WESTERN MASS. – The Yoga Alliance Foundation (YAF), a nonprofit, international organization, recently selected 25 yoga professionals from seven countries for its Teaching for Equity Program (TFE), including Paul Menard, an Agawam resident and director of the Karuna Center for Yoga and Healing Arts in downtown Northampton.

The TFE program allows for teachers to increase and offer yoga in communities that face barriers to the practice. TFE is “an ongoing initiative that supports yoga professionals across the globe who serve for little or no pay in bringing the healing benefits of yoga to communities who have experienced marginalization,” according to the YAF.

“Each of the participating TFE teachers serves a community which has historically less access to yoga, including but not limited to LGBTQQIA+ [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, plus,] BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, People of Color,] differently-abled, those with substance-use disorders, schools in under-resourced areas, correctional institutions, and communities with limited geographic or online access to yoga,” continued the release.     

The teachers represent the countries of Canada, Colombia, India, Kenya, Lebanon, Peru, the United States and Puerto Rico. Individuals were selected based on their economic vulnerability, along with experience in both teaching and familiarity with the communities in which they serve.
Through TFE, the teachers received stipends that offered 10 free yoga classes to their communities, in addition to professional and personal guidance to support their long-term success.

Menard has been a member of the YAF since 2011, and director of Karuna for 10 years. He has been teaching yoga for over a decade, including a variety of locations in Springfield, West Springfield and Enfield, CT. In total, he has been practicing yoga for nearly 20 years.

“Western Mass. is where I’ve devoted [my] efforts,” said Menard.

When the pandemic began in 2020, Menard recalled, “I was looking for new opportunities to look out to new students during the pandemic. Over the last few decades, [yoga] has not been accessible to everyone.” He explained that the practice itself costs money and takes time.

In an effort to assist his community during a time of isolation, Menard reached out to the YAF and applied for a teaching grant. After having received this grant, Menard decided to use this money a little “differently.”

“The first leg was an online class.” The online class lasted 10 weeks, from March 22 until May 24. Participants were able to join via Zoom, as Menard taught the classes himself. He believed this was the only option due to the severity of the pandemic and the challenges it presented.

There was no limit to how many were able to attend these classes, however Menard said the majority of the groups ranged between four to 12 people. He described these as “intimate sessions.”

“Quite a few participants were from Northampton, and also outside of the area, reaching all the way to Boston, Cape Cod, etc. Zoom allowed for a wider reach,” said Menard. “When [we] highlighted the first program, [I] could see the missing concept of community. It was a quiet presence.”

As Menard considers the “second leg” of how he will utilize the stipends received, he is hoping to do something more community based once the pandemic subsides. Some of those ideas include a clothing swap, offering a shiatsu massage, and so on.

Currently, Karuna, located at 25 Main St., #341, is offering both in-person and online classes. Daily free mediation can be accessed online. For those who wish to attend in-person, a mask is required due to Northampton’s mask mandate. “It’s a safe space,” said Menard.

The Center has been around for over 20 years. Karuna is located on the third floor, which Menard shared, is an “incredible space and sanctuary. It’s a space for the community, among many other things.” He went on to say that it’s a home for countless individuals, along with many guest teachers who utilize the space.

To be selected as one of the 25 individuals for this program, Menard claimed is “an incredible honor.” Through his work, Menard has had the pleasure of meeting professional yoga instructors from Africa, Central America, and many other places.

“It’s an honor to receive it personally and [get] recognition and approval for a group like us in Western Mass.,” said Menard. “Us in the LGBTQQIA+ are being seen and being offered opportunities.”

He added, “We’re a very liberal state, but so many are being discriminated against.” Stemming from this, Menard said unfortunately, there are many who don’t seek out practices such as exercise. “It’s a sad statistic when [it involves] physical and mental health.”

Menard continued, “If yoga ever feels like it’s out of reach – yoga or [an] opportunity for better health, always ask. Always have an open hand for anyone who needs assistance.”

For additional information on Paul Menard and the Karuna Center, visit https://www.karunayoga.com/.