Gina Garcia stumbled upon yoga 20 years ago, when a scheduled step aerobics class was switched to a beginning yoga class.

She spent a large part of her life sharing the news of the day as a journalist, for KCRA-TV in Sacramento, and as the Capitol Correspondent for KTTV-TV in Los Angeles. Not long after giving birth to her third son, she decided to choose a path that would allow her to bring more grace to her family life, and to those she crosses paths with every day. She knew that yoga made her happy, and that practicing yoga opened her heart to a world of joy, love, and compassion. Gina’s focus shifted from sharing the news to sharing the gifts of yoga with as many people as possible. All of the walls she had created in her life disappeared, and she was left with a heart filled with love.

In 2011, Gina launched “Yoga Across America (YAA),” a non-profit corporation that taught yoga and wellness educational programs across the country, to diverse communities who did not have access to yoga. YAA had a national strategic partnership with Dr. Oz’s “HealthCorps” program, teaching weekly classes to students in high schools throughout the U.S. YAA also offered yoga to military members and their families.

In 2015, the Baptiste Foundation took over Yoga Across America, continuing the work started by Gina. The Foundation inspires communities across the country including programs in schools, for veterans, people in addiction recovery, and many other locations where people don’t have access to the practice or can’t afford it. Gina remains active with the Baptiste Foundation and serves as a board member.

Gina is also the founder of “Yoga in the Park,” Sacramento’s largest weekly yoga class, which she began in the spring of 2009. The class at McKinley Park continues to draw hundreds of students every Saturday morning.

Gina is a 500-hour certified yoga teacher. She teaches workshops, teacher trainings, and retreats around the world. She also teaches weekly classes in Sacramento, where she lives with her three sons. Gina is an inspiring force with a vision of yoga being available to everyone - everywhere, and she is well on her way.