Perinatal Recovery Dharma Group

Beginning in February 2026, Ìyá Pittsburgh Project will begin hosting a Recovery Dharma group every week specifically for pregnant & postpartum gestational parents up to 3 years postpartum.

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The purpose is for pregnant & postpartum gestational parents to receive regular, in-person peer support from other pregnant & postpartum gestational parents who are in recovery from addictive substances and behaviours (sex, work, gambling, codependency, disordered eating, etc.). This group follows the secular, but spiritual, Buddhist-inspired approach of Recovery Dharma, utilising meditation and reflective self-inquiry around The Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path of Buddhist dharma.

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This group will meet every week at Ìyá Pittsburgh's office on the Northside of Pittsburgh in the Allegheny East neighborhood.

• Once a week, every week, on Wednesdays.

• Two hours long, from 12:30 PM until 2:30 PM.

• Registration is required before attending the first time. REGISTER HERE!

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Additional group details:

• For pregnant & postpartum gestational parents up to 3 years postpartum.

• Group meets every week for 2 hours on WEDNESDAYS from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM.

• Participants are encouraged to bring a journal for their inquiries & a cushion/yoga mat, if meditating in a chair is undesirable.

• Due to the nature & structure of this group, the environment is not suitable for babies & children and childcare is presently unavailable.

• Group is open to all genders, sexualities, & ethnicities/races, but will unapologetically centre the lived experiences and safety of BIPOC & LGBTQ+ group members.

• Suggested donation $1-$5 weekly (no one turned away for lack of funds).

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Group Format:

• People can begin filtering in as early as 12:20 PM, visit the restroom, get comfortable, etc.

• At 12:35 PM, like most Recovery Dharma meetings, things begin by opening the meeting; reading “The Practice”, “The Four Nobel Truths”, and “The Eightfold Path”; and then we introduce ourselves with our first names and pronouns.

• Next, we engage in a 15-25 minute guided meditation, preselected from the Insight Timer app.

• Then, we read from the Recovery Dharma book & take time to ponder an Inquiry Question.

  • 10-15 minutes is provided for everyone to journal, draw, and/or think about the inquiry question

• Next, everyone who wishes to share, may take a turn to share with the group

  • keep shares to 3 minutes or less

  • keep the content of shares to the topic of the reading/inquiry, the meditation, or your personal journey

  • do not comment on the share of others or offer advice

• Then, we begin winding down the meeting with any announcements & passing the basket for dāna (donations).

  • dāna is the Buddhist term for the practice of generosity

  • there is a suggested weekly donation between $1-$5

    • donations are used to purchase books & beverages,

    • and as an offering to the hosting nonprofit & its therapist facilitating the group

  • no one is turned away or judged for a lack of funds

  • other ways to practice generosity on behalf of the group:

    • volunteer to read from the book during meetings

    • tell other pregnant & postpartum gestational parents about the group

    • stick around to talk to newcomers

    • stick around to help clean up & reset the room

• Finally, we close out the meeting by reading the “Dedication of Merit”. If there is time leftover, feel free to stay around and chat, then move your chats to the main community room of the building.

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Bonus Resources:

• A FREE Food Distribution & Clothing Pantry are available in the building from 3:00-5:00 PM. Recovery support group participants can sign up & get in line as soon as the group dismisses.

• The Perinatal Recovery Dharma meeting has a WhatsApp group for participants to join to share resources, keep in touch, and get updates & changes about the meeting.