Finding Peace Within”™s (FPW) Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) program has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Westchester Community Foundation, a division of the New York Community Foundation, to determine the effect of trauma informed yoga on youthful offenders at the Westchester County Department of Correction (WCDOC).
The feasibility study, in partnership with Pace University, will consider the effect of yoga ”“ which encourages a calm, nonjudgmental approach to challenges ”“ in building a foundation of resiliency, leadership skills, self-determination and diversion from future incarceration for residents ages 18 to 25 at the WCDOC.
FPW”™s pilot TCTSY program was developed by Elisha Fernandes, a licensed master social worker, Eye Movement, Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapist and Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator (TCTSY-F). FPW”™s program will complement WCDOC”™s programs, using an implementation of restorative practices to help manage anxiety, impulsivity and depression. TCSTY is an empirically validated, clinical intervention for complex trauma or chronic, treatment-resistant Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).”¯
“By using evidence-based strategies, this program helps our residents develop coping skills to
address underlying core issues that can lead to criminal behavior,” said Nory Padilla, first deputy commissioner of the Department of Corrections. “The objective is to reduce recidivism and to help our residents develop the tools and skills necessary to successfully return to the community. “
FPW”™s evidence-based curriculum intervenes in the youth”™s lives, providing them with rehabilitative services at a time when they are capable of change. Upon completion of TCTSY programs, participants have reported an increased ability to manage their anxiety ,and greater awareness of empathy and compassion. FPW”™s program reduces anxiety and depression, which have reached critical levels since the Covid pandemic, in part due to a lack of mental-health providers and facilities to address these conditions. Moreover, the implementation of trauma informed yoga has also been shown to reduce incidents of violence both nationally and worldwide. Studies demonstrate that participants are less reactive, reduce incidents of infractions and foster beneficial relationships with peers and supervisors.”¯
“According to research, the rate of recidivism significantly reduces approximately 40% after meditation and yoga programs are utilized,” Fernandes said. “Additionally, these interventions enhance receptivity to rehabilitation and foster compassion and healthy engagement with others, establishing a solid foundation in transforming their values to positively support their peers and community.”
For more, visit Fernandes at findingpeacewithin.info, @ElishaFPW, LinkedIn.
