Lotus of Hope Yoga

Founded in 2024 to address the gap in accessible, body-based healing resources for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, Lotus of Hope is a St. Louis–based nonprofit dedicated to providing free, trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness classes. We partners with shelters and community agencies to deliver programming directly where survivors already receive support, allowing our services to be offered in trusted, supportive environments that reduce barriers to care.

Trauma Informed Yoga offers a powerful and compassionate path to healing by addressing the deep connections between the body, mind, and nervous system. Lotus of Hope yoga classes incorporate the tenants of trauma informed care into mindful movement and breath, encouraging participants to reclaim choice and agency, restore a sense of safety and trust, and gently regulate the nervous system on the path to healing.

Trauma related to domestic and sexual violence frequently extends beyond emotional distress, commonly manifesting as physiological symptoms including nervous system dysregulation, chronic muscle tension, digestive issues and disconnection from bodily awareness. For this reason, body based modalities are an integral part of the healing process. Trauma-informed yoga provides a gentle, body based approach to healing that supports nervous system regulation and empowers survivors to rebuild a sense of safety and connection in their bodies, supporting overall physical and mental wellbeing. 

Lotus of Hope classes integrate core tenants of trauma informed care; Safety, empowerment, trustworthiness, collaboration, and peer support.