Interview with Brina Lord on Accessible Yoga's New Membership Program

By Patrice Priya Wagner

I recently spoke to Brina Lord, Accessible Yoga's General Manager, about the launch of an exciting new membership program that gives rewards to participants and helps sustain Accessible Yoga. Here's what Brina had to say about it.

Priya: What is the purpose of the Accessible Yoga Membership Program?

Brina: Our Membership program is a way to engage our community of supporters, who are invested in the mission and vision of Accessible Yoga. With the membership program, we are seeking new ways to empower and connect our community and support the operational stability of our organization. Our program will sustain Accessible Yoga with ongoing revenue and help us build an international community that supports our work. Sustaining members will receive many benefits, including a listing in the Member Directory, a new feature on our website that we are very excited about.

Priya: If I'm an AY Ambassador, do I have to become a member?

Brina: Ambassadors are not required to become members, but they may be interested in enjoying the many benefits of becoming a sustaining member, such as a listing in our Member Directory – a searchable map that will help grow their own network and visibility. Members will also receive great Accessible Yoga gifts and, at certain levels, discounts to conferences, and access to special programs, such as Amber Karnes’ Chair Yoga Program. We are going to be launching a new Accessible Yoga Ambassador program soon that will ask Ambassadors to commit to an annual action item; becoming a member would be one of the many action item options to choose from!

Priya: Is it just for individuals or can a yoga studio join too?

Brina: We have a special membership level just for yoga studios! With an annual gift, yoga studios can become an Accessible Yoga Supporting Studio and will receive a featured listing in our Member Directory, a window decal to display to the public, a social media and blog post highlight, and more!

Priya: Has the program already started and how do we get more info about joining?

Brina: The program was officially launched at the St. Louis Conference this past June 2019. You can join by going to the Membership page of our website https://accessibleyoga.org/membership/and selecting the level that is right for you.

Priya: Is there anything else you would like to tell people about this exciting new program?

Brina: Memberships are tax deductible and your support will play a key role in the sustainability and growth of Accessible Yoga. We are so proud of the work we have done in the past few years and are overwhelmed by the support of our community. We hope to continue our mission and expand our service in the coming years, and we can only do it with your support. We are so grateful for your part in making yoga accessible to all people!

Brina Lord lives in Brooklyn, NY and serves as General Manager of Accessible Yoga, with much of her focus on project management for the Accessible Yoga Conferences. She holds a 200-hr yoga teacher certificate from Integral Yoga Institute in New York City, where she also serves as part-time staff in various roles of administration. She has specialty training in Accessible Yoga and Kidding Around Yoga with experience teaching at Integral Yoga Institute and the NYC public school system. Before moving to New York, Brina worked in Chicago as a Stage Manager for multiple non-profit theatre companies. She was born and raised in a small town in central Minnesota, where she enjoys escaping the city and communing with nature at her family’s lake cabin.


This post was edited by Patrice Priya Wagner, co-editor of Accessible Yoga blog and member of the Board of Directors.

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