Yoga instructor Steve Hubbard, known as “Nama Steve,” is intensifying his conflict with San Diego by filing his third lawsuit concerning free outdoor yoga sessions.
In a lawsuit submitted on June 22, Hubbard claims that park rangers have threatened and ticketed him for offering complimentary yoga classes, both on the beach and from his residence.
Hubbard, who leads donation-based outdoor yoga classes at Palisades Park in Pacific Beach, received three citations in May 2025: two related to beach activities and one while he was live-streaming a session from his backyard.
His lawsuit asserts that he has faced intimidation that discourages him from exercising his First Amendment rights. Even after a federal court determined that a city ordinance banning “the giving of any lecture” in parks infringed upon free speech, park rangers allegedly continued to cite him, asserting his online teaching was a violation due to its availability in public spaces.
A revised city ordinance enacted in 2024 aimed at controlling unauthorized commercial activities in parks and public areas stipulates that businesses offering services like yoga for groups of four or more must obtain permits.
In response to this, Hubbard and fellow instructor Amy Buck launched their first lawsuit, focusing on First Amendment rights and requesting a preliminary injunction to stop the city from enforcing the ban.
Although initially unsuccessful in district court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit later agreed, ruling that “teaching yoga is protected speech under the First Amendment.”
A subsequent lawsuit was filed in state court, directly challenging local regulations. During this dispute, city attorneys issued subpoenas for Hubbard’s financial records, including Venmo transactions and GPS location data of his students who donated.
The state court case is anticipated to have a hearing in January 2027.
