Sonia Brown Diaz

Yoga on the Inside – accessible yoga for vulnerable community members

Sonia Brown Diaz, Founder and Director of ‘Yoga on the Inside’, operates nationally, focusing on improving the wellbeing of individuals impacted by trauma and PTSD symptoms. The core objective is to interrupt the prison pipeline, applying trauma-informed yoga to thrive, not survive.

They aim to extend programs to those supported by organisations in early intervention and post-treatment for mental health concerns, addiction, family and domestic violence and at-risk youth.

Collaborating with BeyondDV, Mates4Mates, PCYC and correctional facilities in Qld, NSW, SA and Tasmania, they engage an average of 197 participants monthly. Committed to evidence-backed yoga efficacy in treating depression and mental health, they address the statistic that one in five people aged 16-85 will experience a mental health disorder (ABS 2022).

The results

The objective of targeted programs is to provide skills for increased sensitivity, empathy and body connection, benefiting the whole community. Inclusive and accessible (free or low-cost), these programs impact more individuals who might otherwise miss out.

Successful collaborations with YFG grant support include 10-week programs for up to 18 participants with 000 Foundation (VIC), Men’s Walk and Talk (Qld), WAGEC Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (NSW) and Safe Steps Organisation (VIC).

They are in the process of evaluating the programs based on feedback.

The 000 Foundation has now decided to fund ongoing trauma-informed class for the next 12 months, and Yoga on the Inside is happy to have had the opportunity to ‘introduce’ the people who 000 Foundation supports to this yoga practice. They have realised the value of having a yoga practice that is beneficial beyond the mat.

Some 000 Foundation testimonials:

“I have come out of DV at home and two years on I am learning who I am and how to calm my mind. This has been amazing. Life has thrown a lot of stress but I am working on me now.”

“In eight years of therapy for CPTSD, this yoga course is one of the most beneficial things I’ve done. This is due to a combination of factors: Hayley’s welcoming, compassionate and genuinely engaged and understanding approach. Hayley’s undeniable skill as a teacher, the beautiful space at Frankston Yacht Club in which the classes are conducted, the feeling of kinship amongst the participants, and the immense value of the practice of yoga, particularly when tailored to be trauma appropriate.’”

Testimonials

Our sole mission is to create opportunities to do good for others through yoga.
And we’re making an impact.

A huge thank you to the Yoga For Good Foundation...

…for their incredible contribution to our Life Now Yoga and meditation programs!

This generous donation will mean we can buy new yoga equipment, run a new yoga class in Broome, and enhance our meditation program for cancer patients and their primary carers.

Cancer Council Western Australia

Sending out gratitude to the Yoga for Good Foundation.

Their grant is enabling me to offer FREE trauma informed therapeutic movement and relaxation to frontline mental health and social services staff in Bega.

Participants are really valuing the time out for themselves and experiencing integrated poly vagal theory. And I get to be in a teaching space, yay!

PremKranti Counselling

The generous grant we've been awarded from the Yoga For Good Foundation...

…allows us to reach more underserved and vulnerable community groups who can benefit from a trauma-informed yoga and embodied mindfulness practice at zero cost to the participants.

Some of the community groups we’ll be serving in the current months include 000 Foundation, Men’s Walk and Talk and WAGEC.

Yoga on the Inside