New Members’ Deep Expertise in Yoga Service, Inclusion, and Accessibility Will Help to Steer Yoga Alliance’s Continued Transformation
Arlington, Va. (May 17, 2018) –Yoga Alliance, the largest not-for-profit organization serving the yoga community, today announced the addition of three new members to its board of directors. These individuals are recognized leaders within the global yoga community who have unique perspectives and expertise that will help the organization advance its mission to support the development of yoga professionals and advocate for safety in yoga.
“We are so pleased to welcome our new board members as an important step in the continued evolution of Yoga Alliance,” said Board Chair Kerry Maiorca. “Each individual has made a personal commitment to expanding the accessibility and inclusivity of yoga and to honoring the roots and integrity of this great tradition. Their shared insights and experience will be integral as Yoga Alliance continues to advance the state of yoga teaching today and to evolve and elevate the profession in the years to come.”
Yoga Alliance’s dedicated volunteer board of directors provides the overall strategic direction and vision for the organization, which seeks to advance health, healing, and happiness through quality yoga education. These individuals were sought for the Yoga Alliance board based on their diverse experience bringing the gifts of yoga to individuals and communities.
“Our organization is transforming to better serve the yoga community and is evolving with great care and a commitment to living yogic values,” said Yoga Alliance and Yoga Alliance Foundation President and CEO David Lipsius, who joined the organization in May 2017. “Adding these accomplished experts to our volunteer board gives me great hope for the future.”
“Each of the three exceptional people joining our board has demonstrated a commitment to reaching underserved, marginalized, and under-represented communities,” Lipsius added. “They will greatly enhance our efforts to foster inclusion in yoga, and their experience will help support all professional yoga educators holding the Yoga Alliance credential.”
Newly welcomed board members are:
- Saraswathi Vasudevan, internationally renowned trainer and expert in yoga;
- Leslie Salmon Jones, founder of Afro Flow Yoga® and social activist bringing yoga to diverse populations, youth, and community organizations; and
- Thierry Chiapello, a military veteran and athlete, who teaches yoga to underserved populations, including veterans and the Department of Defense military and civilian communities.
More information available here.
