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”
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