Yoga Accessible for All (YAFA)

Help anyone who wants to experience the universal benefits of yoga find a class that meets them where they are — turning an “I can’t” into an “I can” yoga experience. YAFA’s mission rested on three pillars: self-awareness, self-compassion, and self-agency.

Self-Awareness — YAFA guided individuals on a journey of self-discovery, helping them cultivate a deeper understanding of their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through the transformative power of yoga.

Self-Compassion — YAFA fostered a compassionate environment where everyone, regardless of age, physical ability, or background, could experience the healing benefits of yoga, encouraging self-compassion and acceptance.

Self-Agency — YAFA empowered individuals to take charge of their health and happiness. Through accessible yoga practices, it inspired a sense of self-efficacy, enabling participants to become active agents in their own well-being.

YAFA was dedicated to offering yoga programs that meet the differing needs of groups of people with life and health challenges. Its programs invited those who typically may not come to yoga because of varying challenges — from the normal issues of aging, to recovery from injury or illness, to mental health challenges, or anything that makes yoga seem impossible, inappropriate, or uninviting. Classes were offered in varying locations, either coming to a facility or hosting at a rented location.

YAFA teachers all obtained their 200RYT certifications, and many expanded their toolboxes with certifications such as 500HR, R4T, Yoga Therapy, RMTi, and more. YAFA teachers never acted as medical professionals; rather as yoga teachers adapting yoga to meet the needs of the group of students they were working with. Two teachers took on each program together, so they could get to know their students, support one another, and share teaching as their schedules allowed.

YAFA began in 2018 with co-founders Iris Mickey and Paul Mross as part of the social good accelerator. Their collaborative mission and intent was, and remains, clear: connect with teachers who have an interest in teaching underserved populations; connect with community agencies, organizations, support groups, and other community groups to develop programs; and connect with people who would like a yoga wellness class that feels welcoming and applicable to their life.

YAFA recognized the difference between yoga therapy and community yoga wellness classes, and was dedicated to offering regular yoga wellness classes adapted to meet the needs of the people participating. — Iris Mickey

YAFA is now part of Rise Above Yoga. The teachers, community, and accessible programs that YAFA built continue today under RAY.