Your Own Greatness Affirmed

Y.O.G.A. for Youth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth and families in underserved communities through the principles and practice of yoga.

What We're All About

We provide schools and other youth oriented organizations with customized yoga and mindfulness programming tailored to address the behavioral, emotional and physical needs of their unique youth population.

Y.O.G.A. for Youth programs are designed to foster confident, healthy, emotionally-stable individuals with higher levels of scholastic aptitude and expanded behavioral management skills.

Video: Y.O.G.A. for Youth featured on PBS News Hour

Effective Tools for Self-Discovery

Y.O.G.A .for Youth programming addresses four major components; behavioral stability, self esteem, physical health and scholastic aptitude. Focusing on these components treats a multitude of symptoms including violence, vandalism, substance abuse, obesity, eating disorders, teen pregnancy, sexual assault, sexually transmitted diseases, truancy, poor grades, bullying, and suicide.

Behavioral Stability

Multiple breathing exercises slow the mind and create balance between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. The release of endorphins increases energy and stabilizes mood giving a heightened sense of wellbeing and calmness. Specific yoga postures and breathing exercises strengthen the nervous system and stimulate the frontal lobe creating emotional and mental stability. This stability promotes patience, interest and motivation resulting in increased positive social interaction and respect.
Self Esteem

The Yogic approach to wellness includes the simultaneous treatment of the mind and body. Specific yogic postures coupled with patterns of breathing work to align the respiratory and lymphatic systems, stimulating the release of toxins, increasing organ function contributing to the overall strength of the immune system. This process also relieves tension, anxiety and stress, which have been proven to directly affect physical health.
Physical Health

Specific isometric yoga postures work to strengthen the core and control muscle groups simultaneously in a non- competitive environment. Conquering challenging movements not only builds self-esteem and confidence, but also provides a deeper understanding and appreciation for the uniqueness of one’s body. Yoga increases flexibility, agility, and coordination while giving the student a sense of accomplishment reinforcing a positive body image and improving self worth.
Scholastic Aptitude

Certain yoga postures and coordinated movement in conjunction with specific breathing exercises not only stimulate multiple parts of the brain simultaneously, but also increases oxygenation of the blood and circulation to the brain expanding the minds capacity to problem-solve, retain and comprehend information leading to greater focus, better study habits and increased class participation.