Recap: Honoring Warriors in San Diego

Yoga Alliance® staff attended Yoga Journal LIVE! San Diego from June 25-29, 2015. Over 3,500 yogis traveled to sunny California to meet other practitioners and teachers, attend lectures and enjoy a wide range of vendors in the Yoga Market.

As with many Yoga Journal events, the weekend began with a Friday Night Lecture Series. Yoga Alliance spokesperson Andrew Tanner, E-RYT 500, gave brief remarks to a crowd of about 175 people. Tanner also introduced Google Executive Gopi Khalyil as the evening’s moderator.

Throughout the evening, yoga influencers including former CNN war correspondent Bhava Ram, E-RYT 500, and former NFL all-star Keith Mitchell shared powerful stories about the benefits of yoga. Mitchell spoke about how yoga helped him during his playing career. He now works to bring yoga and its benefits to other NFL players, veterans, and underserved communities. Later in the weekend, Ram offered an outdoor class attended by over 150 veterans, one of the most memorable parts of the weekend.

On Saturday, Tanner gave his presentation, “The Future of Yoga.” That evening at the Presenter’s Dinner, he discussed YA’s vision and goals for 2015. The crowd applauded YA’s recent advocacy victories in the Encinitas School District and scholarship opportunities for teachers and schools.

In the Yoga Market, YA staff and volunteers met with attendees and spent time answering their questions. As with other events attended this year, part of our booth transformed into a professional photo session where over 150 attendees received free headshots.

We are grateful to all who joined us in San Diego! We hope to see you at one of the upcoming events on Our Calendar. Can’t make it to an in-person event? Check out our Online Workshops.