Transformation Yoga Project is committed to increasing access to trauma-sensitive yoga among communities impacted by trauma, addiction, and incarceration.

We know that mindfulness-based practices build resilience in the face of life’s challenges, and are focused on serving populations in the Greater Philadelphia area. Our highly-trained instructors offer a breath-centered yoga practice based on proven methods to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression, activate the relaxation response, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress. 

Rounding out a decade of serving the community, TYP has facilitated classes and workshops that served thousands of people in stated prisons, federal prisons, county jails, juvenile detention centers, alternative high schools and court diversion programs, residential recovery treatment centers, PHP and IOP programs, behavioral health settings, collegiate recovery clubs, and schools in underserved districts.

As TYP and the communities it serves continue to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are focused on returning to in-person instruction for incarcerated people, empowering inside instructors who kept classes alive throughout lockdown, and partnering with organizations to provide trauma-informed trainings.

---

Founded in 2013, Transformation Yoga Project has offered classes at prisons, reentry centers, in-patient recovery centers, sober living homes, juvenile detention centers, foster care residences and alternative schools. TYP’s trainings have educated hundreds of area yoga instructors, educators, social workers, and therapists about trauma’s impact on the body and the proven benefits of yoga to build resilience. We’ve worked with over 65 institutions, including the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, the PA State Correctional Institutions at Phoenix and Chester, and the Baylor (DE) State Correctional Institution. TYP received national recognition for its pioneering 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, a six-month study of yoga and practices that provided teaching certification to men residing at State Correctional Institutions Chester and Phoenix.

TYP’s educational service includes two books: Yoga For Recovery: A Practical Guide for Healing, a practical guide to maintain or create a home-based yoga practice; and Going Om: A CEO’s Self-Discovery Behind Bars, a behind-the-scenes look at life in a men’s correctional facility that reveals the immediate need for prison reform, and the inspiration behind TYP’s founding and vision.

TYP’s core vision and values are enumerated on our here, centering on our belief in the unlimited potential inherent in all individuals and communities: 

• We believe in people.
• We believe in the unlimited capacity of individuals and the radical possibilities of community.
• We envision liberation, justice, and compassion for each of us and all of us together.

---

Book Giveaways — Another Way to Be Of Service

Yoga For Recovery: A Practical Guide for Healing

As we recalibrate our efforts to be primarily focused on serving people affected by incarceration, we are partnering with organizations who are committed to providing trauma-sensitive yoga and mindfulness programming within the recovery community.

In 2018, our founder Mike Huggins and Andrew J. Moore wrote a book, Yoga For Recovery: A Practical Guide For Healing. We know that in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, this resource may be more valuable than ever — and are facilitating a giveaway of this book to organizations doing this important work!

If you would like to apply to receive copies for your organization, please fill out the form below!

→ Apply Here to Receive Copies of Yoga For Recovery ←

Going Om: A CEO’s Self-Discovery Behind Bars

Going Om: A CEO’s Self-Discovery Behind Bars is a behind-the-scenes look at life in a men’s correctional facility, complete with alarming and surprisingly funny stories. TYP founder Mike Huggins shares letters he wrote form inside, lessons he learned along the way, and how he found strength, tools, and direction through his yoga practice.

As we continue to serve people affected by incarceration, we are offering a giveaway of this resource to incarcerated people and the organizations that serve them. You may also invite Mike to speak at your organization or in correctional facilities.

If you would like to apply to receive copies for your organization, or invite Mike to speak, please fill out the form below!

→ Apply Here to Receive Copies of Going Om ←

---

Latest News from Transformation Yoga Project

August 2022: TYP announces two upcoming trainings. The first will be held September 24–25, a Trauma-Informed training will be held in partnership with, and primarily geared toward teachers with, Yoga4Philly and Roots2Rise. The second, Yoga for Recovery and Mental Health will be October 7–9, in partnership with Sync Recovery.

March 2022: TYP announces a book giveaway of Going Om: A CEO’s Self-Discovery Behind Bars to organizations that serve incarcerated individuals and people affected by incarceration.

February 2022: TYP announces a book giveaway of Yoga For Recovery: A Practical Guide for Healing to organizations that serve the recovery community.

January 2022: TYP releases its 2021 Year-End Report. Highlights include: the distribution of $250,000 to friend and partner organizations, mentorship and distribution of materials to 23 organizations nationwide, continued programming throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, educational, recovery, and behavioral health program creation and support, and a return to in-person programming at state prison.

December 15, 2021: We recalibrated in order to still be of service, and will not be sundowning at the end of the year. Please take a moment to read our updated recent announcement on this exciting news.

May 10, 2021: Please take a moment to read about our recent announcement on our decision to release our remaining assets to fund national and local organizations that will continue our mission of furthering trauma-sensitive yoga classes, mindfulness, and training.

December 20, 2020: Transformation Yoga Project elects Nicole Anderson as Board President, replacing Founder Michael Huggins. View Nicole’s bio here.

April 2020: Transformation Yoga Project donates $30,000 to Philadelphia-based organizations providing front-line support during the Covid19 crisis.

February 2020: TYP releases its 2019 Annual Report. Highlights include: 24,000 participants in attendance, 3,300 classes throughout Greater Philadelphia and Delaware, 65 program partners, over 500 donors, a 10-person team and a roster of 59 dedicated contract instructors.

Contacts:

Nicole Anderson, Board President
nicoleanderson251@gmail.com

Mike Huggins, Founder
mike@transformationyogaproject.org