There are some movements that begin with a plan. Others, with a vision. But once in a while, something beautiful and unexpected blooms from the quietest of places—a yearning, a breath, a whisper in the middle of a storm.
The Acacia Movement was born during one of humanity’s most collective moments of pause—the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when movement itself was restricted, two yoga teachers, Jaymee and Nica, chose to return to what grounded them the most: the mat.
“We didn’t plan this. We just wanted to teach again,” says Jaymee, co-founder of Acacia Movement. “Regardless of who showed up to class.”
What followed was nothing short of extraordinary.
Planting the Seeds: Inception in the Midst of Stillness
As the world retreated indoors, Jaymee and Nica quietly stepped out—mats in hand, hearts open. What started as modest outdoor sessions slowly rippled across the neighborhood. The movement wasn’t loud; it didn’t need to be. It was sincere.
“We were just hoping people would come,” Nica recalls. “We wanted to share how yoga helped us, especially as moms. We needed to breathe again, and we prayed that others did too.”
In a world fraying at the edges from isolation and fear, their intention was simple: to offer people a space to breathe again.
Rooted in Connection: Cultivating a Community
Building a yoga community amid a pandemic was no easy feat. Physical distancing, masked breathing, and uncertainty were constants. Yet what emerged was not just resilience—but radical tenderness.
“We got to know each student—really know them,” Jaymee shares. “We made ourselves available even outside the mat. We listened.”
Nica adds, “We sprinkled challenges into class, made people laugh, shared snacks after. From those simple things, real connections grew.”
For someone like Binnie—who joined as a student and is now a certified teacher—this warmth was transformative:
“My most memorable moment was teaching my first class, and everyone from the community showed up. That kind of support? It stays with you forever.”
A Movement That Transforms You
I’ve lived in my neighborhood, Acacia Estates in Taguig City, for over three years. As an introvert, I’ve always found it difficult to connect. But something shifted the day I walked into one of Acacia’s community classes. That’s where I met Kaka, one of their amazing teachers. And slowly, without pressure, I found myself part of something.
View this post on Instagram
I may not attend every day. But on the days that I do, I carry with me not just the movement, but the shared energy, stories, and kindness of the women (and men) who show up—not just for themselves but for each other.
“Yoga became a way of life,” Binnie reflects. “I started just to pass the time. But it gave me mindfulness, balance, and a sense of community. It helped me grow, connect, and find peace beyond the physical practice.”
After years of working in the fast-paced world of advertising, this space became my return to breath. To self. This is why I’m writing this: to thank the women behind the Acacia Movement. Because they’ve helped not just me—but countless others—find a rhythm again. On and off the mat.
A Movement in Full Bloom: Growth and Evolution
View this post on Instagram
What began as a hopeful return to teaching has become a deeply rooted community.
“Many of our members created their own little groups. Some took teacher training and are now teaching with us,” Nica beams. “That warms our heart more than anything.”
“All Acacia Movement teachers were once students,” Jaymee adds. “That’s the kind of growth that means the most—it’s organic, it’s lived.”
From Student to Teacher: Passing the Light On
One of them is Binnie, whose first teaching experience was met with overwhelming support:
“This community changed my life. When I became a certified yoga teacher, everyone showed up for my first class. That kind of support stays with you.”
Then there’s Pilar, a creative director by day and a yoga teacher in her unfolding:
“I moved into the neighborhood in the middle of the pandemic—when masks were still the norm and social events felt like a thing of the past. Then we stumbled upon Nica’s poolside class. There weren’t too many attendees back then, and it was easy to feel right at home.”
“If anything, my core principle is simple: respecting that the practice looks different for everyone. It’s not my place to define what yoga is or isn’t. The best I can do is hold space for anyone who chooses to show up.”
Pilar’s own monthly ritual of 108 Sun Salutations evolved into an unspoken community tradition:
“We never announce it—it’s not a class. But now, random people show up and flow with us. There’s something special about sharing this monthly reset with neighbors-turned-friends.”
“Whether I’m guiding a class or leading a creative team, I’m holding space for growth. But no boardroom filled with CEOs compares to the vulnerability of facing a yoga class as a first-time teacher.”
“I’m just genuinely happy with where I am right now. The classes I get to hold, the people I get to share them with, and the mentors I’m lucky enough to learn from: it’s exactly where I want to be.”
The Practice Beyond the Pose
If there’s one thing the Acacia Movement teaches, it’s that yoga isn’t about the shape of your body, but the shape of your presence.
“Yoga has always been a safe space to pause and reflect,” says Nica. “It helps me ask—how can I breathe through this difficulty?”
“Everything in life is fleeting,” Jaymee adds. “But your breath—that remains. When there’s too much noise, I return to my mat.”
“Yoga is a journey,” says Binnie. “Growth takes time. But with practice and patience, it transforms you. That’s what I carry into every class I teach.”
The Heart of Teaching
Even with the movement’s growth, Jaymee and Nica remain grounded. They don’t see themselves as entrepreneurs—but as teachers, first and always.
“We weren’t thinking like businesspeople,” Nica shares. “We just kept showing up—giving 100%, even when only one or two students came.”
“Our hearts were meant for teaching,” echoes Jaymee. “But we had to learn how to grow a community too. That part came later.”
This sincerity is what draws people in—and keeps them.
The Next Chapter
Looking ahead, the Acacia Movement is poised for more expansion—not just in numbers, but in depth.
“We hope to introduce new movement practices and, maybe one day, have a fixed space of our own,” Jaymee and Nica say.
“I see myself as both teacher and student,” Binnie adds. “I want to keep learning, keep sharing, and help nurture this beautiful space we’ve all built together.”
And for those considering their first class?
“Come as you are,” Jaymee says.
“You’ll never be forced to feel anything or be a certain way,” Nica adds. “We welcome you just as you are.”
“Start with an open mind,” Binnie offers. “Yoga is not just about movement. It’s about connection, growth, and balance—on and off the mat.”
A Final Note: Why This Story Matters
As someone who walked into this movement by chance and stayed because of what I found, I can say this with certainty: the Acacia Movement is more than yoga. It is a gentle rebellion against isolation. A soft but steady revolution of kindness. And a living testament to what can bloom when women gather not to compete—but to breathe, to listen, and to grow together.
So if you’ve ever felt alone in your practice…
Or forgotten the sound of your own breath…
Or wondered if there’s still a place where you can be fully, authentically you—
Let this be your sign.
The Acacia Movement is waiting.
With open arms.
And a mat just for you.
