Mental Health United States Project #36061

Trauma Informed Yoga for the Incarcerated

by Yoga 4 Change, INC

Project Report | Jun 18, 2025
Corrections Programming Update: Q2 2025

By Shiva Thompson | Director of Programs and Partnerships

Yoga 4 Change is a non-profit organization that aims to achieve lasting, demonstrative change for veterans, individuals who are experiencing incarceration, youth, and people living with mental health conditions. Yoga 4 Change provides structure, empowerment, and results and is built on an established, purpose-driven curriculum that pairs yoga movements with thematic teachings tailored to the physical and emotional needs of each population we serve.

For nearly 10 years Yoga 4 Change has offered trauma informed yoga in carceral facilities. Beginning in Duval county in the early years and expanding into Orange, Seminole and Hillsborough counties in 2021-2024. Most recently Y4C plans to expand programming with the Problem Solving Courts (Veteran Treatment Court, Drug Court, Mental Health Court) in Osceola county.

We are an organization that believes in second chances and that people, especially those who have sustained significant trauma,are not defined by their mistakes. Justice impacted individuals (incarcerated, on probation, or involved with Problem Solving courts) deserve the opportunity to make amends and it all starts on the mat.

In Q2 (Feb-April) 2025, we taught 222 trauma informed yoga classes to 1568 justice involvedindividuals across the state of Florida. The facilities we partner with to serve justice impactedindividualinclude, jails, the court system, and correctional institutions. Our partners include the 4thJudicial Court System in Duval County, the 13th Judicial Court system in Hillsborough County, the 9thJudicial Court system in Osceola county, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO),Seminole CountySheriff’s Office Correctional Facility, and Orange County Sheriff’s Correctional Facility.

Our Q2 impact report for 2025 is attached. This document shows the data self-reported by participants, collected and evaluated, by the community served. Individuals experiencing incarceration reported a 20% increase in mood, 31% decrease in stress and 23% decrease in physical pain after one class.

In addition to quantitative data, Yoga 4 Change also collects qualitative data. See below for quotes from our students:

“First time I've been pain free in 20 years I loved the theme and shape variations.”

“This class made me realize that I can help myself. The instructor was amazing, and the material is extremely helpful. I found myself moved.”

“Looking forward to more of these. its given me a reason to connect with something, anything”

“Thank you for taking the time our of your day to show me something new to help me calm myself and feel my body”

Links:

Attachments:

Y4C_Q2_FY2025_Report_with_Population_Results.pdf (PDF)

1 Attachment

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Feb 21, 2025
Quarterly Report: February 2025

By Molly Hill | Director of Philanthropy

Justice Impacted (Incarcerated & Court Involved)

Pre/Post Class

For justice impactedprogram participants, there was a significant increase in mood (p < .001, n = 1,867), significant decrease in stress (p < .001, n = 1,854), and there was a significant decrease in pain (p < .001, n = 1,851) after participation in class as compared to before.

Justice Impacted

Scale Average % Change

Mood 22% increase

Stress 31% decrease

Pain 23% increase

Total justice impactedprogram participants this quarter= 1,931

(The number of individuals served is based on the # of participants taught in each class. Individuals are counted each time they participate. Mood, stress, and pain outcomes include participants who

completed data collection notecards).

Justice ImpactedQualitative Shares

"I enjoyed the class. I like it every time you come."

"When I was on the football team. Comment - Relaxing."

"IT HELPS ME TO FEEL EVERYTHING. I LIKE TO BREATHE."

"Thank you for doing this for us."

"Feel much better."

"Amazing class today, very calming."

"I appreciate the breathing exercises the most."

"This session helped me relax."

"I feel more at peace after the class."

"Thank you for offering this practice."

"Mindfulness focus was really beneficial."

"Great way to start my day!"

"The stretches really helped me today."

"I feel more grounded and centered."

"Thank you for such a peaceful session."

Community Pre/Post Class

For community programparticipants, there was a significant increase in mood (p < .001, n = 629), significant decrease in stress (p < .001, n = 628), and there was a significant decrease in pain (p < .001, n = 607) after participation in class as compared to before.

Justice Impacted

Scale Average % Change

Mood 23% increase

Stress 34% decrease

Pain 19% increase

Total community participants this quarter= 654

completed data collection notecards).

Community Qualitative Shares

"Wonderful class! Thank you very much for sharing."

"Amazing yoga session, I feel refreshed."

"Thank you for your time and care."

"Loved the meditation and mindfulness today."

"I feel much more relaxed now."

"Grateful for this practice and the peace it brings."

"The breathing exercises were my favorite part."

- "Great stretch and great mental break."

"Really helpful, especially for calming my mind."

"Feeling lighter and more at ease."

"I always look forward to these sessions."

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Oct 24, 2024
Quarterly Report: October 2024

By Molly Hill | Director of Philanthropy

This report shares Yoga 4 Change key findings for the period from July 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. The chart below displays at a glance the trends with categories for Adults and Youth, and then broken down into subpopulations: Veterans, Mental Health/Recovery, and Justice Impacted. The number of individuals served is based on the count of participants taught in each class.

Pre/Post Class
For justice impacted program participants, there was a significant increase in mood (p < .001, n = 1,867), significant decrease in stress (p < .001, n = 1,854), and there was a significant decrease in pain (p < .001, n = 1,851) after participation in class as compared to before.

Mood 22% increase
Stress 31% decrease
Pain 23% increase

Total justice impacted program participants from July 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024 =1,931 (The number of individuals served is based on the # of participants taught in each class. Individuals are counted each time they participate. Mood, stress, and pain outcomes include participants who completed data collection notecards)

Justice Impacted Qualitative Shares
"I enjoyed the class. I like it every time you come."
"When I was on the football team. Comment - Relaxing."
"IT HELPS ME TO FEEL EVERYTHING. I LIKE TO BREATHE."
"Thank you for doing this for us."
"Feel much better."
"Amazing class today, very calming."
"I appreciate the breathing exercises the most."
"This session helped me relax."
"I feel more at peace after the class."
"Thank you for offering this practice."
"Mindfulness focus was really beneficial."
"Great way to start my day!"
"The stretches really helped me today."
"I feel more grounded and centered."
"Thank you for such a peaceful session."

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