ABOUT AURA YOGA
MISSION
Aura Yoga CA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to yoga, wellness, and creative empowerment. We inspire individuals to live empowered, creative, and vibrant lives. The physical and emotional benefits of yoga are profoundly healing and life-affirming, fostering resilience, strength, and transformation.
Through movement, advocacy, and storytelling, we bridge the gap between personal healing and systemic change.
ACTIVITIES MISSION
Tragedies in life have the potential to inspire evolution—willpower, strength, resilience, and wisdom are possible outcomes. The objective of an evolved life is actualizing one’s full potential by seeing beyond perceived limitations.
Aura Yoga will host and facilitate:
Yoga and the Healing Mind
Yoga and Inversions (विलोमविधि)
Patanjali’s Eightfold Path Philosophy
Yoga and RISE JUSTICE LABS / California Criminal Justice Reform
Yoga and Women’s Economic Empowerment
Yoga and Advocacy for Survivors of Sexual Assault & Human Trafficking
Yoga and Cultural Enrichment for Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Communities
Yoga and Mental Health Awareness
Yoga and Public Art Enrichment
Postmodern Venus: Storytelling as a Tool for Justice
Postmodernvenus is a literary initiative under AURA YOGA CA—a platform where investigative storytelling, survivor advocacy, and social justice intersect. The novel Postmodern Venus exposes systemic failures in the criminal justice system and amplifies the voices of those fighting for accountability. Through writing, advocacy, and public discourse, we use storytelling as a form of resistance, empowerment, and change.
Aura Yoga plans to partner with national and global organizations such as: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, U.S. Department of Justice: Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, U.S. Department of Justice: Office of Violence Against Women, United Nations Women. Through these collaborations, we aim to increase knowledge and awareness of gender inequality and violence and uphold global norms and standards for justice and human rights.
EXPLORING THE INTERSECTIONS OF A.I. AND COMMUNITY
At Aura Yoga, we are committed to bridging health, wellness, and technology to create stronger, more connected communities. Our team is actively exploring how artificial intelligence can be leveraged to align individuals with the right care, resources, and holistic wellness solutions.
Our goal is to develop an AI-powered wellness app that will:
- Illuminate the many dimensions of health and healing
- Showcase innovative wellness solutions
- Elevate human stories and lived experiences
Beyond technology, Aura Yoga is building for the future. Our next milestone is to secure funding for the Aura Yoga Resort in Sonoma—a sanctuary dedicated to healing, wellness, and community-driven transformation. With a renowned Lead Architect on our Board of Directors, we are laying the foundation for a world-class retreat that integrates wellness, sustainability, and innovation.
A LETTER FROM AURA YOGA'S FOUNDER
Yoga is an ancient practice that cultivates self-realization, confidence, and strength. As the body flows from one asana to the next, energy is renewed, heightening awareness and deepening the mind-body connection.
For 12 months, I sought treatment at the University of California, San Francisco Trauma Recovery Center while pursuing my Master’s degree in Advertising at the Academy of Art University. As a survivor of violent crime, I was supported by the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP).
Through yoga, I began to reconnect my mind, body, and soul—repairing the fractures trauma had left behind. This practice awakened an awareness of my feelings, motivations, and values, helping me reclaim a sense of wholeness. In cultivating this awareness, I found that emotions like love and compassion are not only healing but transformative.
In Spring 2018, I attended the EVAWI Training Conference, where I was deeply inspired by its leadership—especially after my experience with the San Francisco Police Department following my report.
Rape, sexual assault, and violence against women are severe human rights violations, yet they remain widespread across the globe. EVAWI’s mission is clear:
"We envision a world where gender-based violence is unacceptable, where perpetrators are held accountable, and victims receive the compassion, support, and justice they deserve."
Thank you! Whitney Greer Peterson
Zuda Yoga Power Vinyasa Teacher Training Certificate 200-hrs; Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training Certificate 300-hours; International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Teacher Certificate 200-hrs
Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Stanford University; M.F.A., Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA; B.A., University of California, Davis
Info
whitney@aurayogaca.org/