In support of our own findings, research confirms that yoga is proving to be a low-cost, low-technology intervention strategy for helping diverse populations address and reduce the health-eroding effects of chronic stress. HYF is responding to this community need by offering therapeutic yoga to those who otherwise would not have access to it.

At-Risk Populations

• Positive Parenthood Project at Compass Family Services
• Clara House / Compass Family Services
• Mission Neighborhood Clinic
• SF Veterans Hospital
• San Francisco Juvenile Hall
• Covenant House
• The Gilead House

Health -Affected Populations

• Commonweal Cancer Help Program
• Cancer Support Retreat Days
• Condition-Based Programs | Parkinson's | Chronic Pain
• Condition-Based Training Programs for Cancer Support:

At-Risk Populations

• Positive Parenthood Project at Compass Family Services: a weekly stress management class that supports homeless and/or at-risk parents and families.
• Clara House / Compass Family Services: four stress management class series annually in conjunction with the Clara House, a transitional housing program serving previously homeless families.
  
  Compass Family Services (CFS) provides housing, education and employment services to San Francisco's homeless and at-risk families. The agency's six programs support more than 3,000 parents and children each year in their efforts to achieve stability and self-sufficiency. Their family programs are Connecting Point, Compass Family Shelter, Compass Family Resource Center, Compass SF home, Clara House, and the Tenderloin Childcare Center (TLC).
  
  In the last three years, over 75 percent of participants in our stress reduction program for the homeless at Compass Family Services consistently reported feeling better, relating to family better, and experiencing an improved overall quality of life.
  
  Research has shown that low-income communities are particularly susceptible to high levels of stress and its associated health concerns. Individuals from lower socioeconomic status (SES) communities often suffer from Òtoxic stressÓ due to higher rates of crime and conflict in their environments, financial burden, and limited access to health care. Such prolonged exposure to stressors triggers emotional, behavioral, and physical responses that contribute to poor health.
  
  Adler N, et al, "Reaching for a Healthier Life: Facts on Socioeconomic Status and Health in the United States", The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Socioeconomic Status and Health, 2008.
• Mission Neighborhood Clinic: a weekly class for the clinic's staff. The goal is to help staff develop tools to manage stress as they face the challenges of serving underserved and disenfranchised Latino populations in San Francisco.
• SF Veterans Hospital: a twice-weekly stress management class for veterans with co-occuring substance use disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. Our goal is to help reduce symptoms, support sobriety and improve overall health.
  
  A quote from a SF Veterans Hospital manager concerning the impact of HYF's PTSD program:
  
  "Thus far, the results of this class have been impressive. Veterans have expressed tremendous gratitude...Reported improvements include better pain management, decreased irritability and anger/rage, including less anger while driving and improved conflict resolution with spouses, decreased anxiety, improved blood pressure, and improved balance. Veterans have reported using the techniques outside of session to effectively cope with a variety of stressful situations."
• San Francisco Juvenile Hall: a monthly stress management class for Juvenile Hall staff. The goal is to help staff cultivate tools to reduce stress as they face the challenges of working with troubled youth.
• Covenant House: a weekly class for at-risk/homeless teens in transitional housing in Oakland, to provide tools to manage stress, support health and positively impact their daily lives.
• The Gilead House: a twice-weekly class for at-risk/unwed mothers in their teens and early twenties who have suffered from abuse and are living in transitional housing in Marin County.

Health -Affected Populations

• Commonweal Cancer Help Program: six, week-long residential retreats each year for those facing a cancer diagnosis, held at Commonweal in Bolinas, CA.
• Cancer Support Retreat Days: day-long retreats for those with cancer (and their partners/caregivers) held at our center in San Francisco in collaboration with Commonweal.
  
  "The program was like a dose of caring Commonweal in my own backyard... The opportunity to connect with others living with cancer was invaluable." -LH
  
  "Thank you for lovely, thoughtful program. The kindness, care, and pace were wonderful and nourishing. The leaders created a safe, relaxed, welcoming space immediately. Sensitive & respectful program." -PM
• Condition-Based Programs: five (multi-week) series for people suffering from chronic conditions such as chronic pain and Parkinson's disease. Our goal is to alleviate symptoms, reduce pain and manage illness.
• Condition-Based Training Programs for Cancer Support: HYF to develop and launch a 75-hour Advanced Cancer Support Teacher Training Program. This program will provide teachers with the background, principals, and techniques so they can safely and appropriately teach yoga to people with cancer and replicate our model of day-long support retreats.
• On Site Financial Aid at HYF: discounted (or free) services for low-income, health-affected individuals referred to our center through doctors, outreach programs and various other sources. In 2011, HYF anticipates serving 150 people at our San Francisco center with financial aid.