Officials of the Charles Village Civic Association and the Charles Village Benefits District say they know about the upcoming community meeting being sponsored by The Living Well, and are generally supportive of the initiative.

"I will most likely go," said Diana Mitchell, coordinator of community and safety programs for the benefits district.

"For a yoga studio they're really being proactive," observed Mitchell, who has spoken with Stone. "It's really kind of an asset to have a business reaching out."

She said it could be perceived as stepping on toes, but that it would be another way of connecting with the community and would keep the benefits district on its own toes.

"It gives a push to look at the big picture," Mitchell said. "It holds us to a higher ground."

Jennifer Erickson, president of the civic association, said the studio's community meeting might draw a constituency that doesn't get involved in more traditional civic groups.

"It doesn't bother me a bit," Erickson said. "I think (Stone is) putting it out there as an opportunity."

Erickson said she told the civic association board about the upcoming meeting and announced the meeting in the latest issue of the association's newsletter.

"I'm all for people getting together and doing things," she said. "I do think Charles Village has a lot of people who don't look to associations."