OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Founded in honor of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, Exhale to Inhale provides a powerful, body-based resource for healing from trauma.

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MISSION STATEMENT:

Exhale to Inhale uses the healing practices of trauma-informed yoga to empower survivors, while helping communities to develop the skills and knowledge to support them.

VISION STATEMENT:

Exhale to Inhale works to create a world in which every survivor has access to the healing practices of trauma-informed yoga.

 
 

 OUR VALUES

  • We all have the inherent power to heal ourselves.
  • We all have the right to feel strong and safe in our bodies.
  • We believe that given the space, we can honor our past experiences.
  • We believe in yoga’s ability to help us reconnect to ourselves and our worthiness.
  • We believe the individuals who work with survivors should be recognized and offered this healing practice.
 

At Exhale to Inhale, our vision for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Social Justice (IDEAS) is rooted in a growth mindset and allyship. By actively incorporating IDEAS principles into our work, we hope to create an environment that promotes equity, access, and collaboration. We hope to empower individuals while fostering a space where diverse voices are valued and everyone is invited to share their insights and perspectives as we evolve. In our pursuit of allyship, we emphasize cultivating relationships to build a community where survivors and others affected by sexual and domestic violence can find support and feel heard within our organization.

 

IDEAS VISION

 
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Community Voices
“I'm so proud to support Exhale to Inhale in the important work they do to provide the space and empowering survivors of abuse to heal and transform their trauma
“Healing from trauma is undeniably difficult, but possible. Exhale to Inhale makes it possible for so many survivors of abuse to take the steps necessary to gently transform their trauma and
“Exhale to Inhale's trauma-informed training opened a new door of possibilities for not only myself as a trauma-survivor, but my students and so many other individuals that
“At Exhale to Inhale, I found a community of people who want to teach others how to increase self-compassion and find a mind-body-spirit connection - integral skills for survivors and all of us.”
“I chose to teach for Exhale to Inhale because I believe healing is a right, not a privilege...”
“I know firsthand the benefits of reclaiming your intuition and your voice. It is my honor to hold space and offer that possibility to other survivors.”
“Being a part of this organization has provided me with so many invaluable ways to grow my education and teaching… and ultimately has influenced how I show up in the world on a daily basis.”
“The yoga practices we teach are empowering folks to find tools to guide them on their healing journey. The sense of community within Exhale to Inhale is inspirational, compassionate, and empowering.”
“Exhale to Inhale offers people the opportunity and space to reconnect with themselves during trying times…”
“Exhale to Inhale means the chance to support survivors of trauma by creating a community…”
“These yoga sessions were particularly engaging as they built upon one another from week to week, which created a sense of normalcy in my schedule…”
“Yoga with Exhale to Inhale provided the time for me to disengage from my day-to-day stressors and let in movement, breathing, and healthy thinking…”
“As a manager, I strongly believe intentional connection among teams and between colleagues is critical, always…”
“The instructor was approachable, incredibly knowledgeable and resourced…”
“It was even better than I expected. I learned so much that I am really grateful for…”
“I loved how diverse everyone's backgrounds were. Hearing how each individual planned to bring this trauma-informed training into their own communities was very exciting & inspiring…”
“This past weekend, I had the pleasure to partake in Exhale to Inhale's trauma-informed yoga training…”
“I love the work that Exhale to Inhale does…”
“I have had the privilege of working with Exhale to Inhale organization to offer free, weekly yoga classes to our clients for more than a year…”
“Partnering with Exhale to Inhale has been extremely beneficial to the women and children we serve…”
“Clients feel safe and welcome in these classes. Staff feel like they can breathe and just be for a few minutes. These classes are transformational…”
"Yoga brings me a dignity of carriage as well as physical strength..."
“My yoga practice gave me the compassion and release I needed to begin loving myself enough to take control of my life.”
“Been a while since I've done yoga and I love your approach about doing what feels right for our bodies, rather than one ‘right’ way…”
“The teacher was an excellent teacher, reminding us to ground and feel the textures under our hands and feet.  The overall effect of this session helped me feel my body and honor what came up.”
“After the trauma I had experienced, my body closed down. The practice of yoga physically helped me but also using the breath to really spread the stability has been night and day.“
“Yoga nourishes me … It literally saved my life on a daily basis.”
“My yoga practice gave me the compassion and release I needed to begin loving myself enough to take control of my life.”
“The classes have been so relaxing and uplifting. I always come out feeling more at ease and at peace.”
“I guess yoga is about getting to know yourself … We treat our bodies so badly and this feels like I'm treating my body right. I actually feel like somebody now.”
 

OUR PROGRAMS

Exhale to Inhale’s trauma-informed methodology is rooted in safety, simplicity, and choice-based philosophy. We offer classes for survivors, partner agency staff, and the community at large. We also train teachers, leaders, and counselors to lead in a trauma-informed way. Learn more about our programs below.

 
 

Trauma-Informed Yoga Classes

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Trauma-Informed Yoga Classes create opportunities for survivors to create new pathways to healing through our partner organizations and in the community.

 

Trauma-Informed Yoga Trainings

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Trauma-Informed Yoga Trainings create opportunities to expand the global network of trauma-informed professionals as we share new resources for supporting survivors.

 
 

OUR IMPACT

Using the tools of mindfulness, yoga movement, and breathing, Exhale to Inhale has developed an innovative, effective, and research-based methodology .

Trauma is not only an event but an experience held in the body.

Our methodology is self-empowering and provides survivors with the resources necessary to reconnect with their bodies, calm their nervous systems, and decrease levels of stress. Most importantly, once experienced, our methodology can be used anywhere and at any time.

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS

In addition to what research has already shown, Exhale to Inhale has conducted its own surveys in partnership with the New School for Social Research. We have been measuring the impact of our methodology since 2018. To date, over 400 participants have completed our surveys and participated in our research.

We measure stress, bodily pain, and sense of agency before and after an Exhale to Inhale Class. The data shows that students feel a statistically significant improvement across each wellness measurement.

Decrease in Stress

Decrease in Stress

Decrease in Bodily Pain

Decrease in Bodily Pain

Increase in Sense of Agency

Increase in Sense of Agency

EFFECTIVE ONLINE AND IN-PERSON

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As we adapted our post-class surveys to support our switch to online classes, we found that online classes held a consistent impact when compared to our in-person classes. Participants continued to report decreases in body sensations such as “feeling achey” and decreases in feelings of “anxiety” or “stress” after online classes with Exhale to Inhale.