In May 2022, AHS began sponsoring a culturally relevant healing class designed for trauma survivors in Cantonese. The gentle movement therapy class, taught by Sasanna Yee 余嘉雯, includes chair yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and elements of qigong. The class is facilitated via Zoom and may add in-person activities when it is safe to do so. The class is tailored for AHS patients and community members who have experienced violence, crime, and hate—and open to all community members who are impacted indirectly by these issues.

Sasanna Yee, born and raised in San Francisco, is a bilingual (Cantonese and English) trauma-informed yoga and qigong teacher who is passionate about healing and wholeness on all levels.  Her own journey began over 12 years ago when she was looking to ease chronic pain and mental health challenges. She received formal training from Niroga Yoga Institute (Oakland, CA), Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center (India) and Medical Qigong from Noble Movement Academy (Online/North Carolina). Since 2014, Sasanna has taught mindful movement through the lens of access providing therapeutic support to underserved and underrepresented communities such as at-risk and immigrant populations.  

After a youth fatally attacked her grandmother Yik Oi Huang in 2019, Sasanna became a staunch advocate for community healing and joy.  She has led large events such as “Healing through Solidarity and Song”, “Move the Chi for Racial Solidarity”, “Movement for Asian Joy” and spoken at multiple venues including AHS, KPFA, CNN and ABC.  By giving people the tools to connect deeper with themselves and each other, Sasanna firmly believes we can feel happier and safer one breath at a time. The ripples are infinite.