project sunrise

our philosophy

“When we help, we become aware of our own strength. But when we serve, we don’t serve with our strength; we serve with ourselves, and we draw from all of our experiences. Our limitations serve; our wounds serve; even our darkness can serve. My pain is the source of my compassion; my woundedness is the key to my empathy.”

Dr. Rachel Naomi Yemen

our movement

Through weekly sunrise yoga classes with the global security community, we have learned to transform pain into healing—for ourselves and others. Since that day on September 11, 2001, many of us have experienced personal loss and felt a deep desire to find healing from that pain. Over the years, as global conflicts have expanded across the Middle East, Europe, and beyond, the need for strength through service has only grown stronger. Thanks to our community and Project Sunrise, we’ve moved closer to finding inner peace through the power of human connection.

From mid-May to September 11th 2024, meeting at the Jefferson Memorial reminded us to embrace these acts of service through yoga. These donation-based classes offered an accessible space to cultivate this service-driven approach.

We are excited to announce that these classes will resume in 2025, from late spring to early autumn, at memorials to be announced!

All we ask is that you bring your spirit of service. If you are able, a donation is recommended to support our cause, with all proceeds going to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations dedicated to healing the world through human connection—Operation Heal Our Heroes and the Command Purpose Foundation. In return, we provide a set of Sound Off headphones for an immersive "silent disco" experience, a mat, and guidance from one of our incredible instructors.

our partners

This project would not be possible without the support of our incredible partners. Between materials, instructors, and general support, our dream was brought to life thanks to you.

  • Jennifer provided yoga instruction in kind to Project Sunrise. Check our her offerings for more information on how to engage with her in the DC area.

  • Thank you to Give Back Yoga Foundation for providing mats in kind courtesy of Lululemon.

  • Sound Off provided through a partnership the immersive experience of "silent disco" headphones, allowing us to respect the sacred nature of the Jefferson Memorial while embracing the instructor's guidance and accompanying music.

  • You Are the Buddha Yoga Academy in Breda, Netherlands brought Project Sunrise globally! During the same time period, every Wednesday sunrise they provided classes to those who serve their community as well.

our schedule

While our 2024 chapter has closed, we anticipate the following sunrise and sunset classes in 2025, starting in late May.