Since 2009 The Yoga Foundation has taught yoga to vulnerable people experiencing disadvantage with no access to yoga
The Yoga Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that provides yoga classes to various groups of vulnerable and disadvantaged persons to support mental wellbeing Listed below are summaries of some of The Yoga Foundation’s successful short- and long-term programs from previous years.
Carers in NSW
Research shows that carers of individuals with mental illness are at greater risk that the general population of developing anxiety and depression so we developed a weekly two hour yoga program specifically for carers to support their needs and to educate them on incorporating yoga in to their self care routine. This was delivered to clients of Carers NSW in April and May 2015.
Cerebral Palsy Project
In 2013 and 2014 we worked with the Cerebral Palsy Alliance to deliver three programs for people with cerebral palsy and for their carers.
Watch Rachel in the video on the right about the differences the cerebral palsy yoga program made for her.
Intellectual disabilities
We are working with groups whose disability and/or mental health can severely compromise their access to activities such as yoga. Many benefits are expressed and seen including building skills in managing anxiety, physical movement, feeling part of a group.
“This yoga class is really popular. One day they came in two buses as they couldn’t fit all the people in who wanted to attend the class.”
Forensic Patients
In 2016 and 2017 our instructors taught yoga to forensic patients - people found not guilty by reason of mental illness and detained in a secure psychiatric facility. We were the first external yoga service provider to work at this stand-alone high secure mental health facility.
“The breath and movement has built a connection to myself again. I found it very helpful in many ways and would love to do more yoga in future if possible.”
Psychiatric Wards Programs
The Yoga Foundation was chosen to deliver yoga to inpatients at two hospital mental health wards. Our evidence-based program design, highly experienced yoga teachers (with Mental Health First Aid certification) and skilled project managers has ensured our impact working with people in crisis in hospitals.
Juvenile Justice Projects
In September 2016 we created and taught an eight-week yoga program for young people aged between 10 and 21 at a specialist government school in Melbourne that provides education to students who are, or have been, detained in custody. Their students represent some of the most disadvantaged in the state, with most, victims of abuse, trauma, or neglect. This school has students with disabilities, as well as social, emotional, learning, and behavioural difficulties. Read this interview with our teacher to find out more.
In 2012 we facilitated a short yoga program at the Cobham and Emu Plains Juvenile Justice centres, located in Western Sydney to help detainees manage stress.
La Perouse ‘Mothers and Others’ Project
In 2012 we provided weekly classes for a group of young women from the Aboriginal community of La Perouse, Sydney. During the classes time was spent discussing activities participants could do at home to support their needs in a more sustained manner.
Post Adoption
We provided yoga at a weekend retreat both in 2013 and 2014 for people affected by adoption and experiencing anxiety and depression through the Benevolent Society.
Refugees & Asylum Seekers
In 2016 we worked with the NSW Refugee Health Service to deliver an eight-week yoga program to a group of Iraqi and Syrian refugees (pictured to the right). This program was designed to teach them how they can look after their mental and physical well-being and was part of a broader initiative supporting the needs of newly settled people. he Yoga Foundation started supporting people from a migrant or refugee background and asylum seekers in 2016. We support people in their community and teach strategies and techniques to feel connected to self and to others, calm the nervous system, relax and process the past safely. We offer trauma-informed yoga to ensure it is a safe and appropriate practice for all. Life Without Barriers, March 2016, 8 week program for refugees and asylum seekers. Metro Assist (Settlement Services), Lakemba and Wiley Park, March 2017 - June 2018, 28 classes/weeks of yoga for women. Jesuit Refugee Service, Parramatta, October 2017, 11 weeks of yoga for female asylum seekers. The Deli Women & Children’s Services, 16 weeks of yoga for women from a refugee or migrant background, impacted by DV. CORE Community Services, Fairfield, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2024, we have partnered with CORE since 2016 to bring yoga to their male and female clients from a refugee or migrant background. STARTTS, Auburn, 2023-24, we were excited to partner with STARTTS to offer trauma-informed yoga to Afghan women. Our Trauma Centre Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) teacher has worked alongside the STARTTS team to deliver an appropriate and beneficial experience to this group.
Street Yoga
Our Street Yoga project brings free yoga programs to people experiencing homelessness in partnership with Mission Australia and St Vincent de Paul Society. The aim of the street yoga program is to equip the participants with some simple skills through poses, breathing techniques and mindfulness exercises that can help them manage feelings of stress, anxiety and build mental resilience. Our classes also provide a gentle, inclusive experience that helps participants relax and connect socially with others.
The street programs were part of a year-long research project with the Australian College of Applied Psychology. Key findings were:
Participants reported feeling significantly less stressed, depressed, and anxious after the yoga classes.
Mental health benefits were the most frequently reported benefit of the yoga classes by participants.
A large portion of participants (43%) reported being more confident to engage in other support services after attending The Yoga Foundation classes.
Read the full report by the Australian College of Applied Psychology.
St George Aftercare
From 2012 to 2014 we delivered a weekly yoga class for consumers of mental health services in the St George area of Sydney. The aim was to support the mental health recovery journey for people who found it difficult to access yoga in the general community. Partners in Recovery of Eastern Sydney (Neami National), provided the funding for the initial 40 week yoga program and The St Vincent's Curran Foundation is now supporting the continuation of this important program, for which we are very grateful.
St Vincent's Hospital/O’Brien Centre
In August 2015 we started the Yoga for Well-being program delivering twice weekly yoga classes to patients at the Caritas Inpatient Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney and once weekly classes to outpatients at the O’Brien Centre, Sydney. Caritas is a 27-bed unit providing short term inpatient treatment during an acute phase of mental illness. The goal of this program is to provide participants experiencing significant mental illness with a positive on-ward and post-discharge activity using a tailored yoga program. The series of videos made in March 2020 highlight the impact and benefits of yoga in this setting.
Veterans with PTSD
From 2014 to 2016 we delivered a range of group and individual programs in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Wodonga in partnership with Soldier On and Defence Care to assist veterans dealing with PTSD.
Evaluations demonstrated the positive impact that yoga had on the participants as each veteran was invited to set individual goals and track their progress.
“One veteran found that two months of weekly yoga enhanced his focus, general wellbeing, physical flexibility, and sleep quality. After 17 weeks of sessions, this veteran found the program to be “truly helpful” using new skills to cope with pressures he experienced; the mindfulness techniques allowed him to distance himself from emotions and intrusive thoughts. He stated that the postures are a great starting point for anyone not used to meditation and mindfulness. He recommended the yoga program to anyone suffering PTSD in conjunction with their usual medical treatment. ”
