Building Healthy Communities

March 11, 2010

How do we build communities that are vibrant and thriving with ubiquitous health and well-being?

Niroga is part of two cross-sector initiatives at the city and county level, in Oakland (East Oakland Building Healthy Communities) and Alameda County (Building Blocks Collaborative) exploring the answers to this question.

We know that we need to build community capacity to optimize health, wealth and education for everyone in any given neighborhood, as well as create the physical and economic environment that is conducive for social transformation.

Personal transformation is being perceived as a necessary condition for system change, with healthy behaviors and healthy lifestyle choices as a necessary catalyst. The confluence of the latest research in developmental neuroscience and social science shows that time-tested transformative practices such as yoga and meditation help manage chronic stress, build resilience and enhance self-regulation, affecting everything we do!

As more people in a community is empowered by these technologies, the foundation for lasting social change emerges, influencing policy and ensuring sustainability and scalability.