Community as Medicine: Jeffrey Thomas on Building The Mandela Yoga Project

In the very first episode of Founding Your Way, Maggie sits down with Jeffrey Thomas, founder of The Mandela Yoga Project, to explore the deeply personal story behind the organization and its mission to make healing practices accessible to all.Inspired by the life of Jeffrey’s sister, Sonya, The Mandela Yoga Project was created with a powerful mission: to empower communities impacted by the public health crisis of racism through the proven health and emotional wellbeing benefits of yoga.The conversation covers systemic barriers in healthcare, the commercialization of yoga in the West, and Mandela Yoga's work partnering with federally qualified health centers to bring free, accessible yoga into underserved communities. Jeffrey also shares the realities of building a nonprofit, navigating funding, and working toward long-term systemic change.Learn more: mandelayogaproject.orgFollow Mandela Yoga on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/mandela-yoga-project-inc/posts/?feedView=allFollow Mandela Yoga on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MandelaYogaProjectConnect with the hosts, Maggie & Lucy https://www.pearlandlight.co/https://www.linkedin.com/company/pearl-light-co/abouthttps://www.podpage.com/founding-your-way/