Exhale to Inhale originally started as an idea from a college student.
On the cusp of graduation, Zoë LePage developed a project that connected survivor advocacy organizations with trauma-informed yoga classes.
Survivors soon began sharing that they felt a decrease in their stress, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms post-class. They also felt a stronger sense of agency and empowerment – feelings that lasted long after they had left the mat.
Today, 12 years later, that initial idea has grown into a deeply rooted, community-centered nonprofit named Exhale to Inhale.
Our mission: Using trauma-informed yoga to empower survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, while also providing communities with the tools and knowledge to support them.
Here’s how we’re bringing our mission to life and how you can get involved.
Why trauma-informed yoga?
We believe that no survivor, no matter their circumstances, should be alone and without support on their healing journey.
Trauma-informed yoga offers survivors a powerful, body-based path to healing. Through breath, movement, and choice, trauma-informed yoga practices help regulate the nervous system, rebuild a sense of safety, and foster reconnection—supporting both physical and emotional well-being.
Many survivors struggle to access traditional therapy due to stigma, financial barriers, or discomfort with talk therapy. Trauma-informed yoga provides an accessible, empowering alternative to engage survivors and promote broader healing through regular practices that honor their sense of choice and safety.
Trauma-informed yoga supports both physical and emotional well-being without requiring survivors to retell their stories.
Across our programs, we’re focused on creating safe spaces that meet survivors where they are – in shelters, crisis centers, college campuses, or the privacy and comfort of their own homes. In our research, published in the Violence Against Women Journal, we’ve learned that trauma-informed yoga helps participants regulate their nervous systems, rebuild a sense of safety, and foster reconnection through breath, movement, and choice.
Post-class, participants shared:
- 91% felt a decrease in anxiety
- 96% felt a decrease in stress
- 86% felt a decrease in bodily pain
By offering accessible, inclusive practices, survivors of all backgrounds and abilities can engage in healing on their own terms.
Bringing trauma-informed yoga into the community
Despite being a small team of just two full-time and two part-time employees, Exhale to Inhale continues to meet the growing demand for services by both survivors and community partners. Our programming includes:
Partner Program
Through our ever expanding Partnership Program, we collaborate with nonprofits, shelters, and crisis centers across the U.S. and Canada to bring their communities and staff trauma-informed yoga as healing series.
- 81 nonprofit, shelter & crisis center partners across 17 U.S. States & Canada
- 2,722 individuals served in 2024 by our partner program
- 4,500 classes taught in 2024 to partners
Interested in learning more about our partner program? Reach out at partnerships@exhaletoinhale.org.
Public Classes
Each year, we offer 36 weeks of live, virtual public classes that are free to the public. These classes emphasize that participants come as they are, no special clothes, equipment or experience needed.
“In today’s class, I was able to practice letting go of the tensions in my mind. I have PTSD and anxiety, and my body can hurt because of those. But when the teacher reminded me I was able to relax even my racing mind, it felt amazing.” – Previous class attendee
Sign-ups are already available for our September Term 3 classes.
Training Program
Throughout the year, we offer comprehensive trauma-informed yoga training to yoga teachers, healthcare workers, and wellness professionals. These trainings equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to create safe, inclusive spaces for those affected by trauma. In 2024, we trained 868 individuals. 92 percent of these trainees shared that post-training, their confidence to serve individuals impacted by sexual or domestic violence had grown.
To ensure accessibility, we offer full scholarships, BIPOC community rates, and discounted tickets for those incorporating trauma-informed practices into their work. Learn more about our next available training here!
From Wellness to Wellbeing College Program
For the past year and a half, Exhale to Inhale has partnered with over 10 New York City-based colleges to bring in-person and on-demand trauma-informed classes to their students, staff, and faculty. Our college program also provides crucial trauma-informed training opportunities and in 2024, our program reached:
- 10,071 students through trauma-informed yoga classes, education, training, and public awareness
- 79 fraternities and male-identified peers through cultivating allyship trainings
- 157+ faculty, staff, and students for collective trauma-informed yoga workshops
Looking ahead
Our work is made possible because of the support of our community. As we look ahead, we’re more determined than ever to remove even more barriers to care and support even more survivors globally.
To join us in this work, we invite you to:
- Register for our Upcoming winter training to learn how to integrate trauma-informed care into your work.
- Follow up on social media! Keep up to date with our events, programs, and classes by following us across our social platforms.