Yoga access is not a reality for all communities equally. In Chicago, access to yoga is limited to mostly affluent areas. Health disparities and life expectancy gaps exist between lower-income and upper-income neighborhoods - as high as 30 years of difference.
We aim to close these gaps…with the healing power of yoga.
Transforming Lives Through Yoga for All!
YogaCare catalyzes the spread of yoga in under-resourced communities to promote health. Since 2012, we have designed programming that is always free or donation-based for people of all ages, races, cultures, shapes, sizes, abilities - in both English and Spanish in high-need areas of Chicago that have little to no access to yoga. Skilled trauma-informed teachers facilitate programs - many are from partner communities or trained through our scholarships. Employee wellness services make the whole workplace system healthier, inspiring community health.
Our programs increase access to invigorating yoga in communities that historically have been systematically overlooked. In doing so, we promote racial justice and healing justice.
The YogaCare Path to Health
Community Yoga Classes
We partner with neighborhood organizations to co-create customized, safe, and welcoming yoga programs for individuals of all levels and backgrounds to manage stress, pain, and health conditions, heal trauma, and foster community.
Training & Scholarships
Annual scholarships make yoga teacher training a reality for community members across Chicago - growing the workforce of yoga teachers in communities of color, including our 200-hr teacher training program in Spanish.
Employee Wellness
Creating cultures of wellness at partner organizations, we offer online, in-person, and e-learning solutions to address the exponentially growing challenge of burnout - integrating mind-body practices into customized sessions.
Socially Engaged Yoga Network (SEYN)
In partnership with YogaCare’s mission and values, SEYN supports yoga teachers and community organizations committed to sharing the benefits of yoga with under-resourced communities in the Chicagoland area. SEYN builds partnerships in the fields of community health, social services, environmental sustainability, and education to improve health, empower communities, and leverage resources for positive social change.
What People Are Saying!
“Thank you. This was a beautiful way to spend my afternoon. All of you, the facilitators and attendees, it was a beautiful, gentle, peaceful space, that brought purity, innocence, strength, understanding, self-care, community, connection, and the love was prominent. With all my heart, thank you.”
“I have been recommending this class to so many colleagues!! Hopefully, I will convince them soon :)”
“Mi dolor de espalda se fue por completo el día de la clase. (My backache completely went away the day of the class).”
“Dr. Larry Turner’s expertise, his positive energy & his valuable teachings are much appreciated!”
“Really enjoyed and benefited from the squats and mornings. My hip was not hurting at all after class!”
“Taking time to slow down and prioritize self-care & seeing coworkers do the same is rewarding.”
“Me ayudó a relajarme y a quitarme el estrés. Después de la clase me sentí mucho mejor. Los músculos se me relajaron mucho. (The class helped me relax and relieve stress. After class I felt much better. My muscles relaxed a lot.”
“I came to the realization that meditation is more accessible than I had previously realized.” ”
“I learned how to breathe correctly. The instructor helped me visualize how to train myself how to do the exercises correctly, especially which body part I needed to work on.”
“Deb’s propensity to teach while she’s showing us poses was very useful when seeking deeper info. She delves into the reason behind what we’re doing, its benefits and history.” ”
Get Involved!
Give
Offering your time, talent, and treasure - you can make a difference in the health of communities throughout Chicagoland. See how you can join our movement for creating equitable access to yoga and wellness!
Volunteer
YogaCare has a variety of volunteer roles in marketing, social media, finance, fundraising, event planning, data & evaluation, grant writing, legal services, and more. Take a peek at the ways you could pitch in!