Inclusive Kingston Business Looks to Build Community Across the Hudson Valley

This week on In Touch we spoke with Joyce San Pedro and Amy Reed from The Yoga House, an all-inclusive yoga studio with locations in Kingston since 2011, and Highland since 2023.

San Pedro and Reed seized the opportunity to purchase the yoga house in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, and they collectively couldn’t say no. It was a risk, but in the end, it was worth it.

Through dedication and dealing with the fallout from COVID, Reed and San Pedro have built an inspiring and comforting community around the notion of “yoga for every body.” As a BIPOC/LGBTQIA+ owned business, The Yoga House offers a safe space for anyone regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background or body type in order to connect with their breath, body, mind and spirit, in a way that’s right for them.

How Kingston's The Yoga House Thrived Through the Pandemic

On the show, Joyce and Amy dove into how they got into yoga and eventually started teaching it, and explained how battling a global pandemic brought about an array of new challenges. Focusing on community and inclusiveness is difficult when you have to be six feet apart from one another, but Amy and Joyce powered through. They were able to foster a place where people could come in during such a trying time, and enjoy themselves inside the studio, despite what was going on outside.

Joyce and Amy’s main focus is community building. They are “all in” on making their Kingston, Highland, and now Poughkeepsie studio a place where anyone could practice yoga in their own way.

“There are different approaches, what feels good for you, might be different for what feels good for me, and that’s okay! We are going to be kind and support each other in any way that we can. We all just want to feel good, so let’s just find a way to do that together.”

San Pedro explained.

Joyce and Amy are extremely focused on an inclusive environment and work hard to sustain that attitude and mindset. Their main goal is to make everyone feel comfortable and safe, in a space where everyone can connect to themselves and others.

The Yoga House's Next Moves for 2025

Today, The Yoga House is looking to expand over to Dutchess County with a location on Route 9 in Poughkeepsie opening in the spring of 2025.

They offer an array of classes and opportunities for yoga enthusiasts and newcomers alike, no matter your experience or background in yoga! Whether you’re into pilates, strength training, high intensity interval training, or a more calmed down and soothing class, Yoga House is guaranteed to have something for everyone.

If you’re interested in joining a class, or even becoming an instructor, visit them online at www.theyogahouseny.com