Sunrise Squad: Jai Bhakti Yoga

It is not easy for me to wake up before 8 AM, but IF it is in pursuit of sunrise pictures then I can SOMEHOW manage.

Which is how I found myself freezing to death at 5:45 AM on the Mississippi riverfront to shoot local New Orleans yogi Christina Andrini, founder of the Jai Bhakti Yoga Foundation, who aims to make yoga more accessible for EVERYONE in New Orleans.

Despite its humble beginnings, modern yoga can be an expensive hobby and lifestyle, and it is this obstacle that Jai Bhakti addresses by offering a weekly rotation of donation based and free classes all over the city. The organization is able to sustain these classes through sponsorship and donations.

Testimonial: I personally have practiced with Christina for over a year. It was through one of her weekly classes that I was able to develop my regular practice, something that wasn’t feasible for me with $15 studio drop-ins and $100/month memberships. I can honestly say that she is one of the most positive and supportive yoga teachers, and persons, I’ve met. Her classes feel like a community of people; different in many ways (ages, careers, incomes, hometowns, etc.) and levels of experience but united in our enthusiasm to become better yogis (even if she makes some of the poses look TOO EASY).