Portland, OR. The Living Yoga’s Board of Directors announced the nonprofit will stop providing services as of November 12th. Living Yoga began offering trauma-informed yoga to incarcerated in 1998. An announcement noted, “Due to the ongoing pandemic, we have experienced a sustained period of not being able to deliver in-person classes; therefore, We hope you will join us in celebrating our accomplishments over our 24 years of service to our community.”
The nonprofit closure is one of many in the Portland area. Canceled fundraisers and lost donations have left many struggling to stay afloat.
Prior to the pandemic, Living Yoga volunteers provided 34 weekly trauma-informed classes to 24 partner sites including prisons, substance use disorder treatment, and recovery centers, and community health programs.
In response to COVID-19, Living Yoga pivoted in 2020 to provide virtual services, training, and continuing education for the community. Leaders say, “While we have been able to maintain partnerships with select service sites via a virtual model through our dedicated volunteers, our community impact has been greatly limited. The new delta variant has further exacerbated this situation, and we struggle to reach our most vulnerable students.”
Prior to the pandemic, volunteers served more than 600 students per month. Many students in prison were grateful for the opportunity as seen in the message above.
Here’s a video about the nonprofit:
From Living Yoga:
When Living Yoga began offering trauma-informed yoga to those impacted by incarceration in 1998, there were few yoga studios in Portland, let alone free or accessible offerings for our most in-need community members. At this time, there was minimal mainstream knowledge regarding the impact that body-based practices like yoga could be utilized to support healing and resilience in cases of trauma. Living Yoga has increased access to yoga and body-based practices in our community and has inspired students and organizations alike to incorporate these practices into their own lives and service offerings.
Recognizing that there is an ongoing immense community need, we have made the bittersweet decision to dissolve Living Yoga and share our resources with other nonprofits that can have a greater impact at this critical time. We are actively vetting organizations that will be good stewards of our funds and will provide additional information as we make a final decision.
You can continue to access free, trauma-informed, recorded classes from Living Yoga in The Living Room until the end of 2022.
We want to share our deepest gratitude with you for supporting Living Yoga throughout the past 24 years. Thank you for your commitment to fostering healing and resilience through trauma-informed yoga. We appreciate your continued support as we return to our roots as a working board during this unprecedented time.
Portland, OR. On October 21st, Living Yoga hosted its annual “Invest in the Human Spirit” Gala. More than 300 people gathered at the Leftbank Annex for an inspiring night, and more than $111,000 was raised to bring trauma-informed yoga to youth and adults in correctional facilities, drug & alcohol rehabilitation centers, and mental health and social service agencies. (Photo credit, Matt Gonzalez)
Living Yoga Board Members: Sherrie Barger, Chip Gettinger, Hilliary Giglio, Sara McMahon, Sue Aicher (Vice-President), Alan McCollom (Treasurer), Lauren Booth (Executive Director), Heidi Pollard-Hermann, Karen Leib, Sara Morrow (President), and Leighann Franson (Secretary). Not Pictured: Chris Calarco.
Terri & Alex Cole connect with Noah Schultz, 2015 Living Yoga featured student
Mimi Clinton shares her inspiring story.
This year, Living Yoga highlighted the story of Mimi, who found the inner strength and confidence she needed to make profound changes in her life and transition from Coffee Creek Correctional Facility to a life of hope, healing and purpose. Living Yoga students, like Mimi, are re-entering our community each day with skills to realize their own potential and engage in a fulfilling life. Each year, we deliver inspiration and hope to thousands of Living Yoga students to make our communities stronger.
“Having the option to do Living Yoga seriously changed my life. It was my medicine while I was there. It gave me purpose, it gave me an outlet, it gave me hope.” – Mimi, Past Student, Coffee Creek Correctional Facility
Chip Gettinger, Board Member and past President, shares his support.
From Living Yoga:
We are grateful for the outstanding support from our generous sponsors for making the evening possible, including Lululemon, Portland Natural Health, Chown Hardware, Therapeutic Associates, Umpqua Bank, Goumi Kids, Jewel Yoga, Compass Oncology, Providence Health & Services, Columbia Sportswear, PrAna, YoYoYogi, GP Kitchen and Actual Industries.
It is with the support of our generous donors and 130 active volunteer teachers that we are able to deliver these life-changing programs to more youth and adults like Mimi, and support our community in becoming a safer, more loving, and more resilient place for everyone to live and thrive.
NONPROFIT BENEFIT TICKET GIVEAWAYS!
Sign up for our free weekly highlights for the chance to win two tickets terrific nonprofit events! If you "like" us on facebook, or sign up for our weekly news highlights, you'll be entered to win! Sign up today!
Look for another ticket giveaway soon! Are you a nonprofit looking to bolster your publicity with facebook and tweets? Email us and we'll run a contest with tickets to your event! [email protected]
