Yoga and Meditation Instructor GrowGood, Inc
- Date Posted September 16, 2020
- Location Bell, CA
- Category Agriculture / Nonprofit
- Job type Part-Time
Funded by major foundations including the Roy & Patricia Disney Family Foundation, The Taper Foundation, REDF, and the Weingart Foundation, as well as many private donors, GrowGood has been recognized as one of L.A.’s most promising and innovative organizations affecting social change.
Our neighbor, partner and landlord, The Bell Shelter, is one of the largest homeless shelters in the United States operating a comprehensive program that offers transitional care and housing for up to 500 homeless men and women. Our farm and 30’ x 48’ greenhouse operate to provide employment opportunities and training for shelter clients experiencing homelessness as well as a revenue stream to support garden-related programming.
GrowGood’s mission is:
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To provide organic fruits and vegetables to the Bell Shelter kitchen which serves upwards of 7,000 meals per week;
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To provide transitional employment and permanent job readiness skills and opportunities to shelter participants;
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To develop a revenue stream to support our endeavors;
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To offer outdoor programming designed to promote “holistic healing” through yoga, meditation, and reconnection to nature.
Job description
We are seeking a yoga and meditation instructor to facilitate classes for our Food For Life (FFL) classes. The classes are designed to promote “holistic healing” by combining soft yoga techniques, mindful meditation practices, and the therapeutic power of nature to support mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. Class sessions may also incorporate breathing and relaxation practices, along with discussions ranging from basic neuroscience, methods and tips for developing a meditation practice, and the power of nature as metaphor for life.
All class participants currently reside at the Salvation Army Bell Shelter, which provides comprehensive programs for adults transitioning out of homelessness. Half of our participants, many of them veterans, come to us through The Salvation Army Bell Shelter Wellness Program, a residential treatment center for addiction and various mental health conditions, including PTSD.
FFL classes are held in our California native sensory garden. Our outdoor “studio” is wheelchair accessible. Weekly class schedule is TBD; we can work with your scheduling needs. During the warm months however, we prefer to hold morning classes between 8-10am.
While all class sessions should focus on gentle yoga, meditation, and connection to nature, how you choose to teach is very much up for collaboration. For example, you may choose to incorporate other therapeutic movement activities, music, guided discussion, etc. Please come with your ideas! Responsibilities:
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Take attendance.
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Facilitate 4 one-hour classes per week for ten participants each class.
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Each class session should include a combination of guided meditation, gentle yoga, and a guided discussion of mindfulness techniques. Discussion topics should incorporate themes of “reconnection with nature” or “lessons from the natural world.”
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Yoga movements must be trauma-informed and accommodating of disabilities. All yoga positions should be sitting or standing, as we do not use yoga mats.
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Create basic lesson plans in collaboration with the Programs Manager and other staff members.
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Assist in developing surveys and metrics to aid in evaluating the efficacy of the program.
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Document observations of class sessions and participants’ progress to help track program’s development.
- Flexibility in approach and willingness to integrate trauma-informed practices as participants often face mental health challenges such as treated or untreated PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and/or physical health challenges such as physical disabilities and other chronic conditions.
- Basic knowledge of neuroscience and neuroplasticity.
- General understanding of mental health and trauma-related challenges.
- Awareness and comfort with diversity factors of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and disability status.
- Basic understanding and ability to convey the value of acknowledging our oneness with the natural world.
- Passion for integrating the natural world into self-care practices.
We are willing to work with the right person to develop the skills necessary. If this is a position you feel passionately about but don’t meet the required skills we encourage you to apply and tell us about yourself and why you think you would still be the best candidate for the job.