San Diego, known for its beautiful coastline and relaxed atmosphere, has recently been caught up in a controversy surrounding a group of yoga instructors and their free beachside classes. These instructors have been informed by the city that they can no longer hold their sessions without a permit, as they fall under the recently updated vendor laws. Despite not charging any fees for their classes, the city has deemed yoga as a ‘service’ and therefore subject to the vending laws. This has caused uproar among the instructors and their students, who have relied on these classes for relaxation and connection with the community.
The updated vendor laws were primarily meant to enforce regulations on food vendors and prevent large gatherings in public park spaces. However, the new language has been interpreted to include recreational activities such as yoga. As per the ordinance, any commercial or recreational activity taking place on city property must obtain a permit and stick to a designated area.
Additionally, classes with more than four people require a permit, while those with four or fewer can only be conducted in a specific area. The yoga instructors were taken by surprise, as they had been conducting their classes on San Diego’s coastline for over a decade without any issues.
The city’s decision has caused confusion and shock among the yoga instructors, who argue that their small classes and donation-based model do not fall under vendor laws. Danielle MacGreggor, one of the instructors, expressed her disappointment and frustration in an interview with Fox 5.
She stated that park rangers had even used large trucks to block access to their classes and that every time they arrived at a new location, park rangers would be ready to disrupt their session. MacGreggor believes that the city’s decision is ‘archaic’ and ‘out of touch’ with the community’s needs, especially in a post-COVID world where people are seeking ways to de-stress and connect with others.
Jackie Kowalik, another instructor who was handed a ticket by park rangers after her class, voiced her concerns about being unable to use the parks they pay for with their tax dollars as they see fit. Both MacGreggor and Kowalik have taken action against the city, issuing a cease and desist letter to city leaders, including city attorney Mara Elliot and Mayor Todd Gloria. In the letter, they argue that the law did not make it clear that yoga classes would fall under vendor laws and suggest that the classes may even qualify as free speech and be exempt from the ordinance.
The yoga instructors are also planning to file a lawsuit against the city and have requested an injunction to prevent any enforcement of the ordinance. They claim that their classes are a form of pure speech and that they are not charging any fees or blocking access to public spaces.
According to the letter, passively accepting donations does not fall under the category of ‘inherently intrusive or potentially coercive’ and should therefore be protected. A meeting between the instructors and city officials has been scheduled for this Friday in an attempt to resolve the issue.
The controversy has sparked a debate within the community, with some supporting the city’s decision to enforce the law and others expressing their disappointment at being unable to attend the free classes. Mayor Todd Gloria has acknowledged the situation and expressed his willingness to find a solution that works for the city and the yoga instructors.
He has also stated that the current vendor laws were never intended to include activities such as yoga in public parks and that discussions are ongoing to determine a more appropriate resolution. The city of San Diego and the yoga instructors await the outcome of the meeting with hopes of finding a compromise that will satisfy both parties.
