Teresa Carney

Afhani women in a yoga session

Ioga Care and Connections, Trauma Informed Yoga for Refugee Women

Teresa gives Afghan refugee women the chance to practice yoga for a positive community experience, healing from trauma and fostering connections to reduce isolation.

Many newly arrived women have endured years of war, facing unsafe and uncertain circumstances. Despite the opportunity to settle in Australia, challenges persist. A large percentage of Afghani women are not literate in their native language and are struggling to learn English, in addition to finding employment and navigating a new way of life.

These obstacles, at times, lead to isolation and despair, which can also manifest as health concerns such as aches, pains and depression. However, trauma-informed yoga provides a vital chance for these women to reconnect with themselves and others, promoting healing and community support.

The importance of Teresa’s work

In the Shepparton area, there are limited opportunities for Afghan women to engage in movement, breath work, and nurture their internal and external connections. Participating in such activities could potentially expedite healing from trauma.

Prior to this program, a series of sessions received high praise, prompting further demand facilitated by interpreters and existing networks. The transformative impact of this yoga modality underscores its positive outcomes for participants. Additionally, it empowers choice-making, fosters environmental and self-awareness and promotes reconnection within a safe, supportive and nurturing environment.

The program saw significant success, with women reporting a profoundly positive and embodied experience, including feelings of connection and inner peace. Learn more about Teresa’s inspirational ‘Yoga for Afghani Women’ initiative here.

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