Green Business Spotlight: Divinitree in Action

My initial Divinitree Yoga Studio experience was inspired by little more than pragmatism. The urgent need for a yoga fix while my usual studio was closed led me to this centrally-located, recently opened space. As I stepped into the warm, welcoming setting I was delighted to find one of my favorite teachers behind the counter and immediately I felt right at home. In the six months since that day, Divinitree has become a regular part of my schedule, keeping me both in shape and sane when I need it most.

Divinitree is unique as a yoga studio for several reasons. One of my favorites is that it’s also a retail space, beautifully displaying locally produced yoga-wear, jewelry and gift items to browse through between classes. The other is the art component, which is a great way to keep the kids entertained so you can practice in peace, which is reason enough to motivate on even my laziest days!  Intrigued by the concept, I lured owner Ann Averbach over to Java Junction for a fair trade mate and a quick chat to learn more.

As it turns out, Ann is relatively new to Santa Cruz, having relocated from Guatamala where she’d been honing both her business acumen and yoga teaching practice. It was there that Ann and her business partner Irie Sky established fair trade apparel company Divinity Within Designs and hand-sewn accessory line Mayan Connection, which affords Guatamalan artisans the opportunity to earn a fair wage for their work.

Deciding it was time to return to the States, Averbach assessed her options before settling on Santa Cruz, which was already home to partner Sky and a place she had grown to love during her numerous previous visits. The only thing missing was a venue for the type of integrative yoga experience Ann had established in Guatamala, which when combined with a community outreach component, would allow the partners to continue upon their path of compassion-inspired commerce. Thus grew the inspiration for Divinitree. According to Averbach, it has been a community-based project from the start with local friends and supporters eager to help.

The studio came together very quickly once the necessary permits were acquired, opening this past January to an enthusiastic local reception. The partners’ retail ventures had familiarized them with the work of some amazing local designers who were eager to support their efforts. Fair trade apparel designers DreamTime, Om Gaia Tree and Leom Designs all stepped up to become a part of this exciting new endeavor.

The space they acquired happened to be perfect for the donation-based art classes which offer kids access to opportunities they may not otherwise have. Rounding out their program with fun evening community events has enabled them to introduce a younger audience to the venue, all the while keeping it green with Native Energy carbon offsets and regular donations made to underprivileged children in Guatamala.

And six months later this beautifully integrated space has yet to reach its potential. The Divinitree team plans to further their vision through more outreach, such as bringing yoga into the Hispanic community in Watsonville and accepting Homeschool vouchers for their art classes. Ann has a master’s degree in education and is planning to add children’s yoga to the program schedule as well. In the meantime, the positive vibe, diversity of amazing classes and last but not least, the fabulous fair trade apparel are guaranteed to keep me coming back for more.

Learn more: www.divinitree.com