Yoga instructor takes City of San Diego to court over YouTube streaming crackdown
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- In a new twist to the ongoing battle between yoga instructors and the City of San Diego, a lawsuit challenging the city's enforcement of citations for streaming yoga classes on TH-cam has been filed.
These days people sue for anything the pettiness is ridiculous
By some of the comments here it is clear that most of you seeing this do not know the specifics of this situation. For over 20 YEARS this guy Steve has been a menace to Pacific Beach and the residents have been complaining about him and his yoga students completely taking over every square inch of grass on this very small but valuable piece of real estate on the cliffs. Steve has also on a regular basis reprimanded and often screamed at anyone who invades the imaginary bubble he created on public land. This case is being falsely framed as the government encroaching on the rights of the public to do beach yoga. The real truth of the matter is that the only reason the police have become involved is because of the hundreds of local Pacific Beach residents who have been complaining about his illegal classes that are completely taking over public spaces for years now. Steve has been framing these as "free" classes while at the same time he encourages "donations" from the students. So essentially Steve has been using the beach as his own private yoga studio rent free and has evaded taxes for amounts that are estimated to be in the upper tens of thousands of dollars. Steve is by definition a criminal and a public menace. Don't let the Namaste name fool you, Steve is the height of arrogance and should be facing jail time instead of being framed as a hero to democracy. Those of you who have not experienced the disruption to the locals he created do not have the full picture of what is really happening here. The fact that he is even attempting to sue the city shows his level of arrogance and disdain for the locals. All of you have to pay taxes every year right?
I grew up in pb. Lived and worked and surfed in the area my whole life. I’ve seen Steve and his class for the whole time. It’s not that bad. There are a lot of crybabies in that area. The people I’ve seen that get mad at stuff like this are rich cry baby transplants who buy a million dollar home in the community then try and change the things that have made it such a fun place for so long. Most of them don’t even hangout at the law street park ever. They just want to complain about something and ruin other peoples good time. Don’t be a Karen bob.
if people payed for beachfront property, the last thing they want is to see a damn class daily full of people outside their front window. he sure shows arrogance, and is determined to get some money out of this. “free” comes with a price always.
Sharing is caring 😂😂😂😂
@@didymos32 sounds like you should have bought in a place that was actually oceanfront instead of behind a park in pb.
@@surfingsandiego92109 So by your ridiculous logic then I can start advertising my own personal growth seminars on youtube and have hundreds of people show up and give me thousands in donations that I never have to pay taxes on without ever paying a cent in rent. and then where is the line?? So then dozens of people start conducting seminars on the beach until every square inch of the sand is covered in audience members. And then every time surfers try to walk by to get in the water the person speaking stops and yells at you for disrupting their class? I bet you would change your tune instantly then huh. Don't be such a scrubby clueless surfer dork buddy
I hope he wins. The NIMBYs need to lose for a change.
🎉
Are these yoga classes free??? Public use is for no profit individual public use. If he wants to take up so much sqft for himself he should pay a form of property/business taxes on the size of the area he wishes to use. But even then, this is crossing into the realm of public nuisance. Get your own studio and pay rent!
Just leave him alone. ❤
@cherrysandiego3 he's the one making a big stink about it. He's essentially a street vendor. Sam outrage and rules should apply.
This issue is kind of highlighting a lie about public spaces --
In this case, members of the public are enjoying the space they are supposed to be entitled to.
But others prefer that space to actually be empty -- and if too many people actually have reason to show up and use it, then now "that's a problem".
This space exists for recreation and exercise. That is EXACTLY how these residents are using it.
But clearly, residents who live closer like having it empty for themselves.
If one arrives before them and sets up a picnic blanket, are they asked to move? Or are they surrounded by the exercise group performing their moves to the class teacher?
@youewe If someone sets up a picnic blanket, and other residents show up and surround them with picnics, and kids playing catch, and doing yoga, or the dozens of other things people go to the beach and park to do, does that person get the right to complain that they have the right to the beach not being busy around them? No of course not.
To more directly answer your q - I doubt anyone tells them to leave. They might be told that its about to get crowded, which is accurate.
Bingo 💯
The grassy areas are limited in San Diego beach parks. The permit process ensures that all are granted access to them. Plenty. of sand available.
That’s a key point. Grassy areas are limited.
Yoga in the sand would mean people sliding all over. That isn't feasible for yoga, sir
Is he specifically telling them to go there and stream him or are people just going there on their own and streaming him? Because they can stream him from anywhere...reasons why he no longer goes there because he can teach from anywhere. How is it his fault that people keep gathering there to watch his streams?
@cherrysandiego3 are you the attorney taking his money to sue the city? Clearly you have zero concept of public space
I don't live in that area but I know it because my bike route used to take me through there 3-4 times a month. I could see where having a few people could be a cool thing, but I also can see the city's position in banning it too. Seeing that many people on that strip is pretty crazy. I never saw that big a gathering there but there would be some people every 15-30 feet. Maybe half a dozen on a busy day. Not busy enough to keep me from hanging out there for a spell. I think the city just wants to limit the amount of people there because if it did get too busy, I wouldn't even bother.
If they weren't gathering, there would be free space for people to not use. I bet if they banned him that's exactly what would be.
This is a case of green-eyed-gobliness.
What does a free yoga class have to do with cracking down on illegal street vendors? Absolutely nothing. Seems it was intended to open the door to over reach. An excuse to implement restrictions on varius types of "unapproved" gatherings.
“Free” ? Ha!! They get $10 “donations “ per person.
The residents have been complaining about him for years. That is why the police got involved. Residents were the first to tell police he has no permit, showed them the no vendor laws w/o permits and demanding they take action. I bet they will be involved with his lawsuit too. Just get a studio, you have enough people there & on TH-cam to charge money and afford a studio. It’s a public spot, you’re not entitled to it whenever you please. He yells at people for being at that spot, walking around during his classes, interrupting his video. Privileged life
Seriously. They do whatever they can to squeeze a buck out of anyone they can because San Diego is full of greedy people and liars. Oh, to be part of such a fake city ... the help sees just what the financially well endowed cannot bear to admit.
@@00calimona donation is still a donation
@@justamarie9272oh, cool. The Karen brigade
People should be more respectful of his boundaries and space.
You said it yourself: "It's a public spot, you're not entitled to it whenever you please"
Allowing him to conduct his classes is just like leaving the person who goes to the park or beach to read or exercise on their own(heck even an unhoused person take a load off and relax with their things!). Common decency. He began playing on his own and now the schoolyard bullies want in on that action by finding excuses to charge people.
Welcome to California
The least deserving people to ever live in California somehow get to bully even the peaceful Yogi just doing his thing and asking for a bit of decency from people who don't have that respect. How sad. 😢
Instead of giving this guy tickets for streaming on TH-cam, why don't the rangers kick the homeless people out who are living in the restrooms at Law St? Every morning every single stall is locked with someone sleeping in there.
You don't believe people should have a place to sleep, even if it inconveniences you (who might be able to even go in to the the next stall once it opens)? They are sleeping on cold cement and you are the one with the right to complain. Sure. Ok, Jan.
Good to crack down on dangerous yoga activities. I heard people are also sunbathing illegally near the beach.
😂
The sad thing is that the chronically online not-so-bright people will have this comment got directly over their heads 😂
It all doesn't make sense. On a hot sunny day there are hundreds of people on the beach. The next thing you know people will be ticketed for being on the beach enjoying the sun. 💜
Only for a party of more than 50
💯
If food vendors cant use the park w/o permit. Its only fair.
I would love to see some food vendors out by the park or beach, honestly. 😊
@cherrysandiego3 more food, less farts.
I can appreciate people wanting to do Yoga and we need to be sure the beach is accessible to everyone even those who don’t want to be surrounded by hundreds of people in a “class” that doesn’t need to be held at the beach. Maybe they need to go rent a studio and let general beachgoers enjoy the space. This should not be yoga beach but people beach.
Aren't the classes composed of people from the city and don't they have the right to share the beach too, regardless of what they do with their time while there?
@@noblelies not if they are infringing on the general public which they are doing en masse
@r8chlletters
They *are* the beachgoers enjoying the space. 😂
@r8chlletters
(My response to the reply you gave @nobelies:) Remember this thing called "common courtesy'? People know he conducts his classes and even rave about him. People who are unhappy in their own lives see someone having fun and enjoying life and they hate it. Simple as that. Don't be a Karen.
It's a PUBLIC BEACH! What a fantastically creative work-around! Go Steve! *&I've never even done yoga!
It's totally inspirational. I have no desire to go there, I've never seen it, but it's cool as can be.
It's a public beach, but it's being used for private business by several groups without getting a license to do so that would ensure it stays accessible to the public.
@@KralTube2 How would a permitted group ensure public access to the beach? Also, dude teaches for free. Not exactly a business.
@@anotherlover6954 The permits have limits so that you don't have wedding planners, street vendors, and yoga instructors keeping the grassy areas off-limits perpetually from the public. It lets the city arrange for them to be shared. Also he's not doing it for free, he takes "donations" to pretend it's not a business.
@@KralTube2 Well said. But at the same time -- people ought to be able to gather when and how they choose in public. And if people want to donate to a guy then they can. This strikes me as a little overbearing.
Cheers
I bet Nama Steve would be whistling a different tune if he found a soccer or volley ball game going on in the very limited public space he has carved out for himself.
Going out there and intentionally trying to block someone from enjoying life in a way that isn't even hurting others(but, rather, helps them so much that others continuously join and even express gratitude for) is the epitome of a hater. Put away the haterade...life is way too short for that sort of thing.❤
BRO! I just seen JUAN & MARIA on the corner selling TACOS & SMOOTHIES; and they've been there for weeks but dude can't teach FREE YOGA which is ACTUALLY good for your mind, boy & soul.... PSH.... UNREAL!
Oh you think they don't crack down on Juan and Maria...pls
Leave them alone...tsk tsk, look at yourselves: berating the people feeding you to make an honest living.
😂
Just get a permit and be done with this nonsense. Not a yoga issue just a park use issue, same as having a wedding or party on city property. Enough already
Paying to use public space which is made for people to make use of. People are just jealous they didn't think of this first and have their own good times..."misery loves company", as they say.
@cherrysandiego3 possibly, however the CVC code is already written and shows no exemption for yoga gatherings. Simply a number of persons issue in a public space
Apologies CVC is vehicle code. The correct code acronym is on the signs you walk past to practice yoga. After a certain number of people a permit is required. BTW they are not expensive.
Yoga and beach picnics ordinances are being enforced, but sideshows, thefts, and child predators are ignored.
I have never heard of anyone hurt by a yoga on the beach or a picnic on the beach,
Child predators are ignored? If you know of any situations, please do contact law enforcement, and if they are indeed ignoring your request, try another branch perhaps the sheriff. If still being ignored, try contacting politicians starting at the local level. Document all your interactions along the way. Thanks so much in advance for your vigilance.
You hit this one on the nose! Bravo! ❤
@@youeweYeah, my molestor got sent home free pretty much after getting a high five from the cops. Try calling the cops when someone has groomed their victimand see how far that gets you
So what if someone is doing yoga and watching it on TH-cam on the beach but the guy in the video lives outside San Diego like in Oceanside or in Imperial Beach? Can the Rangers enforce anything? What if the Guy in the video lives more than 2 hours away from San Diego?
Public park for anyone, just not commercial business.
@@wstadlockThat's not a commercial business, though. Plus, even if it was: he's not hurting anyone ..just the egos of self centered people who do not understand what it means to be a good neighbor. People are just jealous(probably because they lead very unhappy lives).
@cherrysandiego3 keep telling yourself that over and over, otherwise you might develop some logical thoughts
Ha, ha. Why is the grass so brown., in the city's highly valuable piece of real estate ? Then again, Mister Yoga took donations! Bet they are cheep- cheep since he's been limited to yelling from the Bluetooth speaker ! 😂
We don’t want classes on the bluff or the beach or the parks. Use your studio
Try looking away and respect others' choice of how to use their time and freedom. Remember "freedom"?
Ive seen his stuff there too i used to go to PB literally every weekend, ngl though he does get pretty weird about being in his circle space from what ive witnessed myself.. not only that he did say he's getting money out of some donations. I'd say thats a smart man whos running a business tax free on a city beach 😂😂😂😂
If anything, people should be better about respecting his boundaries. Not try to justify acting like straight up jealous bullies.
@cherrysandiego3 the beach shouldn't be used to run a tax free business simple.
Oh, no. People don't respect his space and suddenly he is the "weird one". How does that make any sense? This is just public outcry about envious beach residents who see a guy having a good time(stripped down to the core, that is what he is doing: enjoying life).
Don't be a Karen.
@@fabian.s550it isn't a business, babe
Why do city and county officials constantly cost us taxpayer money for their incompetence. Instead of doing their jobs?
Costing taxpayers money is their job, sweetie
Steve is a freeloader period he assumes he has rights above the rights of others and he must be held accountable if he abuses free and unfettered access. The fact it’s free does not make it Not a business because he lives off a following no different to Instagram. By collecting a large group consistently he is spreading his reputation as an instructor which has residual value as a business. He’s profiting for free and he should if certified in Yoga be obliged to pay fees and hold a business permit. It’s not the city’s business if he collects revenues it’s about the use of public land that is for all present in the community. There is no difference if 20 yogis lie down on a mat for three hours or 20 homeless sleeping over night or during the day
😂 you can't be for real
@ oh I’m dead serious obviously you are a detriment to the real California values. As an Angelino we learn to share because we all want to be in SoCal probably the most coveted society in the world. Greedy little LIBRAL freeloaders have no additional rights than anyone else that wants to just sit on the grass and particularly next to a group of MILFs and Ladyboys reeking of BO with sweaty pits and crotches grunting to sit in a Lotus position. Give me a break Wokers are over MAGA and Law and Order Respect Thy Neighbor and be blessed we are American 🇺🇸 living in the USA not some other third world shithole! Yoga is also antisemitic and anti Christian it’s a cult religion run by weirdos and apparently rapists as in the Bikram scandal. This past time has nothing to be proud of and destroys the joints. It’s actually unhealthy
Westerners always remix Indian cultures
Keep your IT people, we don’t need them in the United States.
*satanic culture
You don't know the half of it...Christians believe yoga is satanic because you are somehow "worshipping a false idol". Insane.
@@cherrysandiego3 yes they killed so many by calling them pagans and what not, its sad
Let health & wellness prevail!
Yoga is the most glorious use of that space! That is priceless public property perched above the ocean, right across the street from Steve's house, and on the grass which is so much more comfortable to do yoga than on the sand. Unobscured ocean view, healing therapeutic ocean breeze & we're sun-drenched in vitamin D, beach Yoga is indescribably healing to the body, mind, & soul.
If everyone on the planet did yoga, there would be no hatred or wars or greed or misunderstandings.
Let Steve have legal right to continue his beautiful offerings! He is doing a marvelous service for this world.
The last thing the world needs is another beautiful strip of grassy beachside cliff to lay dormant and unused. People only legally allowed to stand there and do nothing? No!
I’m guessing that setting up a picnic blanket would be allowed? What makes you think it must remain vacant? Some other rules for this area?
@youewe Why is sitting with friends eating food in a public park legal, but doing yoga with friends in a public park isn't legal?
Angelina! 🎉 Yes to all this ❤
It’s such a great class. The land of the free, they say…
For real.
It's like watching irl South Park
😂😂😂
Thats absolutely unconstitutional. Take it to court
Good for Steve! The city has better things to take care of.
Tax/permit revenues are way up high on their to do list, get your peripheral vision checked soon
@@wstadlock You probably have absolutely no idea how permit revenue is allocated. If not then why do you really care?
@UpUpDnDnLtRtLtRtBAStart very much I do know, starts with the police personnel deemed necessary for the type of permits and expected amount of participants. Do you the next?
Government getting too big.
These reporters are so full of them selves using hand motions to discuss a yoga class. Normie pos
What are you in about? That's liketweeker talk lol
Do the yoga in youre houses watching you tube
Sunlight containing vitamin D is strongly recommended by our Government and it's health agencies .
It's more soothing with a million dollar view, at no expense
They want everyone to have to see And smell their dirty clams while they roll around in the grass spread eagle
Part of the experience is being amongst others in a shared space with shared "energy"(we pick up social interaction in person. Getting to feel others' presence and feeling that real face-to-face interaction is vital for living healthy lives). ❤
yoga by yourself. why bring a crowd? break away from the group and be alone with it.
No. Don't wanna
This is one of the coolest things in San Diego. Let's get these totalitarians *OFF OUR BACKS!*
This guy needs to take his hallucination drugs and call it a day.
You sound like you're ready to give him his first time. 😂
Steve is on a slippery slope. Just rent a studio to do yoga other than beach. Problem solved!
The beach below is 20 times wider and miles long, he needs to leave that narrow strip of grass, between the walkway/boardwalkish and cliff outlook.
There's always been a permit required for more than 50 people
Steve is in the right. People just don't get how someone has so much staying power without having to hassle you with flyers to come join. He's just having a good time in a shared public space...using it for what it is for.
@@wstadlockYou can't really do Yoga on the beach. too sandy. Steve is fine where he is at. It's the misplaced stick up bums we have to worry about, hassling him.
Yoga = 🥱😴🥱😴🥱😴🥱😴
Is not liking exercise supposed to somehow be offensive? Trolls really do be working overtime in order to get some sort of attention. Here you go. ❤
@cherrysandiego3 I can bet that you don't do exercise or yoga, look at you!!
This is news? SMH ... Yall fight and complain about the dumbest shizzz lol
That's what we call privilege: when the law cares more for arresting people doing yoga instead of helping the people who have to resign to stealing just to have a place to stay at night
Never forget fu long gong in China
Oh, cool, another racist representative of SD.
just kidding: not cool, dude, just immature and uneducated.