Sisters Stephanie Pope Caffey (head yoga instructor) and Jennifer Pope (operations manager) grew up in Harlem and opened Bikram Yoga East Harlem to introduce the Harlem community to Bikram yoga. In this article, they talk about how the studio is involved in the Harlem community.

A: Yes. Part of the reason that my sister, Jennifer, and I opened a studio in Harlem is because it's our home. We grew up in the Taft Projects right across the street so we love getting involved in the community in any way that we can. If someone from Harlem comes in and tries yoga here, they benefit-the neighborhood benefits, the community benefits, the city benefits, the country benefits, and the world benefits-just one body and mind at a time.

The beauty of what we do is that we can embrace everybody and everything while being involved in the Harlem community. We're part of a lot of initiatives, such as Harlem Park-to-Park, the Harlem news group organization, and the Power of One initiative, which was started by Hue-man Bookstore owner Marva Allen. All of these initiatives are ways for small businesses in Harlem to support each other and encourage people to go to community businesses-helping to keep the money that's spent in Harlem stay in Harlem. And we love being part of things like that.

We're also going to be at Harlem Week this summer so we can expose yoga to people who might not even think of yoga as an option for improving their health. We would like to see everybody to try some sort of yoga style.
 

Q: What is your community class?

A: Every Friday at 4:30 p.m., the community is invited to come to Bikram Yoga East Harlem and pay what they can for the class. We don't have a minimum price. You just come in, pay what you can, and practice. It's as simple as that. And, every month the proceeds go to different organizations, such as the AIDS walk, the MS walk, Harlem United, and more. People can come to us with suggestions of what to raise money for, and once we research it, we're happy to do it. It's a great way to introduce yoga to people and raise money for a good cause.

Bikram Yoga East Harlem is located at 4 E. 116th Street between 5th and Madison Avenues (on the 2nd and 3rd floors). Visit the studio's website for class schedules and more information about Bikram yoga!

Harlem Word is a series of interviews with Harlem health experts, written by HHPC and reviewed by our Health Advisory Board.

Click the links below to read more from Stephanie Pope Caffey:

•  Yoga and Stress Relief
• The creator of Bikram Yoga
• What is Bikram Yoga
• How she became a yoga instructor