We provide 22 trauma-sensitive yoga classes for people experiencing significant challenges in their lives.
+ Increase accessibility to healing practices by offering free and donation-based classes in the community.
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Mental health programs
YFAM brings yoga to people residing in mental health centers and plays a key role in providing a pathway to healing. Mental illness can be a debilitating condition that often leads to social isolation. Yoga can help regulate the nervous system and can release endorphins that help treat anxiety and depression. Providing a safe, non-competitive form of physical movement allows our students who reside in these programs to build healthy relationships, practice healthy coping skills, and increase resilience.
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Programs for people who are experiencing incarceration
YFAM holds classes for people in jail and classes for young people incarcerated in juvenile hall. YFAM believes that providing trauma-sensitive mindfulness and yoga practices to people who have little to no control over their surroundings is a gateway to empowerment and healing. When humans are able to connect to their bodies, their breath, and each other through the shared practice of yoga, space is created where profound healing can occur. We aim to lessen the impact of institutionalization by reminding our students in these programs of their inherent worth as human beings.
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Recovery programs
YFAM brings yoga to rehabilitation centers all over Santa Cruz county. This includes expecting mothers (often previously unhoused) a detox/rehabilitation center for men, and several other sites for people early in their recovery journey. YFAM provides trauma-sensitive yoga that can help prevent relapse, reduce withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings, and provides a healthy outlet to cope with potential triggers and daily life stressors.
Building community resilience, one breath at a time
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Free/donation based classes
On Mondays + Fridays at 10 am at London Nelson Community Center, you are invited to come practice physically safe, trauma-sensitive yoga in community with each other. We believe we can build resilience within our community and break barriers to connection when we share a movement-based practice with each other. We extend a special invitation to those in recovery, people living with chronic pain, older adults, and people with lower incomes. $5-$10 suggested donation, but not required.
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Sapphire Collective
Sapphire Yoga Collective (SYC) is dedicated to offering accessible, donation-based yoga practices for people of all bodies, levels, and queer identities. We teach through a trauma-sensitive, liberatory lens, and we believe that nourishing our own inner gardens has the potential to ripple out, resourcing us for community care and activism. By coming together in community and practicing the art of yoga within a brave space, the principles of yogic philosophy bring us in alignment with the resources required for queer liberation, anti-racism, class consciousness, and ultimately, the spread of compassion for all. All identifying on the LGBTQIA++ spectrum are welcome to our classes, regardless of exposure to yoga, body size/shape, and ability. Every Sunday at Motion Pacfic 5-6:15. $10-$20 donations appreciated, but not required.
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Bilingual chair yoga for seniors
YFAM brings gentle chair-based yoga classes to a thriving community of seniors at the Watsonville Senior Center. These classes taught in Spanish and English are offered every Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. free of charge. Research has shown that the highest indicators of physical and mental health are having connections with others. These classes provide a beacon of social support and interconnectivity to seniors who may be isolated and alone otherwise.
