As an Ashtanga Yoga practitioner I can tell you first hand the benefits of practicing yoga--this profound practice has helped to keep me sober, it has provided me with a more stable mental clarity and physically it has made me stronger! When I began Ashtanga yoga I suffered from depression and anxiety. My body was unfit and I had never practiced yoga before. I lacked mental clarity and direction. Yoga saved my life'I no longer need antidepressants daily and I maintain my sobriety through this practice. I am more confident and flourishing as person in my community and my personal life. My name is Windi and I spent 2016 volunteering for the Trini Foundation here in Columbus, Ohio. The Trini Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to bringing the life-changing practice of Ashtanga yoga to those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. The Executive Director Taylor Hunt is very active in his own personal recovery and knows the benefits of the yoga in maintaining sobriety and is very passionate about the number one mission of the organization--saving lives.
This is the first year that the Trini has served the Columbus community with this life changing form of yoga. The Foundation has been very successful in helping many men and woman who are active in recovery maintain their sobriety through the practice of Ashtanga yoga.
How have I helped? Most of my work with this organization has been behind the scenes. I have helped to start many community initiatives, such as being part of the Lucky's market 'bags of change' program. I initiated Kroger community rewards and a 'spange for change' program that ran all summer at Ashtanga Yoga Columbus. All of these initiatives helped to raise some money to support their programs and scholarship efforts. But there's still work to be done. There is a significant problem with addiction within the Central Ohio community and the Trini Foundation needs extra support to keep their mission alive.
Beyond the fundraising, I also spent several months donating my time to help run their social media outlets such as twitter, Facebook and Instagram. I have personally donated not only my time but money. I truly believe this organization is changing lives through providing the community with the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. The practice of Ashtanga Yoga is known for its healing properties. As stated by USnews.com, Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, a professor with the Institute for Behavioral Medicine research at Ohio State University College of Medicine, 'Yoga has a meditation component that is not true of other exercise. That aspect makes a difference.' Ashtanga yoga is a valuable tool in ensuring people on their personal sobriety journey are successful.
In 2016 the Trini Foundation has serviced local organizations such as the Amethyst, Maryhaven's Women's program and OSU students collegiate. In September, during National recovery Month, the Trini Foundation partnered with yoga studios across the country to raise awareness and money to bring scholarship opportunities to students in California and Alaska, because addiction knows no boundaries.
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