In 2006, Lisa Wells began teaching yoga to students at Linus Pauling Middle School whose behavior had caused their ouster from regular classes.

Wells discovered that yoga could help the students to help themselves.

“I taught them self-calming techniques they could use in the classroom when they didn’t know how to contain their behavior,” Wells said.

That class was the first step in the creation of Reach Out Yoga, a local nonprofit organization that offers yoga training to at-risk people who use the techniques to bring calm to their lives via an ancient discipline.

“One of the most profound benefits of yoga is that it helps the body learn how to deal with stress,” Wells said. Those who benefit from Reach Out Yoga are coping not only with personal problems but domestic crises, addiction, recovery and a myriad of other stressful situations.

Fellow yoga instructors Liz Riley and Matthew Hartman began participating in volunteer yoga activities aimed at at-risk populations, from Jackson Street Youth Shelter to Milestones, an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment center.

The organization, which now also serves Old Mill Center, the Children’s Farm Home and College Hill High School, has a dozen volunteers, and it is growing. It has just received nonprofit status with the state of Oregon. But to qualify for federal 501C3 non-profit status, which allows donations to be tax deductible, Reach Out must raise the money to file a 501C3 application.

Wells said the organization also needs to raise money to create and maintain a Reach Out Yoga Web site, pay for administrative costs, buy yoga equipment and rent space for community classes.

Volunteers will hold a fundraiser from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at the Odd Fellowship Hall, 223 S.W. Second St.

“We’re hoping to raise between $4,000 and $5,000,” Wells said.

The evening begins with an all-levels Hatha Yoga class led by Matthew Hartman, accompanied by live music provided by Sid Rosen, Dave Chiller and George Beekman.

It continues with dancing and three live DJs playing music from world groove to trance and house. There also will be a silent auction, including trips to the coast, yoga equipment and art. The evening is also a celebration of Wells’ 50th birthday.

Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door, and are available at Cedar and Fir Studio, 3204 N.W. Grant Ave., or at First Alternative Co-op, Grass Roots Books & Music and Bikram’s Yoga.

To learn more about Reach Out Yoga, see www.cedarandfir.com or call 231-3934.