Overview
The Bhakti Yoga Movement Center in Southeast Portland operates as a community sanctuary dedicated to embodied liberation, moving beyond conventional yoga studio models. Under queer, BIPOC, and South Asian ownership, the center offers trauma-informed, anatomically-sound classes while actively creating specialized spaces for BIPOC-only, LGBTQ2S+, and Spanish-speaking communities. With wheelchair accessibility, equity pricing, and a robust hybrid model featuring livestream and on-demand options, the studio ensures inclusive access to practice. The center also runs a Yoga + Somatics School for teacher training and hosts monthly workshops that integrate physical practice with social inquiry, fostering both individual healing and collective transformation through mindful movement.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Amenities
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 6:30 am – 8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | Open | 8:30 am – 8:15 pm |
| Wednesday | Open | 8:30 am – 8:30 pm |
| Thursday | Open | 8:30 am – 8:15 pm |
| Friday | Open | 8:30 am – 5:00 pm |
| Saturday | Open | 7:30 am – 12:00 pm |
| Sunday | Open | 9:00 am – 6:30 pm |
Studio in Details
A Sanctuary for Embodied Liberation
The Bhakti Yoga Movement Center in Southeast Portland operates as more than a conventional yoga studio. It functions as a community space explicitly designed for personal and collective liberation. Under the leadership of co-owners Tara Sonali Miller and Zeyah Rogé, who stepped into their roles in 2021, the center has cultivated an environment that visitors describe as feeling like home. One person noted they “always felt at home in classes at BYMC,” appreciating how the space is held to “feel and reflect.” This sentiment underscores a foundational commitment to creating a container where all aspects of a person—their “laughter, tears, and desire for rest and connection”—are genuinely welcomed. The studio actively resists perfectionism and critiques the ways mainstream wellness industries have centered narrow, exclusionary body ideals. Instead, it positions its yoga and movement practices as “healing salves and portals for exploration,” transformative tools for engaging with the complexities of personal history and current circumstances rather than escaping from them.
The physical space itself, referred to as a sanctuary, supports this intention. The studio is wheelchair accessible with wide doorways, a single-stall, non-gendered ADA-compliant restroom, and a generally low-scent environment. Sanskrit text on the wall, a translation from the Bhagavad Gita, speaks to accepting devotional offerings with a pure heart, hinting at the spiritual undercurrent. The center provides all necessary props—blocks, straps, bolsters, blankets, and more—and offers mat rental and storage options. For those practicing from home via livestream, detailed guidance is given for household prop alternatives, demonstrating a practical and accessible approach to the practice. The overall vibe, as conveyed through the available information, is one of intentional inclusivity, deep reflection, and a shared movement toward healing that is both individual and interconnected.
Trauma-Informed Practices and Specialized Community Spaces
The educational and philosophical approach at The Bhakti Yoga Movement Center is distinctly trauma-informed and anatomically sound. The teachers, who describe themselves as “students first and always,” are well-studied in anatomy and utilize props and creative explorations to deepen practice. Their shared aim is to encourage slowing down and tuning in, countering a fast-paced life with mindful movement. This is evident in the class offerings, which range from absolute beginner-friendly options like Accessible Yoga and Slow + Steady to classes like Align + Flow for those familiar with the basics, alongside strength-based and rest-based sessions. The teaching is deeply inspired by somatic approaches and the wisdom of the nervous system, with a focus on creating spaces where everyone feels included.
A defining and celebrated feature of the center is its creation of specialized classes for shared identity groups. This is a direct application of its equity values. The studio offers BIPOC-only yoga, LGBTQ2S classes, and Spanish-speaking instruction. It hosts weekly by-donation community classes, including queer and trans yoga and community meditation. One visitor specifically praised the “racial justice work and supporting BIPOC teachers and students.” This commitment extends to its equity pricing program, an acknowledgment that standard rates can be prohibitive and a stated desire that “everyone who wants to practice can.” The center is proudly queer, BIPOC, and South Asian-owned, and it frames financial contributions from the community as a way to participate in “rebalancing wealth, increasing access, and living into your values.” This model moves beyond transactional class passes to foster a sense of collective stewardship and mutual support.
Integrated Learning and Hybrid Accessibility
The center’s offerings extend significantly beyond drop-in group classes, embracing a holistic model of integrated learning and flexible access. A core component is its Yoga + Somatics School, which runs teacher training programs focused on building a solid foundation in yoga and somatic practices with an emphasis on equity and accessibility. The goal is to skillfully guide others, indicating a deep investment in education and the responsible dissemination of these practices. Further enriching the regular schedule are monthly workshops and events. These delve into topics like experiential anatomy, seasonal and nature-based practices, Ayurveda, and therapeutic classes, often hosted by both regular and visiting teachers. Examples of past event titles include “Embodied Liberation: Unraveling White Supremacy through Somatic Practices” and “Sensation within Shape: Forward Folds,” pointing to a curriculum that intertwines physical practice with social and philosophical inquiry.
Accessibility is also built into the format of practice. The center operates a robust hybrid model, ensuring participation is not limited by geography or circumstance. All in-person classes held at the SE Portland studio are simultaneously livestreamed, allowing people to “practice with us from anywhere.” Additionally, there is an extensive on-demand class library with over 600 recorded classes, enabling students to practice at their own pace and time. This library is included with an unlimited membership, while other passes are for weekly scheduled classes. The studio uses ScheduleBliss for booking and management, with clear policies for cancellations, late arrivals, and account management. The integration of in-person community, real-time virtual connection, and a vast asynchronous library creates a multifaceted and adaptable ecosystem for sustained practice, reflection, and growth.