MAKING MENTAL HEALTH A
WHO WE ARE
FoundedinNewJerseyin2007,KulaforKarmawasa pioneerinusingmedically-backedmindfulness practicestogivepeopleincrisistoolstoimprovetheir mentalandbehavioralhealth.Sincethen,Kulahas grownintoanational501(c)3nonprofitorganization withprogramsexpandingaroundthecountry.
Webelieveeveryhumanbeingdeserves thespace,time,andtoolstounderstand, manage,andimprovetheirmentalhealth, nomatterwhereorinwhatsituationthey mayfindthemselves.
Ourexpertshavedevelopedunique mindfulness-poweredmentalhealth programsthatinitiateandsustainhealing andhealththroughtheframeworkof scientifically-provensomaticpracticesthat supportandserveourclientstherestof theirlives.
OUR MISSION
KulaforKarma’smissionistofill criticalgapsinAmerica’sbroken mentalhealthcaresystembyproviding accessible,affordable,inclusive mindfulness-basedmentalhealth programstounderservedand marginalizedcommunitiesfacing trauma,addiction,andotherlifecrises.
Kulaismakingmentalhealthahumanrightby bringingascientifically-provencombinationof movement,breath,andawarenesstopeoplewho areoftenoverlookedbythehealthcaresystemand maynototherwisebeexposedtothehealing powerofmindfulnesstools.
WHAT WE DO
KulaforKarma’smindfulness-basedmental healthprogramscombineevidence-informed yogamovement,bodyawarenesspractices, nervoussystem-regulatingbreathwork, somatictraumareleaseandeducation,guided meditationandpro-socialpeersupport.
WHO WE SERVE
Wehaveapassionforunderservedandmarginalized communities,fillingtheseriousgapsinourtraditional mentalhealthsystembybringingmindfulness-based mentalhealthcaretothosewhoneeditmost:the incarcerated,theunemployed,theuninsured,the disenfranchisedanddisplaced,thehousingandfood insecure,thoseseekingshelterfromabuse,and thosetraumatizedbysystemicinjustice.
Weequippeopleinlife’scrisismomentswiththeskills toregroup,regainstrength,andrebuildtheirlives. WhenyouchoosetoworkwithKulaforKarma,youare alsohelpingmakeitpossibleforpeoplewhomaynever otherwiseencountermindfulnessorreceiveeffective, consistentmentalhealthcaretobenefitfromour programs.
WE MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
Kulacuratesprogramsuniquelydesigned forpeoplewhosehealthandwell-being havebeenimpactedbyandremain vulnerabletosystemicinjustice, discriminationandsocialviolence.
Historiesofoppressioncreate intergenerationaltraumapassedthrough ourDNA.Mindfulmovement-basedmental healthofferssomatichealingmodalities showntoshifttheexpressionofDNA,create newneuralpathways,andguideusoutof survivalpatternsintoempowerment.
Wealsoservethementalhealthofpeople onthefrontlinesofkeepingour communitieshealthyandsafe:doctors, nursesandmedicalprofessionals,EMTs, firefightersandpolice.
Department of Mental Health
OUR WORK IN PRISONS
Throughourlong-termworkincorrectionalfacilities, werecognizethatincarceratedindividualsface significantmentalandemotionalchallenges.The experienceofincarceration-combinedwithpast trauma,substanceuse,andsystemicbarriers-can makehealingandrehabilitationdifficult.Withoutthe righttools,stress,isolationandemotionaldistresscan feeloverwhelming.
Manyindividualsstrugglewithemotionalregulation, oftenbattlinganxiety,depression,andfrustrationinan environmentthatheightensstress.Withouthealthy outlets,unresolvedtraumacanfueldestructive behaviors,reinforcingcyclesofangerand disconnection.Mindfulness-basedpracticessuchas breathwork,movement,andbodyawarenessprovide essentialtoolsforgrounding,self-regulation,and resilience.
KulaforKarma’straumainformedapproachoffers asafe,non-judgemental spacewhereindividuals canprocesspast experiences,cultivate self-compassion,and regainasenseofagency intheirlives.Addressing traumaiskeytobreaking patternsthatleadto recidivism,helping participantsbuild emotionalresilienceand healthiercoping mechanisms.
Beyondindividual transformation,these practicescontributetoa morepositive atmospherewithinthe facility.Byimproving emotionalregulationand reducingstress-induced conflicts,mindfulness programsfostermore peacefulinteractions betweenincarcerated individualsandstaff, creatingamorestable environmentconducive torehabilitation.
OUR WORK IN THE YOUTH JUSTICE SYSTEM
Fornearly20years,KulaforKarmahasserved thousandsofyouthinthejusticesystem,including alternativeschools,detentioncenters,secure facilities,transitionalandresidentialprograms.
KulaforKarmaisanapprovedvendorfortheNew JerseyYouthJusticeConsortiumandhasdelivered successfultrauma-informedprogrammingatthe Morristown,NJJuvenileDetentionCenter(JDC) andiscontractedwithColoradoYouthDetention Continuumwhichoversees8JDsacrossthestate.
WehaveservedtwentyJDCsacrossthestateof Florida,inDepartmentofJuvenileJustice academies,andwithEckerdConnects’Strive Academy,acourt-mandated,facility-basedday treatmentprogramservingjustice-involvedyouth. Wehavealsoimplementedstatewidejuvenilejustice initiativesinNorthCarolina.
Drawingonmanyyearsofexperience,Kula'sprograms foryouthinthejusticesystemarespecificallydesigned tohelpthemfeelsafeintheirbodies,regulatetheir nervoussystem,balanceemotions,reducestress,build resilience,andactivelyunderstand,manage,and improvetheirownmentalandbehavioralhealth.
Programsarestructured,pro-social,andskill-based, impartingmethodsofself-careandwellness,socialemotionallearning,andphysiologicalawareness.We workfromamindfulfoundationofkindness, compassion,kinshipandself-love.
KulaforKarmahasalsoprovidedspecialworkshops forfamilymembersofjustice-involvedyouth includingparents,siblings,andcaregivers—atmanyof thesitesweserve.Thisallowsthefamilytofully understand andpotentiallyalsoadopt thetools andpracticestheirchildrenarelearningandutilizing. Thiscreateseducationalopportunities,family connection,andfamilysupportforthementalhealth stridestheyoutharemakingwithKula.
KulaforKarmasupportsfamiliesandchildrenthrough themedeventsandholidaygatherings,creating spacesforconnection,healing,andjoyduring meaningfultimesoftheyear.
Byengagingfamilies,westrengthenthesupport networkforreentryandlong-termsuccess.
KulaforKarmaoverseesprogramdesign,delivery,and evaluationwhilecultivatingstaffrelationshipsand youthmentoringthatensureservicesaregroundedin care,respect,andcommunityconnection.Weconduct surveysandstructuredinterviewswithyouthandstaff toassessoutcomessuchasself-awareness,stress reduction,emotionalregulation,social-emotionalskill development,andoverallwell-being.
Thisfeedbacknotonlydemonstratesprogram effectivenessbutalsoinformscontinuous improvement,ensuringthatourservicesremain responsive,relevant,anddeeplyimpactfulwithinthe youthjusticefacilitiesweserve.
expressedoverallsatisfaction withtheprogram
Takealookatsomeimpactdatafromour 2024-2025JDCprogram.Weconductedapostprogramsurveywith35participants.Theresults clearlydemonstratethevalueandrelevanceof ourprogramforjustice-involvedyouth: 89% 77%
learnedwaystomanagestress learnedtechniquestosupport self-control 69%
Thesequantitativeoutcomesaresupportedby powerfulparticipanttestimonials.
YOUTH CONSISTENTLY EXPRESSED HOW THE SESSIONS HELPED THEM FEEL CALMER, MANAGE DIFFICULT EMOTIONS, AND GAIN
PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR EVERYDAY CHALLENGES:
"IlikewhenIamhavingahardweekIcangoto yogaandithelpsmeclearmymind,ithelpsme outalot."
"Ithelpedmerelaxmymindandbody andthinkaboutthepositive."
"Thecalmbreathinginandouthelpsmewith stressandanxiety."
"WhenI’mupset,Imeditate."
Ourprogramsinyouthjusticefacilitieshavethe potentialtoshiftlifetrajectories,supportinghealthy responseregulation,improveddecision-making,anda reducedriskofrecidivism.
Researchbackstheseoutcomes:mindfulness-based interventionswithjustice-involvedandat-riskyouth havebeenshowntoreducestress,improvebehavioral andemotionalself-regulation,andincreaseoverall well-being(Seethestudy:Simpsonetal.,2019)
OUR WORK WITH RE-ENTRY
Ourprogramsarenotjustanenhancementto rehabilitation;theyareavitalcomponentofmenteal andemotionalwell-being.Byintegrating mindfulness,movement,andbreathwork,Kulafor Karmaequipsindividualswiththeskillstomanage stress,navigateemotions,andfosterinnerstability–layingthefoundationforhealing,rehabilitation, andafuturebeyondincarceration.
KulaforKarmahasextensiveexperienceinhelping individualsinthejusticesystemmindfullyand successfullyreentertheircommunities.
KulahasalongrelationshipwithTheDoeFund,aNew YorkCityinstitutionsincethe1980s,whichhashelped over128,000formerlyincarceratedmenbreakcyclesof povertyandrecidivismthrougheconomicopportunity, housingandsupportiveservices.
KulaforKarmaenhancesthismissionwith mindfulnessprogramsatmultipleDoeFundsitesin Brooklyn,theBronx,andHarlem.Theseprograms addresstraumaandnervoussystemdysregulation, helpingmencultivateemotionalbalance,clarity, confidence,andfocus.Bycombiningtheseefforts, particpipantsgainthetoolsneededtorebuildtheir livesholistically.
Impactreportfromoneofourmanyclasses: 7outof8participantsreportedanincreasedability tomanagestressanddifficultemotions 7outof8reportedfeelingadeepersenseof connectionwiththeircommunity Oneparticipantshared: “Ienjoyalltheyogaclasses.Ihavelearnedhowtorelax andhowtoreleasestressandanxiety.”
Reentrycanposemanychallengesaspeoplenavigatethe transitionbacktowork,relationshipsanddailylife.Our mindfulness-basedmentalhealthprogramsempower individualsreturninghomefromcorrectionalfacilitieswith skillsandtoolsthathelpthemreflectontheirjourneys withcompassion,resetnervoussystemdysregulation,and releasetraumathatcreatespatternsandcyclesofself sabotagetoimagineandcreateanewfuture.
Weprideourselvesoncustomizing mindfulness-basedmentalhealth programsspecificallytailoredtothe uniqueneedsofincarcerated individuals.Ourprogramsare designedtoaddressthechallenges facedbypeopleinprison,suchas emotionalregulation,stress management,andtraumahealing.
Weworkcloselywitheachfacility's staffandcounselorstounderstandthe specificneedsoftheirclientsandthe uniquedynamicsofthefacility. Bycollaboratingwithstaff,weensure thattheprogramswedevelopare mosteffectiveinofferingour participantsthetoolstheyneedto healandbuildresilience. Itallbeginswithaconversation. Reachouttoustoday:
JenniCrumptonRoss,President+CEO
jenni@kulaforkarma.org 917-456-2222
WHYMINDFULNESS-BASED MENTALHEALTH? OUR WHY
Kula'sapproachtomindfulness-poweredmentalhealthisbaseduponthe workofworld-renownedmedical,psychological,andtraumaexpertswho haveshownthatmostmentalhealthconditionsareprecipitatedbya biologicalresponsetotraumainthesympatheticnervoussystem becomingimprintedinthebody,causingmentalandphysical symptomsandbehavioralchanges,includinganxiety,depression, bipolar,schizophrenia,addictionanddangerousmaskingbehaviors.
Forpeoplewhoareincarcerated,thetraumaisoftentracedto childhood;althoughthrougheverylifestage,experiencesofabuse andneglect,foodandhousinginsecurity,socialviolenceand discrimination,lackofresources,restrictedaccesstomentaland physicalhealthcare,andexposuretosubstanceabuseandcrimehave asignificantimpact.
TIMErecentlypublishedanexpose reportingthattraditionaltherapyis notsolvingourmentalhealthcrisis.
AsseminaltraumaexpertsDr.Bessel vanderKolk(TheBodyKeepsthe Score)andDr.PeterLevine(Somatic Experiencing)haveshown,trauma livesinthebody.Forthisreason, Kulabelievesthemissinglinkinour mentalhealthcareissomatic interventions,suchasthe combinationofbreathingexercises movement,andcultivating awarenessofthebody.
Traumatypicallyisnotprocessed bythemind,becausetraumatic experiencesbypassthemore recentlyevolvedfrontalbrain(the seatofreasoning)andthesignal goesstraighttotheprimitive amygdala(theancientseatoffight orflightandsurvival). Thisnaturalprocesskeepsusalive underunthinkablecircumstances. Yetthesympatheticnervoussystem getsstuckinongoingfightorflight, andthoseunresolvedsurvival messagesgetstoredinthebody.
That'swhyourmemoriesof traumaticexperiencesareoften blurryandfragmented,oreven remainhiddenforyears.Andthat's whytherapyonlytakeshealingsofar. Traumaisn’tthemind'snarrative ofwhathappened,it'stheimprint oftheunresolvedsurvivalresponse loopinginthebody.
Wehavetensofthousandsof neuronsinourhearts,guts andthroughoutourbodies. Thesurvivalresponse trappedinournervous systemcreatesdiscomfort inourbodiestoalertus thatuntilitisphysically released,wewillcontinue tooperateasifwearein imminentdanger. Thisiswhy,whenleft unattended,wedevelop unbearablefeelingsinour bodies(anxiety,depression, fear,grief,pain,etc.),then, notbeingabletoreasonwhy orchangeitwithourthinking minds,oftenbegintoactout inuncharacteristicways.This oftenleadstoengagingin unhealthyavoidance behaviorsthatimpactour health,relationships,jobs andpersonalstability.
It'samyththatmental healthisonlyaboutthe mind.
Cultivatingawarenessofour bodiesandthefeelingswithin them,combinedwithyoga movementsandcontrolled breathingtechniques,havebeen scientificallyshownnotonlyto regulateandreleasethenervous system,butalsotoimpactthe expressionofourDNA(inciting healingofintergenerationalor inheritedtrauma)andcreatenew neuralpathwaysthathelpus developnewskils,perspectives, andhabits. Kula'smindfulness-basedmental healthmethodisacutting-edge, scientfically-backedwaytotruly begintoaddresstherootcauses ofmentalandbehavioralhealth conditionsandsymptoms,and takepeopleonajourneytoward realhealing.
HOW WE IMPLEMENT
KulaforKarmaconducts transformativeprogramsfor justice-involvedpeopleofallages, providingthemwithessentialtools tomanagestress,regulate emotions,improvesleep,and cultivateself-worth.
Ourtrauma-informedapproach fostersresilience,emotional balance,andlong-termwell-being, offeringindividualsapathwayto innerpeacedespitethechallenges ofincarcerationandreentry.
Ourprogramshelpparticipants staypresent,developselfregulationskillsthrough breathworkandaccessible movement,andestablish healthiercopingmechanismsfor emotionalchallenges.By integratingthesepractices, individualscanmakemoremindful decisions,buildemotional resilience,andbeginbreaking cyclesofnegativebehavior patterns.
AtKula,wealsoemphasize emotionalsupportand connection.Incarcerationcanbe anisolatingexperience,butour programsremindparticipantsthat theyarenotaloneintheirjourney. Healingispossible,andseeking supportisacourageousstep towardself-discoveryand transformation.
Toensurethegreatestimpact,we offercustomizedclassesledby trained,trauma-informed instructorswhounderstandthe specificchallengesof incarceration.Ourteachersare carefullyselectedtoconnectwith participantsinameaningfulway, fosteringtrustandaccessibility, Wealsoprovidebilingual instructorstoensureinclusivity andeffectivecommunication, creatingaspacewhereevery individualfeelsseen,heard,and supported.
OUR TEACHERS
KulaforKarmaspecificallytrainsourteachersonmindfulnessfor trauma,addiction,andmentalhealth. AllRegisteredYogaTeachers (RYT),manyofourteachersalsohaveadditionalcertificationsinmultiple mindfulnessandbreathworkpractices,aswellasdegreesandexperienceas mentalhealthprofessionalssuchaslicensedpsychologistsorlicensed socialworkers(LCSW).
Ourteachersestablishtrustandcreateengagementwiththoseweserve, addressingeachgroup'suniqueneedswithcompassion,patienceand nonjudgement.Theycreatecustomized,turn-keysolutionsformindfulnessbasedmentalhealthprogramstailoredtoindividualsandcommunitiesin theirenvironment,andmakethepracticesaccessibletoall.
WebelievethatKulateachersshouldreflecttheidentitiesandexperiences ofyourpopulationascloselyaspossible,allowingthemtoseethemselves inabalanced,thoughtful,andresourcefulindividual.Tofosterthis connection,wecollaboratewithyoutoselectteacherswhobestrepresent theparticipants,ensuringtheseindividualscanidentifywithandrelateto them.Therelationshipwiththeteacherbecomesahealingcenterpieceof theprogram.
Learnmoreaboutourteachershere.
KULATEACHERTESTIMONIALS:
“LastweekIchanneledmyownheavyheartfromlosinganoldfriendto suicideandfeelingsadaboutthefiresinLAintoagriefceremonyfor eachoftheunits.Itwasprettyincredibletowitnessthevulnerability theyleanedinto.
WestartedstandinginacircleandIlistedaseriesofstatementsabout loss(suicide,naturaldisaster,deathoflovedones,overdose,etc)ifit resonated,theytookastepintothecircle.Itwasapracticeof witnessingthepainweallsilentlycarryandgivingitaspacetobe witnessed,felt,movedthrough.
Severalwomenhademotionalreleasesandformedagrouphug.Some mencourageouslysharedabouttheirownexperienceofconsidering suicide."
Iendedeachceremonywithacallandresponsesong,"whatusedto holdmebackishelpingmerise”andtheyLOVEDthat.
-Brialle,KulaTeacher HudsonCountyCorrectional
OUR IMPACT
KulaforKarmaisanessentialpartofthesolutiontoournational mentalhealthcrisis,anduniqueinourfocusonincludingthe missinglinkinmentalhealthcare:addressingtraumainthebody.
Inthefaceofmonumentalneed,ourprogramsarehavingamore dramaticimpactthanever.Ourmindfulness-basedmentalhealth programsaremeetingpeoplewheretheyare,breakingdownbarriers, andprovidingdesperatelyneededaccesstoknowledgeandhealing practices.Byworkingwithustoserveyourcommunity,youarealso creatingopportunitiesforKulatoservecountlessothers.
Watchandreadadditionaltestimonialshere.
