The mission of Sea Change Yoga is to increase access to healing-centered yoga for people living in systemic oppression. We work within the community and institutions to remove financial, physical and cultural barriers for people, creating spaces where every person is honored and celebrated.
Sea Change Yoga is a nonprofit yoga service organization. Systems of oppression and correlating trauma cause individuals to disconnect from our true Self - our innate wholeness, limitless hearts, internal wisdom, and sense of belonging- and each other. The teachings of yoga can reconnect us with our Self, strengths, and self-agency, and illuminate a possible path forward that supports our wellbeing. By increasing access to yoga, individuals have the opportunity not just to heal, but to contribute to building thriving communities.
We currently teach more than 80 classes per month, serving incarcerated adults, people in recovery from substance use disorder, people in transitional/supported housing, New Mainers, youth, older adults, and people living with mental illness.
Our trauma-informed teaching strategies are designed to be uniquely effective for students with trauma in their background. We modify the elements of traditional yoga to facilitate mindfulness, maximize tolerance, build empowerment, and cultivate a more positive relationship to one’s body.
These simple, powerful tools of transformation reduce stress and anxiety, support the addiction recovery process, help break the cycle of substance abuse and incarceration. We teach a method of mindfulness practices that our students can use every single day in their lives.
Our Values
Sea Change Yoga’s work is rooted in the following values:
Belonging/Inclusion: The feeling of being uniquely seen, heard, and valued. Celebration exactly as you are.
Ahimsa/ Non-Violence: Living in a way which does not cause harm to ourselves or others.
Collaboration and Mutuality: The sharing of responsibility and effort so we can enjoy the experience of being part of something bigger than ourselves.
Integrity: Continuity between intention and action, valuing what’s right over what’s easy, an openness to learning, and accountability to ourselves and each other.
Curiosity: Proactively seeking out different points of view and ways of being, questioning the status quo, listening to others, learning, and reflecting.
Our Definition of Healing
the process of remembering and returning to our inherent wholeness
the alleviation of pain, suffering, or distress
a lifelong, non-linear process which requires community support and tools for cultivating self-compassion and self-awareness.
This powerful seven minute video shows the impact of our work.