Yoga enthusiasts in San Diego are facing restrictions on practicing their craft in public spaces. The city has updated its municipal code to require permits for groups of four or more people engaging in commercial recreational activities like yoga classes. Even free gatherings are being targeted by law enforcement, with park rangers breaking up beachside classes and issuing tickets to instructors.
The original intent of the law was to regulate food vendors, but now it’s being used to control yoga sessions on public property. The city claims safety concerns are the driving force behind the crackdown, but many argue that it’s unnecessary and limits access to outdoor exercise opportunities.
Yoga instructors and participants are pushing back, with some even serving a cease-and-desist letter to city officials. The controversy highlights a government intervention that seems to be creating a problem where none existed before.
