Federal Appeals Court Rules San Diego Yoga Ban Unconstitutional

A federal appeals court ruled that San Diego's ban on teaching yoga classes in public parks and beaches is unconstitutional, affirming that such classes are protected free speech under the First Amendment. The court found that the city failed to demonstrate any plausible threat to public safety or public enjoyment posed by yoga, and noted that the ban constituted content-based discrimination by singling out yoga while allowing other group activities. Plaintiffs Steven Hubbard and Amy Baack, local yoga instructors, successfully challenged the ordinance, which prohibited yoga classes of four or more people without a permit, leading to citations and enforcement actions against instructors. The ruling overturned a lower court decision that had sided with the city and included a preliminary injunction preventing enforcement of the ban while the case proceeds. City officials are currently evaluating the ruling and considering possible next steps, including whether to appeal. Meanwhile, yoga classes have been allowed to resume in San Diego's shoreline parks and beaches during the ongoing legal dispute.