Seattle Yoga Studio Closed After Hosting ‘No Whites Allowed’ Classes

In one of the most bizarre Washington state stories of the year, Rainier Beach Yoga Studio suspended all classes after receiving hate mail for hosting sessions for non-whites only.

The Seattle-area studio agreed to host classes by a group called "People of Color Yoga" started by five gay people of various races who feel uncomfortable in traditional yoga classes made up of mostly white women.

Because yoga puts people in compromising positions, it is an exercise best done with people you feel comfortable with. Many, many studios have "ladies-only" nights for this reason. The "People of Color" group thought it would be a good idea to have classes specifically for minorities.

The founders thought people would understand when they asked white people to please respect the goals of the group and not attend.

But instead people reacted the way you'd expect them to: with confusion! How can a class be focused on inclusion and acceptance and ask certain people to stay away?

The owner of the studio has apologized and said the goals of the group were not articulated well and exclusion was never the purpose.