Restorative Yoga for Renewal

Mental health

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Los Angeles is home to the world's largest jail system, with an average daily population of about 15,000, costing $1.4 billion annually. Women are the fastest-growing incarcerated population, increasing by 700% since 1980. Upon release, they face stigma, economic instability, and a lack of supportive services. The Prison Policy Initiative highlights the lack of attention and resources for justice-involved women's reentry needs. Trans and gender non-conforming individuals experience additional discrimination, exacerbating structural racism and gender-based inequities. These factors lead to high recidivism rates, especially among those returning to a city unprepared to support their reintegration. The Restorative Yoga for Renewal project aims to address these issues by providing a therapeutic space that fosters mental and physical well-being, self-awareness, and community support, helping formerly incarcerated women and marginalized individuals rebuild their lives and reduce recidivism.

The Restorative Yoga for Renewal project will address the specific needs of justice-involved women and other marginalized individuals by offering healing yoga practices to women in our two SAFE reentry homes and other clients served by Turning Point. This initiative addresses the urgent need for mental and physical well-being among formerly incarcerated women and marginalized individuals. The program will provide regular yoga sessions led by experienced instructors, creating a safe and supportive environment where participants can reduce stress, build self-awareness, and foster resilience. These sessions will focus on trauma-informed practices, ensuring that participants feel safe and supported throughout their healing journey. In addition to yoga, the program will offer workshops on mindfulness, wellness, and coping strategies, equipping participants with essential tools to navigate the challenges of reentry. By promoting holistic healing, the Restorative Yoga for Renewal project aims to enhance mental health, build a sense of community, and support personal growth. Participants will develop new coping mechanisms, improve their physical health, and gain a stronger sense of self, all of which are crucial for successful reintegration. Finally, the program will foster a sense of belonging and empowerment, helping to break the cycle of recidivism.

Los Angeles County will see a transformative impact on its communities. Formerly incarcerated women and marginalized individuals will experience improved mental and physical well-being, reducing recidivism rates and easing the burden on the criminal legal system. Our holistic approach will foster self-awareness, resilience, and community reintegration, leading to stronger, more supportive neighborhoods. Families will be reunited, and participants will gain valuable skills and coping strategies, enabling them to lead productive lives. The county will benefit from decreased homelessness and poverty as participants secure stable housing and employment. Overall, Los Angeles will become a more inclusive and compassionate community, where individuals affected by incarceration, trauma, and addiction are supported in their journey to recovery and reintegration. This success will create a ripple effect, promoting social equity and enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

As a new initiative, the Restorative Yoga for Renewal project will define and measure success through a combination of qualitative and quantitative metrics. We will track participant attendance and engagement in yoga sessions and workshops, as well as collect pre- and post-program surveys to assess changes in stress levels, self-awareness, and overall well-being. Additionally, we will gather testimonials and conduct interviews to capture personal stories of transformation and community reintegration. Regular feedback sessions with participants will ensure the program remains responsive to their needs and experiences. By analyzing these data points, we will evaluate the program’s effectiveness in promoting mental and physical health, fostering resilience, and supporting successful reentry, thereby addressing the broader issues of recidivism, homelessness, and economic instability in Los Angeles.