Yoga Outreach and BC Society of Transition Houses launching 5-year research project called “Reaching Out with Yoga” funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada that will provide trauma-sensitive yoga programming for women and children in transition houses across BC.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA (March 30, 2016) – Domestic violence affects many women and children in BC. Programs that complement Transition House services, such as Reaching Out With Yoga, are an important part of supporting families as they leave their lives behind, and try to start over.
Yoga Outreach is non-profit that has been providing weekly yoga programs in various social service facilities, including mental health, addictions, youth centres, prisons, and older adult rehabilitation, for twenty years.
“This year marks our 20th anniversary, and Reaching Out with Yoga is huge step towards our goal of removing barriers of access to yoga, and providing community connection to our most vulnerable individuals” says Delanie Dyck, Yoga Outreach’s Executive Director.
New Dawn, a facility for women recovering from addictions and violence, has already been receiving Yoga Outreach’s weekly classes since 2005.
“It helps our women with symptoms of withdrawal, anxiety, depression, and allows a gentle re-connection to the breath, heart, and mind. It allows for them to feel empowered, and heal.”
Yoga Outreach has been providing yoga programs to Burnaby Youth Custody Centre since 1998, and teens have responded positively.
“It puts me in a calmer state so I can think more clearly” and “it makes me feel good about myself.”
Which is exactly what Yoga Outreach and the BC Society of Transition Houses aims to achieve.
Transition and Second Stage House services across BC are the critical safety net for women fleeing violent relationships. Through these programs women and children are able to find the support and safety needed to get back on their feet.
Yoga Outreach trains all of their volunteer yoga instructors in trauma-informed teaching approaches in order to provide strengths focused classes for people facing multiple barriers, including addictions, mental health, PTSD, and incarceration. If you would like to be involved, contact Delanie Dyck at Delanie@yogaoutreach.com or 604.385.3891 or visit www.yogaoutreach.com.
Media Contact: Delanie Dyck, Executive Director, Yoga Outreach, 604.385.3891