In 2012, Circle Yoga became Circle Yoga Cooperative, the first Yoga Cooperative in the DC-area, and likely the largest in the country. When my daughter began telling me about indigenous societies and cooperative ideas about business I realized that a cooperative business would reflect more equanimity and provide a fairer distribution of power and wealth. The teachers and staff at Circle Yoga were already getting perks that are unusual for most yoga studios. For example, our teachers and staff earn living wages, enjoy free classes, and have input into decisions. The studio also provides plenty of vacation and even family leave for staff. But we wanted our teachers and staff, as well as our students, to have an even stronger voice in studio activities and allow for profit sharing for our workers. The members of the cooperative are not responsible for any debts or other obligations of the cooperative.
All of our programs, from Budding Yogis kids classes to adult classes, to workshops and events are part of the Cooperative.
We offer Fair Trade and Sustainable Yoga.
Current Discounts, Meeting Dates and Events for CYC Members.
For students
Students can choose to become members by paying a nominal $20 fee per year. If a student chooses not to become a member, they will continue to receive the support and welcome that they are used to receiving at Circle Yoga. If they choose to become a member, they can vote for two student-members of the co-op board and potentially serve on the board themselves. They also receive discounts on single-day workshops and merchandise, along with periodic special events for members. The idea is that those who want to become more active participants in the CYC community could choose to become members, and those happy with the amount of involvement they have now, could choose to remain loyal non-member students.
Two students are elected to the CYC board at the annual member meeting in September. The CYC board meets three times per year to make major decisions about studio operations and finances. In addition to the student-members, the board also consists of the founder, one desk worker, and one teacher. The board usually includes three other employees. The CYC board appoints a working group of studio employees, normally the directors and assistant directors of studio programs, business manager, and marketing director, who together carry out the board actions and are responsible for day-to-day studio operations.
Applications for nominees for the CYC board will be solicited in August in advance of the September annual meeting.
Become a Student-Member (1 year $20) by clicking below:
Winner of the 
