About TLC Yoga
TLC Yoga began in 2020 as a small yoga class for unhoused individuals led by Ashley Erwin at Mercy Church in Atlanta.
Ashley kept showing up, developing relationships and offering the service. Over time, students started trickling in, and the class evolved into a more specialized and unique offering focused on care and connection. Ashley started the nonprofit in order to offer these types of yoga classes to different communities of individuals experiencing homelessness and those transitioning out of homelessness. In fall of 2023 she expanded to two new communities in Southeast Atlanta!
“We usually end class with legs up the chair and lavender scented eye pillows over their eyes. I let this linger as long as I can because it might be the safest place for them to let go and get real rest.”
Care Is Our Core
Yoga Class
Each class is a combination of chair yoga and mat yoga. We practice simple meditation and breathing techniques for mental clarity, thoughtful movement and alignment based asana to relieve bodily tension, and restorative yoga to aid in deep relaxation.
Compassionate Care
Whether giving out homemade herbal tea and dark chocolate, guiding someone into their most comfortable position, or supportively listening to a student vent about a hard night — a lot of tender loving care happens during our time together.
A Safe, Special Space
Sometimes we tend to students who are sleeping outside in 30 degree weather. Active participation may not be right for them. We serve them hot tea, help them into a restful position, prop their bodies, cover them with towels to be warm, place an eye pillow over their eyes, and make sure they feel comfortable and safe to sleep. They may rest while others participate in movement.
This type of special treatment is what makes TLC Yoga unique. It’s not a traditional yoga class. It’s similar to palliative care. We improve our students’ quality of life in a kind and caring way, whether they are participating in movement or resting.
Other Services
In addition to our weekly class, we offer a monthly sound bath led by local sound healers Corrie & Leah from Seed to Star Collective. We bring tea and snacks, and on Thursdays we provide lunch after class. We plan to offer chair massage and other wellness services in the future.
