Be the person who breaks the cycle.
If you were judged, choose understanding.
If you were rejected, choose acceptance.
If you were shamed choose compassion.
Be the person you needed when you were hurting,
not the person who hurt you.
Heal instead of becoming bitter,
so you can act from your heart
and not your pain.
— Lori Deschene
Woosaa Wellness is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with incarcerated, court-involved, and at-risk youth and young adults age 14-24 in detention, re-entry and in-community in New York City.
We teach individuals how to develop a daily practice of meditation, mindful movement and reflection, emphasizing both mind and body wellness, and weave our training into the game of basketball. Our signature method – The Woo Way – is a fusion of traditional yoga, breath work, internal martial arts, and sound meditation that reduces stress, improves physical and mental health, and empowers people to connect positively with themselves and their communities.
In and outside of detention, Woosaa hosts leadership, job-readiness, and certification programs, preparing youth to participate in their communities and workplaces with integrity, authenticity, and pride.
40 Woo-Way Yoga & Basketball
programs weekly in
secure detention
60 young adults in
Woo Way Re-entry & Job Readiness programming annually
1,250 youth and young adults
in-detention in Woo Way
programming annually
250 youth in free weekly
Woo Way, Martial Arts, Basketball
& Leadership programming
Where we serve
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Riker’s Island — Queens, NY
Yoga & Basketball Programming since 2018
Sound Meditations since 2021
Mixed Gangs Competitive Basketball League since 2023
Crossroads Juvenile Center — Brooklyn, NY
Yoga & Basketball Programming since 2018
Yoga Training Certification Summer 2024
Referee Training Program at Crossroads Summer 2025
Dance Programming Summer 2025
Horizons Juvenile Center — The Bronx, NY
Yoga & Basketball Programming since 2022
Dance Programming Summer 2025
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Woosaa’s 90-Day Strategic Action Plan gives recently released youth a clear roadmap for their first months after release, supported by a dedicated Woosaa Mentor. It includes:
A Manual of daily wellness practices: journaling, meditation, mindful movement, and readings supportive to a positive attitude, growth mindset, nervous system regulation, self-exploration and self-reflection.
Health and nutrition guidance: transforming eating habits and access to nutritious foods to support physical and mental well-being.
Workforce and Leadership Training: training in accountability, communication, and responsibility.
An 8-week paid internship with Woosaa Wellness Community programming to apply skills and explore passions.
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PRESENT
DYCD Basketball and Leadership Training at Bronxworks (Mon/Wed)
Qi Gong & Woo Way Practice with Mark Li at Bronx Legends Boxing Gym (Mon)
Referee Training Programming at Bronxworks (Wed)
PAST
AAU Competitive Basketball with the PSA Cardinals 2020-2024
Sundown Safehaven Summer Basketball Camp Summer 2021
Teen Leadership Trainings with XTL (Extreme Teen Leadership) since Summer 2022
Player Development League Winter/Spring in LES 2022-2024
Saturday Night Lights at Bronxworks Spring 2024
Check our Calendar for
Free Weekly Programs
THE WOO WAY
the method behind the movement
Developed on Riker’s Island and at Crossroads and Horizons Juvenile Centers over 8 years, The Woo Way is a way of orienting one’s body, breath, thoughts, and actions that results in increased emotional intelligence, inner peace, efficiency, and stamina.
The Woo Way seamlessly integrates into basketball training to help youth enhance athletic performance, concentration, confidence, creativity, physical and psychological flexibility, coachability, and peer-to-peer collaboration.
