About > About Us
ABOUT RISE ABOVE YOGAWe are an organization offering trauma-informed yoga for incarcerated individuals and justice-impacted communities. We believe in healing over punishment to support individuals to rise above trauma, adversity, and structural violence towards rehabilitation and holistic wellbeing.
Who we serveIncarcerated adults, justice-impacted youth, people navigating reentry or treatment, seniors, and people whose disabilities, financial circumstances, and other life experiences limit access.
where we serveSouthern Wisconsin - primarily Madison and Dane County and the Milwaukee area, with programming at Robert E. Ellsworth Correctional Center in Union Grove.
Mission
Our mission is to provide safe, accessible, and trauma-informed yoga for incarcerated and justice-impacted communities to support resilience and rehabilitation on the journey from incarceration to re-entry.
Vision
We envision a cultural shift in addressing crime, substance abuse, and mental health. We advocate for people-centered, dignity-focused, & community-based approaches to addressing these issues.
Where we serve
Our Values
Adapted from the Prison Yoga Project.
Safety
People are at their best when they feel a sense of safety and belonging. We prioritize creating a supportive environment that fosters trust, resilience, and personal transformation. In doing so, we allow space for people to explore moving beyond their comfort zone, express themselves authentically and with integrity, and embark on transformative journeys with confidence.
Continous Learning
We believe in ongoing learning, growth, and staying informed. Continuous learning allows us to adapt and improve, ensuring we remain effective, evidence-based, and responsive to conditions. It encourages personal and professional development, promotes innovation, and strengthens our organization’s capacity to effect positive change.
Integrity
We believe in acting with honesty, transparency, and consistency, ensuring that our words align with our deeds. Living the value of integrity requires holding ourselves accountable, acknowledging our mistakes, accepting responsibility, and accepting the consequences of our actions.
Inclusivity
We embrace our shared humanity and strive to transcend division by valuing and respecting the unique perspectives and experiences of all people. Fostering inclusivity supports a sense of belonging, harnesses the power of diverse voices, and paves the way for collective growth.
Equity
We recognize that people face different challenges and experience different privileges and discrimination due to social, economic, and racial disparities. By striving for equity, we aim to level the playing field, reduce inequalities, and provide equitable access to healing resources and opportunities for all.
Values StatementWe offer yoga in the places and to the people who are most often left out of it. We start with safety, so every space we hold is trauma-informed, predictable, and built on consent. We practice inclusivity: every body, history, and ability is welcome, just as it is. We work toward equity by bringing free and low-cost yoga to incarceration facilities, re-entry programs, and community spaces. We act with integrity, showing up consistently and doing what we say we'll do. And we commit to continuous learning, growing alongside our participants, our facilitators, and our partners.
History
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![Line drawing of a person sitting cross-legged with hands together in prayer position, eyes closed, smiling peacefully.]()
2014
Dane County Jail - Women’s Program established by Penny Ballantyne
