Yoga Buddies

Yoga Movement Outreach

Mission

Yoga Buddies is an affiliated program of Atma Dance Outreach is an IRS registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for 'One-on-One' and group yoga classes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We choose to operate from a place of understanding and equality. Through leadership trainings, action projects and practical tools of communication, organization and collaboration, we help yogis use their skills and utilize the tools of yoga, movement and meditation to create conscious connections with sustainable change. We all learn to become more effective compassionate leaders and agents of positive change in the world.

Who We Serve

The IDD community that Yoga Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, Autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, Cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities.

Programs

Yoga Buddies aims to be a world class organization dedicated to enhancing the social, physical and mental challenges of the 200 million people with IDD. Yoga Buddies is comprised of three programs that can positively impact millions of individuals with and without disabilities worldwide.

Program 1: Registration and Continuing Education; Phase 1 - Establish and register qualified leaders, teachers and schools of yoga for private and group sessions with individuals within the IDD community. Phase 2 - Continuing Education; refining teaching skills to create the most effective and innovative path to service.. This includes training new teacher and ongoing training courses for individuals within and outside the IDD community.
Program 2: Active Union: Yoga means union and this is where it all happens, participants and leaders connect for their enriching experience. One on one yoga teachers will specifically address the unique needs of each individual which is key for success in personal growth. Yoga schools offer group classes that engage participants, individuals within the IDD community with teachers and assistants to share in a joyous yoga movement experience.
Program 3: Outreach Performance & Presentation. This special program is where teachers and participants perform and demonstrate the work they do. They share what and how they learn, share their progress and the benefits they have derived from the Yoga Buddies program experience.

Our purpose is to engage in, collaborate and connect within local communities and create uplifting and positive action. In addition to the yoga, dance and movement sessions, Yoga Buddieshelps provide necessary material resources for these sessions; mats, blocks, straps and other possible tools.

Vision

We envision a global community in which humanity is awakened to our interconnectedness with all life - a world that values health and wellness over profit; compassion, care over dominance and love and peace over fear and violence.

Together we will create profound impacts in individuals, in our communities and in the world at large. Together we will grow our skills in being agents of positive social change.

Goals

The initiative also includes plans to train teachers, register schools and develop performance programs. These ambitious efforts are what drives Yoga Buddieswith hopes to become a universally recognized service to humanity by 2021. Since we are initiating these programs in Yoga Buddies is creating a three year plus plan.

2019 the primary stage, establish The Teacher program; create the registry of affiliated schools and individual volunteers in all 50 United States..

2020 the secondary stage to have active programs, one on one lessons and group sessions in all of the 50 United States.

2021 Initiate the Performance Programs in at least10 states, maintain and create a more profound teacher program.

Take Action

Yoga Buddiesis helping to solve problems with love and action! See how you can take action and help further our mission. Everyone has something they can contribute at every level.

Volunteer
Donate
Advocate
Create an Event

Donate

Yoga Buddies is a program dedicated to sharing yoga and movement practices to children with IDD. Your donation will helps us provide the opportunity to give many deserving children the tremendous benefits of health and well being.. Atma Yoga Dance is the Charity of record and through Shakti Yoga Productions we will provide the donation receipt for your gift.