Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Ramirez.
Alexandra, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My journey in yoga and service began a few years ago during a very difficult time in my life. A time where I felt like a plastic bag in the wind with no direction or purpose. I was originally introduced to yoga as a college elective course several years ago as an “easy A”, but it wasn’t until years later when I stepped into Dr. Steves heated power alignment class and was re-introduced to the practice that almost instantly changed my life and unfolded into my passion.
I became a registered yoga instructor within the same year and began teaching at local studios, to youth, and to athletes in my community (all while working a full-time job as an Executive Assistant). One morning while at work daydreaming about teaching yoga, I received a call (from my now mentor) that changed the trajectory of my story. Someone had recommended me to become a teacher for a really great non-profit organization called Yoga 4 Change! As a part of this organization, I would have the chance to teach yoga to populations that didn’t have access to yoga. I was elated because even as a kid, all I wanted to do was work with at-risk communities and without hesitation, I agreed to on-board.
I quit my full-time job two weeks later and joined the Y4C team in early 2019 as a teacher. I was eager, ready to learn, and ready to grow as a teacher and more importantly as a human. I gradually took on more responsibility with the organization and talked about Y4C every chance I could get. My love and dedication for the organization paid off several months later when I was offered a full-time position as the Director of Teachers & Community Outreach for the South Florida region.
Nowadays, my time is spent leading and teaching trauma-informed yoga alongside a team of powerfully inspiring teachers while creating long-term sustainability for the South Florida region. I also have the privilege of cultivating meaningful relationships with local businesses and members of the South Florida community.
Has it been a smooth road?
No way! I think any great act of service for the community (or any dream worth chasing for that matter) comes with its great victories and areas of improvement. As a non-profit, education and exposure of the work that we do in the community is a general obstacle to constantly work on overcoming because we are only as strong as our community support. Y4C serves four specific populations. This could potentially (hopefully not) limit our support to smaller niche communities that believe in our mission, have actually experienced the affects of yoga and meditation, and know the impact it can have on society.
Another obstacle Y4C has experienced across the board is student buy-in. Many of the students that we teach have never heard of yoga, don’t understand it, and/or don’t think it will ever positively affect their lives. The students that have heard of yoga are generally intimidated by the unrealistic postures they’ve seen on social media. Understandable. Every struggle we have endured is a lesson learned and an opportunity for growth!
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
Yoga 4 Change (Y4C) is a 501 c3 non-profit organization based out of Jacksonville, FL. Our Executive Director and Founder, Kathryn Thomas, founded Y4C in 2014. We just celebrated our sixth birthday! Kathryn was a military pilot – her story is incredible. In summary, she was medically discharged from the Navy and really went through a lot emotionally and physically as a result. She found herself again through yoga and wanted to bring this work to others like her, with similar struggles. From an organizational standpoint, Y4C serves four specific populations: veterans, at-hope youth, individuals who are incarcerated, and individuals in substance use recovery.
Though we have been around for six years in Jacksonville, Y4C is very new in each of our satellite regions, those being South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Orlando. We are known for creating meaningful connections with our students and overall providing a holistic approach to healing traumas through yoga and meditation. I think what sets us apart from other organizations is that we offer a novel, cost-effective way to address trauma and improve mental and physical health by integrating physical movement and breath with an evidence-based, proprietary curriculum.
The curriculum weaves character-building themes into a physical practice to empower veterans, incarcerated individuals, youth, and those in recovery. Our recent expansion SoFlo, Tampa, and Orlando come from a really great opportunity through the Florida Blue Foundation to conduct a statewide clinical research trial on the effects of adding yoga into the treatment process for individuals struggling with substance use. The Florida Blue grant was both written and received in response to the Opioid crisis so our current programming in the satellite chapters is focusing solely on our 16-week recovery curriculum.
As an organization, we take pride in the meaningful impacts we’ve made on our students on and off the mat. A lot of laughs, sweat, and tears have gone into the creation and sustainability of the organization and we are very proud of the amount of growth we’ve made in six years. It has not been easy, but so worth it. Our greatest moment of recognition thus far has come from a recent feature in National Geographic Magazine January 2020 edition, where they participated in a yoga class at a Duval County correctional facility led by our founder, Kathryn!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I love the most about our city is the melting pot of opportunities available to the community at any given time. No matter if you are into food, music, or health and wellness or all of the above, there is ALWAYS something going on and there is always something for everyone. What I dislike the most about our city is probably the obvious the traffic. It gives me the heebie jeebies!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.y4c.org
- Phone: 9546632692
- Email: aramirez@y4c.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/y4c_soflo
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/yoga4changesoflo
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/yoga_4_change
- Other: www.instagram.com/y4c_official
Image Credit:
Luis Vega
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