BLACK HISTORY MONTH: STEPHANIE POPE LOFGREN
bodē nyc celebrates Black History Month with Stephanie Pope Lofgren
In addition to being an accomplished Broadway performer, Stephanie Pope Lofgren is also a veteran yogi with more than two decades of experience on the podium. For eight years she owned her own studio here in NYC (Bikram Yoga East Harlem) and now teaches for bodē nyc when her schedule will allow. She’ll be leading a special Live Stream Charity Class on Monday, February 14, and so we wanted to chat with her a bit about her journey and the charity she chose.
DONNA RUBIN: How did you first come to the practice?
STEPHANIE POPE LOFGREN: I took my first Bikram Yoga class in 1989 in Beverly Hills, California and I experienced, first-hand, the amazing physical, mental, and spiritual benefits the yoga offered. But I always wished that more people could have access to this healing practice… more people who looked like me.
DONNA: Access is so important.
STEPHANIE: The community I grew up in, East Harlem, and communities like mine historically have had higher rates of obesity, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and heart disease with limited access to good healthcare.
DONNA: Is that what pushed you to open your own studio?
STEPHANIE: I opened Bikram Yoga East Harlem with my sister Jennifer in 2008 in an effort to give back to my community. To educate and give access to a healing modality that seemed to be available only to a certain segment of society. At that time we were thought of as pioneers. There were only maybe a handful of Original Hot Yoga studios in underserved communities, if that many. We served the East Harlem community for eight years and were named one of the top studios in the country.
DONNA: Do you think that helped change people’s perspective?
STEPHANIE: Now, as I travel around the country performing, I am thrilled to not only find many yoga studios in communities of color, but to also see people of color taking those 26+2 classes, experiencing the healing benefits in studios everywhere! I am always saying this. Access and awareness is EVERYTHING!
DONNA: On Monday, February 14th you’re teaching a special Live Stream Charity class to help celebrate Black History Month. All proceeds are being donated to charity. Can you talk a bit about the charity you chose and why it’s so important to you?
STEPHANIE: Throughout its eight years the studio I owned often partnered with local Harlem organizations. Brotherhood Sister Sol (BroSis) was one of those organizations where our studio offered paid work opportunities for its young members. I was always very impressed with the teens. Their goals, their commitment, and their general outlook on life. They were assigned day-to-day tasks including front desk duties, answering phones, signing students into classes, etc. We also gave them the opportunity to take class during their shift. Many discovered the yoga for the first time this way, and wound up loving it.
DONNA: And you felt the organization was a big part of the success of this program?
STEPHANIE: These young people showed up on time and were enthusiastic about the work. They seemed to be a clear reflection of the work being done at Brotherhood Sister Sol. Often they would share their dreams beyond high school and their desire to go to college. Having grown up in East Harlem, I know first hand the challenges of finding positive role models, staying out of trouble, staying motivated, and realizing that the world is bigger than what you see around you. BroSis focuses on and is passionate about developing young leaders through educational achievement, social justice, and cultural awareness. The organization trains, supports, and prepares local Harlem youth, providing them with the tools necessary to make a difference in themselves and in the world.
DONNA: I’m so glad we can help support an organization like this.
STEPHANIE: You know, in the yoga community we often share that quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” The Brotherhood Sister Sol has been doing just that since 1994. Developing agents of change. And it’s been my pleasure to help them fulfill their mission in whatever way I can.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CHARITY CLASS
Original Hot Yoga 90
Stephanie Pope Lofgren
Monday, February 14 @ 12:00pm