HOW YOGA TRANSFORMS LIVES

Transcription

1 HOW YOGA TRANSFORMS LIVES

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS GIVE BACK YOGA FOUNDATION A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR YOGA OF 12-STEP RECOVERY ADDICTION YOGA4CANCER CANCER MINDFUL YOGA THERAPY VETERANS' HEALTH PRISON YOGA PROJECT MASS INCARCERATION EAT BREATHE THRIVE EATING DISORDERS AND OBESITY THE HARD & THE SOFT YOGA INSTITUTE YOGA SERVICE TRAINING

3 Dear Friends and Community, At Give Back Yoga Foundation, we strive to make yoga accessible to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the benefits of this powerful practice. As a national nonprofit yoga organization, we do this by supporting and funding six core yoga programs that use evidence-based modalities to serve at-risk and under-resourced populations. With your generous support, our programs have transformed the lives of people affected by addiction, incarceration, war, eating disorders, and cancer. Collectively, our programs have brought hundreds of thousands of classes to those who need it most around the globe. Today, our programs are being studied in cutting-edge research on the therapeutic benefits of yoga for these populations. It gives me great pleasure to share with you this report on how each of our programs uses the practice of yoga to transform lives. Namaste, Robert Schware Executive Director GIVE BACK YOGA FOUNDATION GIVE BACK YOGA FOUNDATION A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR 1

4 YOGA OF 12-STEP RECOVERY THE PROBLEM: Addiction and substance use problems wreak havoc on individuals, families, healthcare systems, and the global economy. THE SOLUTION: Yoga of 12-Step Recovery offers a rich and powerful framework for addiction recovery and relapse prevention. MEETINGS Our meetings combine the ancient wisdom of yoga with the practical tools of the 12-step program. EDUCATION Our trainings equip helping professionals with holistic tools to address addiction. ACCESS Our programs ensure individuals in low-income neighborhoods have access to resources for sustainable recovery. YOGA OF 12-STEP RECOVERY ADDICTION 2

5 Yoga and the 12 steps were instrumental in saving my life; I know firsthand the power that yoga and the 12 steps hold in helping to reshape and recreate life. As a person in recovery and a yoga teacher, I truly feel called to give back and connect to individuals who are working on creating and maintaining a life of health and balance, working with and through the issues that lie in one's tissues. I will forever be grateful! Y12SR Participant THE IMPACT: 14 years of service 1,100 active leaders 1,400 + classes taught by our Founder, Nikki Myers meetings take place weekly across the world YOGA OF 12-STEP RECOVERY ADDICTION 3

6 YOGA4CANCER THE PROBLEM: Cancer poses unique physical and mental health challenges, some of which persist for decades after treatment. THE SOLUTION: yoga4cancer helps cancer patients and survivors manage treatment side effects and sustain cancer recovery. EDUCATION Our trainings enable professionals to utilize yoga to help cancer survivors worldwide. RESOURCES Our book, articles, webinars and survivor classes ensure ongoing support for professionals and cancer survivors. RESEARCH We collect data and publish research on the physical and emotional benefits of yoga for cancer population. YOGA4CANCER CANCER 4

7 y4c classes have helped me in many ways. They are a safe place to share with others surviving cancer and they guide my new body and mind in the journey that is recovery. I don t have to worry about bringing up what I ve gone through because I am surrounded by people who understand. Even in silence they understand. Lisa, yoga4cancer student THE IMPACT: 16 years of service 2,000 professionals trained since 2005 Classes offered in 19 countries and every U.S. state 19,000 survivors served in NYC alone 10,000 books sold 18,000 + classes taught YOGA4CANCER CANCER 5

8 MINDFUL YOGA THERAPY THE PROBLEM: Veterans don t have timely access to the health care services they need to manage the mental and physical consequences of war. THE SOLUTION: Mindful Yoga Therapy offers yoga programs that help veterans manage their symptoms and live healthy, peaceful, and productive lives. EDUCATION We teach helping professionals how to offer yoga and meditation to veterans. PROGRAMS We offer classes in medical, educational, and community settings. RESEARCH We collect data on the physical and emotional benefits of yoga for veterans. MINDFUL YOGA THERAPY VETERANS' HEALTH 6

9 Taking the Mindful Yoga Therapy program was one of the best decisions I've ever made. First, I began to sleep better. Next, I got to know myself for the first time ever. Then I slowly came off all of my psych meds. That was big! For the first time in over 40 years, I was medication free. Yoga is now my therapy. I will be eternally grateful for the MYT program. John Nieb THE IMPACT: 20,000 + veterans have received a free copy of our Practice Guide 260 classes per year 12 weeks of our program reduces PTSD severity by 10 points 12 weeks of our program increases mindfulness by 5 points MINDFUL YOGA THERAPY VETERANS' HEALTH 7

10 PRISON YOGA PROJECT THE PROBLEM : Mass incarceration imposes staggering social end economic costs, and prisons do not reduce recidivism. THE SOLUTION : The Prison Yoga Project uses yoga and mindfulness practices to give incarcerated men and women tools for healing and transformation. TRAININGS Our trainings teach helping professionals how to offer yoga-based practices to prisoners. PROGRAMS Our programs are offered in prisons, jails, and other rehabilitation facilities. RESOURCES We distribute free instructional yoga books to prisoners. PRISON YOGA PROJECT MASS INCARCERATION 8

11 The Prison Yoga Project is a life-sustaining and meaningful program that I nurture and value because it is not only positive, [but] it supports my growth and success as a young man. Yoga helps me navigate my life as a good and successful person. This practice is life-changing and will continue to enhance my life. K.L., Prisoner THE IMPACT: 3,000 prisoners take our classes each week 250 teachers offer our classes in jails and prisons 15 years of service 22,000 practice guides sent to prisoners free of charge 6,000-7,000 incarcerated practitioners in 25 states 1,700+ training graduates PRISON YOGA PROJECT MASS INCARCERATION 9

12 EAT BREATHE THRIVE THE PROBLEM: Mental health challenges disrupt how we eat and care for ourselves leading to eating disorders, substance use, and obesity. THE SOLUTION: Eat Breathe Thrive offers yoga-based programs that teach skills for mindful eating, emotional resilience, and body confidence. TRAININGS Our trainings teach helping professionals how to offer yoga-based programs that support healthy eating.. PROGRAMS Our programs help teens and adults eat mindfully and build resilience. RESEARCH Our research explores whether yoga can prevent and help treat eating disorders. EAT BREATHE THRIVE EATING DISORDERS AND OBESITY 10

13 It is difficult to put into words the profound impact this training had on me... it spoke directly to my experience of healing, and the science of WHY it works. Eat Breathe Thrive beautifully integrates and builds trust in one s own embodiment, intuition and emotional intelligence and THEN backs the experience with evidence based research. I am so proud to be part of such an amazing organization. Lara Scriba, Yoga Teacher and Registered Nurse THE IMPACT: 4 years of service 75 facilitators Programs offered in 19 U.S. states Trainings taught in 6 countries 2,000+ people served 600+ training graduates EAT BREATHE THRIVE EATING DISORDERS AND OBESITY 11

14 THE HARD & THE SOFT YOGA INSTITUTE THE PROBLEM: Most yoga teacher trainings don t provide the skills needed to work with in-need and under-resourced populations. THE SOLUTION: The Hard & The Soft Institute prepares new teachers to share the therapeutic tools of yoga and mindfulness traditions. HIGH-QUALITY Our trainings are led by world-class faculty with decades of experience offering yoga to at-risk populations. SERVICE-FOCUSED Students are given resources and support to offer yoga as a tool for healing and transformation. COMMUNITY-BUILDING Our trainings unite compassionate, likeminded human beings from all over the world. THE HARD & THE SOFT YOGA INSTITUTE YOGA SERVICE TRAINING 12

15 Welcome to the best day of your life. As graduates of The Hard & The Soft Yoga Teacher Training programs, we are a global family of yoga teachers and practitioners working for the healing of our world. Even if we are full-time mothers, fathers, doctors, farmers, plumbers or professionals and are not choosing to become yoga teachers at this time, we are taking our yoga into the world. Whatever we do, we embrace the 8 limbs of yoga and speak up, calling out injustice. We are proactive leaders in our communities working for clean food and drinkable water, for the rights of animals, women, minorities, and for the sustainability of Mother Earth and our environment. Yoga makes a difference in people s lives, and we get to see that every day. We hope you will join us. Our world is in crisis and we need you! The Hard & The Soft Yoga Community THE IMPACT: 28 trainings 810 classes 500+ graduates THE HARD & THE SOFT YOGA INSTITUTE YOGA SERVICE TRAINING 13

16 The Give Back Yoga Foundation, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.