Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons^™

Community As Medicine: A Trauma-Informed Yoga Program For Multi-Cultural Female Immigrants Identified In The Primary Care Setting, Katherine Rizzolo, Sean Lena, Maha Jaber, Jessica Schaumburg, Kiana Vakil-Gilani, Nicole Rebusi, Dianna Stade, Adriana Nadeau, Nicoleta Toma, Brian King, Lesley Gordon

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: The immigrant population in Maine represents a unique group of patients with complicated health care needs due to cultural, linguistic, and systemic barriers. We sought to bridge gaps in health access for immigrant women by expanding and integrating community resources through the development and evaluation of a trauma-informed yoga class.

Methods: A needs assessment via a focus group with immigrant women revealed barriers to care and community health needs. Health partners of the immigrant community were identified via word of mouth and a Google search. Yoga participants were recruited in the primary care clinic and by community outreach. Participants …