Yoga classes have resumed at San Diego beaches after a federal appeals court ruled that a city ordinance banning classes of four or more people at shoreline parks and beaches was unconstitutional. The court found that teaching yoga constitutes 'protected speech' under the First Amendment, overturning a previous San Diego judge's decision.
Yoga classes resume at San Diego beach as court says they are ‘protected speech’
CaliforniaSan DiegoUnited StatesYogaWest Coast
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Yoga classes have resumed at San Diego beaches after a federal appeals court ruled that a city ordinance banning classes of four or more people at shoreline parks and beaches was unconstitutional. The court found that teaching yoga constitutes 'protected speech' under the First Amendment, overturning a previous San Diego judge's decision.
Trending- 1 2023: San Diego and county drew 32 million visitors.
- 2 2024: San Diego passed ordinance banning yoga classes of four or more people at shoreline parks and beaches.
- 3 Since ordinance took effect: Steven Hubbard cited at least 10 times.
- 4 Wednesday (June 4, 2025): US ninth circuit court of appeals overruled a San Diego judge, ruling teaching yoga is 'protected speech.'
- 5 This week (early June 2025): Yoga classes resumed at San Diego beaches.
- 6 Thursday (June 5, 2025): Steven Hubbard resumed teaching at Pacific Beach.
- Yoga classes can resume on San Diego beaches
- Legal precedent for teaching yoga as protected speech
- Triumph for community over perceived elite interests
What: A federal appeals court ruled that San Diego's ordinance banning yoga classes of four or more people at beaches was unconstitutional, allowing classes to resume.
When: Published June 6, 2025; This week (classes resumed); Wednesday (court ruling); 2024 (city ordinance passed); 2023 (San Diego and county visitors).
Where: San Diego, California, USA (shoreline parks, beaches, Pacific Beach).
Why: The city argued the ban was for commercial activity and orderly use of parks; Instructors argued it violated their First Amendment right to speak; The court agreed with the instructors, finding teaching yoga is protected speech.
How: Instructors Steven Hubbard and Amy Baack sued the city. A three-judge panel of the US ninth circuit court of appeals overruled a lower court decision.