Arabi residents recently celebrated the opening of a new business, Swan River Yoga Seva.

The yoga and community center, located upstairs in the Arabi Plaza, offers classes nightly at no set price. Rather, they rely on donations.

One of the yoga instructors at Swan River, Serena Chaudhry, said accessibility to the people living in the area was a priority.

“It’s whatever you can afford,” said Haiyan Khan, one of the co-owners of the center, along with Michelle Baker.

No one checks to make sure participants drop money in the donation box at the door, and participants do not have to bring yoga mats, blocks, blankets or other necessities as they are all provided.

“We’ve been hoping to do this for a long time,” said Baker, who also co-owns several other Swan River Yoga centers throughout New Orleans. However, the St. Bernard location is the only one that offers donation-based yoga classes.

“It’s so precious to come to this area,” Baker said.

Below: Members of Swan River Yoga Seva gathered with community members for a ribbon cutting ceremony.

People who are new to the yoga practice could take the beginner’s class, pictured here, where breathing techniques and basic poses are taught. Other classes available are restorative yoga, temple of self, breathing meditation and knowledge, and goddess unlocked. The complete schedule is available online at www.arabi.swanriveryoga.com.