In 2016 we started as BodyWise Institute, an organization dedicated to trauma recovery through the body. In our first year, we established a powerhouse group of contributors and passionate visionaries to serve as our Board of Directors. We launched our 50-hour Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training and partnered with agencies to provide trauma-informed yoga to survivors. During our second year, we
expanded to offer trainings in 10 cities across the US and internationally. We developed 6 continuing education (CEU) training programs for professionals on the front lines of trauma. As we gained momentum, we developed a pathway for organizations to become certified as trauma-informed. As we encountered inequities in access to trauma recovery and healing for those outside the dominant culture, it became clear that a not-for-profit partner was needed for BodyWise Institute. Thus the Rise Up Foundation was born. Here at Rise Up we offer scholarships to minorities, with a focus on women of color, to attend professional training at BodyWise Institute. Graduates of our trauma trainings are eligible to apply for a mentorship program where they are supported to become pillars and leaders in their communities. Our non-profit offers self-study action groups for white people who want to become allies, and we are currently developing a Social Justice training for corporations. We are diligently working to expand our reach and are building an international aid program, seeking collaboration with people from diverse backgrounds, and partnering with organizations to make this work more accessible. We recognize that recovering from trauma is only part of the pathway to peace. We are turning towards the same practices that help us move out of survival mode to ask, “How can we thrive?” “How alive, connected and vibrant can we be?”
The Rise Up team is largely fueled by dedicated volunteers who support our mission from the ground up. Our volunteers are involved in everything from teaching classes to fundraising, to organizational support. We are so grateful.
