Sarah Nowak

Brochure Assignment
MASC 333 – 001
Professor Crenshaw
Last revised 4/16/2018

Section 1:

 My organization is Project Yoga Richmond, with the focus being how yoga can promote
growth and an overall sense of wellbeing within an entire community regardless of the
background individuals come from.
 Focus points for the brochure are going to be the following:
o How yoga can significantly decrease stress, greatly benefiting all types of
populations.
o How yoga can build structure and promote self confidence for young children and
underprivileged youth
o When exposed to yoga frequently, those with Autism and learning disabilities were
displaying improvements “in sensory integration, attention, sensory defensiveness, and
increased verbal receptivity for commands related to spatial perception”
o Yoga has been proven to decrease stress and anxiety for those who suffer from
various addictions and mental disorders by regulating and balancing hormone
levels, making it the perfect accompaniment to other forms of treatment.
o These are some of the bigger highlights of just a few of the 22 outreach programs
being offering by Project Yoga Richmond, always in a pay-what-you-can setting.

 Project Yoga Richmond is doing everything within their grasp to benefit the Richmond
community, leaving no demographic out of the equation.

Section 2:

Project Yoga Richmond is paving the way for a Community that’s Happier
and Healthier; and nobody’s getting left out.
There are many demographics within all communities that have a tendency to be forgotten. The
elderly, the disabled, the underprivileged and the addicted; society has a tendency to put the focus
on healthier individuals, and disregard those who need the extra attention. This is where a
nonprofit like Project Yoga Richmond comes into play. Unlike any yoga studio in Virginia, Project
Yoga Richmond has established over 22 outreach programs to provide support to those who could
otherwise be overlooked. On top of these incredible outreach programs, all of their classes are
built around a pay-what-you-can base; taught by some of Richmond’s most prominent yoga
teachers.
Section 3:

Yoga has been noted to Drastically Decrease Stress Levels; Something

Everyone, Everywhere can Benefit From
 The Sonima Foundation, funded by some of the worlds richest, has been working with
schools across California bringing yoga twice a week to the students in grades K-8. The
program is funded for the next 3 years and they hope to see an 80% decrease in discipline
issues.
o Since the program started last year, students have reported a 36% increase in self-
confidence, 39% decrease in school suspensions, and a 4% increase in attendance.
 According to the U.S National Library of Medicine and National Institute of Health yoga has
made drastic “improvements in sensory integration, attention, sensory defensiveness, and
increased verbal receptivity for commands related to spatial perception” for those living
with Autism.
 The Harvard Medical Journal noted that yoga could benefit those dealing with anxiety and
depression “by reducing perceived stress and anxiety, yoga appears to modulate stress
response systems.”
 After studying the biological correlation between drug abuse and yoga, Stanford University
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences Roy King, Ph.D., M.D., found that
“yoga had the ability to inhibit the dopamine surge that addicts can get from using.”
 TIME Magazine recently published a report consisting of multiple scientific reviews
suggesting, “Yoga and other mindfulness exercise can reverse stress-related changes in
genes linked to poor health and depression.” This is due to the fact that those who
practiced yoga had “fewer signs of inflammation, including a decrease in production of
inflammatory proteins.”

Section 4:

PYR knows how important it is to keep stress levels low, which is why they
aren’t letting you stress about how much you’re spending on a class
Project Yoga Richmond created the studio in an attempt to bring yoga to all people of Richmond
without adding to their # 1 stressor; money.

 Established over 22+ different outreach programs.

 Now regularly providing 1200-1500 individuals with yoga each month.
 Provides opportunities for anyone in the community to get involved through their
volunteer and ambassador programs.
Section 5:

Project Yoga Richmond wants to get the Entire Community Involved;

whether it’s through Teaching, Volunteering, or Simply Attending.
Project Yoga Richmond wouldn’t be able to uphold its Pay-What-You-Can environment without
the immense amount of community support received. With a multitude of options to get involved,
they invite everyone across the spectrum to help the nonprofit continue to progress.

 Become an ambassador – anyone who is a certified yoga teacher, or social media influencer
can get involved through promoting the website through their own social media or
teaching a class after filling out a short application.
 Become a volunteer – anyone ages 10+ can become a volunteer at Project Yoga Richmond.
With options ranging from front desk check-in, administrative work, photography,
communications content, fundraising…. the list goes on. There’s a way to get involved for
everyone.
 Simply donate to the cause! Project Yoga Richmond has a quick and easy way to show your
support with the option to donate on their website.

Section 6:

Here’s how to get Involved:

 Ambassador

 Volunteer
 Donate
 Citations:

Harvard Health Publishing. (2017, July 2). Yoga for anxiety and depression. Retrieved April 09, 2018,
from https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/yoga-for-anxiety-and-depression

MacMillan, A. (2017, June 16). Yoga and Meditation Can Protect Genes From Stress. Retrieved April
09, 2018, from http://time.com/4822302/yoga-meditation-genes-stress/

O'Connor, L. (2017, December 07). How Yoga Could Change The Lives Of Students In One Low-
Income Community. Retrieved April 09, 2018, from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/13/yoga-
low-income-youth_n_6773378.html

Radhakrishna, S., Nagarathna, R., & Nagendra, H. R. (2010). Integrated approach to yoga therapy and
autism spectrum disorders. Retrieved April 09, 2018, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3151379/

Streeter, C. C., Whitfield, T. H., & Owen, L. (2010, November). Effects of Yoga Versus Walking on
Mood, Anxiety, and Brain GABA Levels: A Randomized Controlled MRS Study. Retrieved April 09,
2018, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3111147/

The Benefits of Yoga in Addiction Treatment -. (2014, June 06). Retrieved April 09, 2018, from
https://bradfordhealth.com/benefits-of-yoga/