3 DAYS OF LEARNING. 30+ SPEAKERS.
JOIN THE LARGEST ONLINE CONFERENCE ON YOGA AND RECOVERY
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This transformative event is much more than a conference — it’s a gathering of compassionate clinicians, empowered survivors, leading researchers, and yoga professionals working toward change.

This year we are going even deeper with the theme: Creating Cultures of Prevention. Addiction and eating disorders are not merely biological illnesses, but also deep-seated social phenomena. While much effort has focused on treatment, we urgently need effective strategies to prevent addiction and eating disorders from taking root in the first place.

Join this seminal event to discover how yoga can make a difference. You’ll come away with insights, practices, and support to make a real impact in your community.

WHY ATTEND?

 

Today one person will die of an overdose every nineteen minutes. Eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of any mental disorder — one person loses their life to the illness every hour.

 

We can and must do more.

FEATURED SPEAKERS


Hear from world-renowned innovators from across many disciplines — including scientists, clinicians, and community leaders
. Whether you attend live or watch the recordings after the event, you’ll come away with actionable insights from some of the brightest minds in their fields.

Dr. Gabor Maté

Physician and Author of The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture

Ashley Judd

Actress, Activist Author, and Profound Speaker,

Ethan Watters

New York Times Journalist and Author of Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the American Psyche

Dr. John Kelly

Professor of Psychiatry in Addiction Medicine at Harvard Medical School

Dr. Jennifer Webb

Associate Professor of Psychology and Health Psychology at UNC Charlotte

Dr. Niva Piran

Clinical Psychologist, Researcher, and Professor Emerita at the University of Toronto

Dr. Erikka Dzirasa

Double Board Certified Psychiatrist and Consulting Associate in the Department of Psychiatry at Duke University

Dr. Nzinga Harrison

Board-certified Physician Specializing in Psychiatry & Addiction Medicine

Dr. Norman Kim

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Columbia University Department of Psychiatry

Octavia Raheem

Award-Winning Author, Rest Coach, Yoga and Meditation Teacher

Vimalasara

Life Coach & Addictions Coach

Nikki Myers

Founder and Director, Yoga of 12-Step Recovery

Chelsea Roff

Founder of Eat Breathe Thrive and Co-Executive Director of Give Back Yoga Foundation

Dr. Rachel Goode

Researcher and Professor at the University of North Carolina

Kady Lafferty

Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Advocate, Founder of Big Body Yoga

Dr. Kimberly Dennis

MD, CEDS, Psychiatrist, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist & Addiction Medicine

Taryn Strong

Founder of SHE RECOVERS Foundation, Recovery Coach, & Yoga Teacher

Durga Leela
Author, Ayurveda Practitioner, Yoga Teacher & Yoga Therapist
Tennie McCarty

Founder, CEO and co-owner of Shades of Hope Treatment Center


James Downs

Writer, Researcher & Psychological Therapist

REGISTER NOW

WHAT TO EXPECT


The symposium will take place virtually September 22-24, from
9am to 1pm EST each day. All sessions will be recorded and available to watch for one year after the event.

Day 1 — A Cultural History of Addiction and Eating Disorders

The first day explores historical, cultural, and psychological forces that have spawned the current epidemic. Hear from leading thinkers who understand the magnitude of the problem from a comprehensive perspective and gain new insights into what individuals and communities need to heal.

SESSION INFORMATION

9:10 am -10:00 am | Shifting the Prevention Paradigm: Shifting the Prevention Paradigm: Yoga as a Path to Personal and Collective Healing

Presented by: Nikki Myers and Chelsea Roff

10:00 am - 10:50 am | Addiction, Trauma, and Healing in a Toxic Culture: An Interview with Nikki Myers and Dr. Gabor Mate

Presented by: Gabor Maté and Nikki Myers

10:50 am - 11:05 | Community Yoga Practice

Practice led by: James Downs

11:15 am - 12:05 pm |Freedom of Movement and Taking Space: Creating Embodied and Empowered Communities

Presented by: Dr. Niva Piran

12:05 pm - 12:55 pm |The Americanization of Mental Illness: How Globalization is Reshaping the Mind in Distress

Presented by: Ethan Watters

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Community Space

Host by: She Recovers Foundation

Day 2 — breaking the cycle and Dismantling Barriers

The second day unearths the forces that continue to entrench addiction and eating disorders in our society today. Keynote presentations shed light on health disparities, shame and stigma, and harm-reduction strategies for those seeking to make positive changes in their communities.

SESSION INFORMATION

9:10 am - 9:20 am | Yoga and Addiction Recovery: A Message of Hope and Healing

Presented by: Ashley Judd

9:20 am -10:10 am | Tackling the Emotional Pain Crisis Behind the Addiction Epidemic

Presented by: Dr. Nzinga Harrison

10:50 am - 11:05 | Community Yoga Practice

Practice led by: Robin Blackwell

10:30 am -11:30 am | Panel Discussion: Overcoming Shame and Stigma Panel

Presented by: Dr. Erikka Dzirasa, Dr. Norman Kim, and Dr. Rachel Goode

11:55 am - 12:55 pm | Panel Discussion: Exploring the Complex Landscape of Addiction and Eating Disorders Treatment – A Critical Look at Bariatric Surgery, Wegovy, Ozempic, and Other Pharmaceuticals

Presented by: Tennie McCarty, Dr. Kimberly Dennis, Dr. Joy and Alli Spotts-De Lazzer

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Community Space

Host by: Accessible Yoga Association

Day 3 — Cultures of Prevention: Creating Healthy Communities

The final day highlights interventions that are successfully being delivered in education, community, and healthcare settings. Hear from those working in the field on best practices, harm-reduction strategies, and how to increase access to yoga for those who stand to benefit most.

SESSION INFORMATION

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM | Community Space

Host by: The Minded Institute

9:10 am - 9:20 am | Mindfulness Practice

Led by: Taryn Strong

9:20 am - 10:10 am | Pathways to Recovery: How 50 Years of Research Transformed Our Understanding of Addiction

Presented by: Dr. John Kelly

10:20 AM - 11:00 AM PARALLEL SESSION |Rest and Wake up to the Power of Who You Are

Presented by: Octavia Raheem

10:20 AM - 11:00 AM PARALLEL SESSION | Yoga of Recovery: How to Harness the Healing Wisdom of Giving and Receiving

Presented by: Durga Leela

10:20 am - 11:00 am Parallel Session | Making Space for Abundance: Yoga for Big Bodies

Presented by: Kady Lafferty

10:20 am - 11:00 am Parallel Session | Eight Step Recovery Using The Buddha's teachings to Overcome Addiction

Presented By: Vimalasara

11:10 am - 12:00 pm | What Research Tells Us About How to Create Truly Inclusive Yoga Spaces

Presented By: Dr. Jennifer Webb

12:00 pm -12:45 pm | Spotlight of Grassroot Community Leaders

Presented By: Akiera Gilbert, Amy Newland, Alyssa Gremban, Jaytaun McMillan

WHO IS THIS EVENT FOR?:

We enthusiastically welcome yoga teachers, healthcare professionals, and people with lived experience. Our attendees include:
  • Yoga Therapists
  • Recovery Coaches
  • Counselors
  • Doctors
  • Dietitians and Nutritionists
  • Students
  • Yoga Teachers
  • Social Workers
  • Psychologists
  • Nurses
  • Family and Carers
  • People in recovery

YOUR TICKET INCLUDES AN ALL-ACCESS PASS TO THE LIVE VIRTUAL EVENT, PLUS ACCESS TO THE RECORDINGS FOR ONE YEAR. YOUR TICKETS DIRECTLY SUPPORT OUR MISSION.

COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION

All paid passes include access to the live event, recordings, and a continuing education certificate. Free passes only include access to the live event.

FREE
ACCESS

$0

40 Passes Available
SOLD OUT

SUPER
EARLY BIRD

$119

Register by July 21
SOLD OUT

EARLY
BIRD

$169

Register by Aug 27
SOLD OUT

GENERAL
ADMISSION

$249

Register by Sept 21
SOLD OUT

If you are having trouble registering or have any questions about the symposium, email info@givebackyoga.org

Can’t afford a ticket? We have scholarships available. Click here

ORGANIZERS

This event is brought to you by four leading nonprofit organizations:

Give back yoga logo
Give Back Yoga Foundation

Give Back Yoga Foundation was founded in 2007, by Beryl Bender and Rob Schware. The mission of the organization is to support yoga teachers and yoga therapists to bring the benefits of yoga to all people, especially those facing mental and physical hardship (e.g. addiction, incarceration, poverty, military service, and eating disorders).

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Eat Breathe Thrive

Eat Breathe Thrive is a nonprofit working to prevent and help people recover from eating disorders. Its programs combine yoga, psychoeducation, and peer support to help people help one another on the path to recovery. Over the past decade, it’s supported more than ten thousand people in forty-two countries on their path to recovery.

y12sr Logo
Yoga of 12-Step Recovery

Y12SR “connects the dots” between the ancient wisdom of yoga, the practical tools of 12-step programs, and the latest research on trauma healing and neurobiology. As part of a holistic recovery program, it works in tandem with traditional treatment to address the physical, mental and spiritual disease of addiction.

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SPONSORS

With gratitude to our event Sponsor:

Interested in becoming a Sponsor? Download this PDF here to learn more.

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

With gratitude to our event’s Supporting Organizations:

Interested in becoming a Supporting Organization? Reach out to Melanie@eatbreathethrive.org

CONTINUING

EDUCATION CREDITS

Attendees will receive a Certificate of Attendance, which can be used to accrue up to 12 continuing education credits with Yoga Alliance and the International Association of Yoga Therapists. You may be able to use this certificate toward your annual CEUs for other healthcare professions.
* We cannot guarantee that all professional bodies will accept the certificate for CEU hours. Please check with your professional association or registration body to confirm.