Help Us Make Way in Downtown LA
Donation protected
I'm Denise, an animal lover, surfer, massage therapist, yoga instructor and yoga studio owner. I have just "come out" about my life with the Mental Illness (Borderline Personality Disorder), addiction & recovery. My story has recently been published by Elephant Journal.
Here is an excerpt from my story:
Take a moment to observe. What if I said I was born with Autism? You may feel acceptance and a bit of sympathy. But what if I say had a mental illness? You may feel yourself separating and judging me as bat shit crazy.
Now, how about this: What if I told you I live with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and am a recovering addict, co-dependent, love addict, and survivor of domestic abuse and sexual trauma? This is my story about recovery from BPD, addiction and how yoga helped free me from my chains (Full Blog)
Why am I crowdfunding?
On Dec 16, 2013 I was faced with trauma from a surfing accident that split my chin open needing 29 stitches. Not only was my face ripped open, but I was ripped open. Since then, many challenges have come up mentally, physically and emotionally and I made the choice to honor my struggles, seeking help from various forms of healing. I've come to realize if I experienced trauma and healing, others have too. My vision is to expand my Yoga studio, The Yoga Place into an Urban Wellness Center in Downtown LA that will be created with our community. We will offer Yoga classes specifically designed for Addiction, Trauma and Recovery in conjunction with other healing practices. It is the first of it's kind in Downtown Los Angeles. tYp is in the process of converting to a 501-(c)(3) organization!
We have ALL gone through trauma and had to work through recovery...such as an injury, a break up, a traumatic experience etc. And We have ALL tried to "keep it together" even if it means pretending we are OK and saying we'll "just get over it". Yeah, I've learned it doesn't work that way. So I've decided to create a space for people to recover for real, doesn't matter how big or small the recovery is... because We AREN'T ok ALL the time. Sometimes we need other resources to heal, but don't know where to go. There's no better time to pay it forward, giving light for someone else's future because, let's face it, that someone else could be you.
As much as possible our vision is to create a hand made studio. Art, furniture, curtains, pillows and even the bathroom tiles will all be painted and crafted by our community.
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, June 14th
Uniting Mind, Body and City Fundraiser
6:00-9:00p
LOCATION: Private estate in Downey, CA (address provided upon ticket purchase)
Let's come together and celebrate!
Appetizers and Drinks
Live Entertainment
Raffle and Silent Auction:
featuring artwork by famous artist Shepard Fairey
Local LA artists, Spas, Restaurants, Hotels and more
$60 Per Ticket
$100 for 2 Tickets
Buy Tickets
In the build out of our new space we need funding for:
Lawyer and costs to convert to a Non-Profit 501(c)(3)
Leasing a new space
Building out 2 yoga/wellness rooms
Wood floors - Birch or cherry wood
Lighting - track lights
Ceiling fans
Yoga props & mats
Cubbies
HVAC
Plumbing fixtures - sink and eco friendly toilet
Paint & building supplies
Sound equipment
Purified water system (no more plastic water bottles)
Hired help
Art supplies for various community art projects that will go in the studio
Fabric to make curtains, meditation pillows etc.
Here are some of the additional practices we will bring to the DTLA community:
Yoga for Addiction, Recovery & Trauma (Donation program)
Massage Therapy
Energy/Body Work
Yoga Therapy
Soundbaths
Breathwork
Prenatal Yoga
Mommy and Me/Family Yoga
Women's & Men's Circles Meditation
Kirtan (Call and response Yogic chanting)
What is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
By definition Borderline Personality Disorder is a disorder where individuals have extreme difficulties regulating their emotions. Problems include intense anger, chaotic relationships, impulsivity, unstable sense of self, suicide attempts, self-harm, shame, fears of abandonment, and chronic feelings of emptiness.
I have recently taken Y12SR (Yoga 12 Step for Recovery) leadership training with creator, Nikki Myers, also a former addict. Y12SR is already growing in other parts of the US and I'm the first to bring this donation program to LA, which is exciting and freakin scary at the same time. There is a great need for something like this!
How?
I'm reaching out to everyone to help spread the word because I've NEVER felt this level of passion where I'm willing to put every last penny I've got into it. I'm fundraising for $60,000 with a goal of June 15th to make this vision happen and hope to open the new center around August/September.
5% of our annual revenue will go back into the research, training and treatment through the National Education Alliance Borderline Personality Disorder(NEA.BPD)
tYp Staff
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Anything you, can contribute is most appreciated and will help us make our vision come alive. If you have any q's, comments, suggestions or anything at all, please feel free to reach out. After all, we are just like you...human, flawed and living for each day.
With gratitude,
~denise
Here is an excerpt from my story:
Take a moment to observe. What if I said I was born with Autism? You may feel acceptance and a bit of sympathy. But what if I say had a mental illness? You may feel yourself separating and judging me as bat shit crazy.
Now, how about this: What if I told you I live with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and am a recovering addict, co-dependent, love addict, and survivor of domestic abuse and sexual trauma? This is my story about recovery from BPD, addiction and how yoga helped free me from my chains (Full Blog)
Why am I crowdfunding?
On Dec 16, 2013 I was faced with trauma from a surfing accident that split my chin open needing 29 stitches. Not only was my face ripped open, but I was ripped open. Since then, many challenges have come up mentally, physically and emotionally and I made the choice to honor my struggles, seeking help from various forms of healing. I've come to realize if I experienced trauma and healing, others have too. My vision is to expand my Yoga studio, The Yoga Place into an Urban Wellness Center in Downtown LA that will be created with our community. We will offer Yoga classes specifically designed for Addiction, Trauma and Recovery in conjunction with other healing practices. It is the first of it's kind in Downtown Los Angeles. tYp is in the process of converting to a 501-(c)(3) organization!
We have ALL gone through trauma and had to work through recovery...such as an injury, a break up, a traumatic experience etc. And We have ALL tried to "keep it together" even if it means pretending we are OK and saying we'll "just get over it". Yeah, I've learned it doesn't work that way. So I've decided to create a space for people to recover for real, doesn't matter how big or small the recovery is... because We AREN'T ok ALL the time. Sometimes we need other resources to heal, but don't know where to go. There's no better time to pay it forward, giving light for someone else's future because, let's face it, that someone else could be you.
As much as possible our vision is to create a hand made studio. Art, furniture, curtains, pillows and even the bathroom tiles will all be painted and crafted by our community.
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, June 14th
Uniting Mind, Body and City Fundraiser
6:00-9:00p
LOCATION: Private estate in Downey, CA (address provided upon ticket purchase)
Let's come together and celebrate!
Appetizers and Drinks
Live Entertainment
Raffle and Silent Auction:
featuring artwork by famous artist Shepard Fairey
Local LA artists, Spas, Restaurants, Hotels and more
$60 Per Ticket
$100 for 2 Tickets
Buy Tickets
In the build out of our new space we need funding for:
Lawyer and costs to convert to a Non-Profit 501(c)(3)
Leasing a new space
Building out 2 yoga/wellness rooms
Wood floors - Birch or cherry wood
Lighting - track lights
Ceiling fans
Yoga props & mats
Cubbies
HVAC
Plumbing fixtures - sink and eco friendly toilet
Paint & building supplies
Sound equipment
Purified water system (no more plastic water bottles)
Hired help
Art supplies for various community art projects that will go in the studio
Fabric to make curtains, meditation pillows etc.
Here are some of the additional practices we will bring to the DTLA community:
Yoga for Addiction, Recovery & Trauma (Donation program)
Massage Therapy
Energy/Body Work
Yoga Therapy
Soundbaths
Breathwork
Prenatal Yoga
Mommy and Me/Family Yoga
Women's & Men's Circles Meditation
Kirtan (Call and response Yogic chanting)
What is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
By definition Borderline Personality Disorder is a disorder where individuals have extreme difficulties regulating their emotions. Problems include intense anger, chaotic relationships, impulsivity, unstable sense of self, suicide attempts, self-harm, shame, fears of abandonment, and chronic feelings of emptiness.
I have recently taken Y12SR (Yoga 12 Step for Recovery) leadership training with creator, Nikki Myers, also a former addict. Y12SR is already growing in other parts of the US and I'm the first to bring this donation program to LA, which is exciting and freakin scary at the same time. There is a great need for something like this!
How?
I'm reaching out to everyone to help spread the word because I've NEVER felt this level of passion where I'm willing to put every last penny I've got into it. I'm fundraising for $60,000 with a goal of June 15th to make this vision happen and hope to open the new center around August/September.
5% of our annual revenue will go back into the research, training and treatment through the National Education Alliance Borderline Personality Disorder(NEA.BPD)
tYp Staff
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Anything you, can contribute is most appreciated and will help us make our vision come alive. If you have any q's, comments, suggestions or anything at all, please feel free to reach out. After all, we are just like you...human, flawed and living for each day.
With gratitude,
~denise
Organizer
Denise Waling
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
