Berkshire Yoga Festival 2026

Yoga does not exist in a vacuum. The realities shaping our communities— race, immigration, identity, power, and politics— often arrive in our classrooms, whether we acknowledge them or not.
In this timely and thought-provoking panel, Seane Corn, Nikki Myers, and Jyll Hubbard-Salk will explore the ethical responsibilities of yoga teachers in a rapidly changing social landscape. Together, we’ll examine what it means to hold space for healing while navigating systems that impact safety, belonging, and human dignity.
Through the lenses of lived experience, social justice, recovery, trauma-informed teaching, and spiritual practice, our panelists will discuss how yoga can serve as a tool for resilience, connection, and collective care without bypassing the realities people face outside the studio walls.
Expect a candid, compassionate conversation that invites curiosity over certainty and reflection over reaction. Together, we’ll explore questions many teachers are asking: What is the role of yoga in times of social and political tension? How do we create spaces that are inclusive, ethical, and responsive to the needs of diverse communities? And how can we remain grounded in practice while engaging with the world around us?
This panel is for teachers, practitioners, and community leaders seeking to deepen their understanding of yoga’s role in healing—not only the individual, but the collective.