The future of this country is being shaped by the development of our youth. Yet every day, 2,833 children drop out of school and youth account for 18 percent of all violent crime in the U.S., as well as 33 percent of all serious property crime. Every day 135,000 children carry a gun to school and seven billion dollars are spent annually to incarcerate young offenders while school dropouts cost taxpayers another $71 billion each year.

In a national study generated by the National Endowment for the Arts, three cities (San Antonio, TX, Atlanta GA, and Portland, Or.) have rigorously evaluated their arts programs for at-risk youth and found that these programs decrease involvement in delinquent behavior, increase academic achievement and improve youth’s attitudes about themselves and their future.

National studies also show repeatedly that a regular practice of Yoga and Meditation reduces hypertension, lowers blood pressure, and releases endorphins in the brain that heighten a sense of calmness and produce feelings of well being.

Y.O.G.A. for Youth has created a dynamic environment for addressing many of the social and behavioral problems confronting these youths. We believe Arts and Y.O.G.A. for Youth can have a dynamic impact on the lives of its participants and offer an effective and affordable alternative to detention and police-centered crime prevention.