Our Story
Brothers Ali and Atman Smith, along with their colleague Andrés González, first connected during their final semester at the University of Maryland College Park. As avid readers and seekers of knowledge, the trio delved into a diverse range of topics, from spirituality and philosophy to modern and ancient history, politics, astronomy, and religions, among others. It was during one of these discussions that González posed the question that would ultimately change the course of their lives: "So what are we going to do about it?"
While they didn't know the answer at the time, the three men began their yoga practice journey around this same period, under the guidance of Ali and Atman's godfather. This practice was not new to them, however, as they grew up in a household where meditation was a daily routine. As Atman explains, "Our parents were big hippies. They were into yoga, vegetarianism, and all that kind of stuff."
After graduation, the three friends were watching a commercial featuring Matthew Lesko, who was selling a book on how to obtain government grants for various projects. Lesko's message resonated with them as they wanted to make a positive impact on the world. They felt they finally had an answer to their question. They immediately began searching for grants online, recognizing that Ali's degree in Environmental Science made environmental grants an ideal target. The Environmental Protection Agency's request for proposals for a ground-level ozone detection system caught their attention. They thought, "Air pollution was a major problem, so why not do something to help?" They eagerly printed out the grant application but quickly discovered a significant hurdle on page one: the government doesn't award grants to random groups of university graduates. They realized that a non-profit organization was a necessary prerequisite for their aspirations. Despite this initial setback, it marked the beginning of their journey towards founding the Holistic Life Foundation.
At the end of that summer, the trio relocated to West Baltimore and settled into the house where Ali and Atman had grown up. As they reacquainted themselves with the neighborhood, they were struck by the absence of the sense of community and familial spirit that had been so integral to their childhood. They remembered a time when the neighborhood had felt like one big family, and the older members of the community had acted as mentors and big brothers to the younger kids. Recognizing the positive impact this had on their own growth and development, they felt compelled to take action to help restore that feeling of community to their neighborhood.
During this period, the trio dedicated themselves to planning and developing the formation of a non-profit organization, all while delving deeper into their practice and study of yoga. After months of hard work and dedication, on December 19th, 2001, the Holistic Life Foundation was officially incorporated, marking a significant milestone in their journey towards serving their community and making a positive impact in the world.
Follow them on Instagram: @ali_the_yogi @atmansmith @realandresgonzalez
Ali Smith, Atman Smith & Andres Gonzalez’s
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE
In this inspiring book, the founders of the Holistic Life Foundation, Ali Smith, Atman Smith, and Andrés González, share their incredible journey of personal transformation through mindfulness, yoga, and meditation. They offer powerful insights into how these practices can empower historically underserved children and rebuild communities devastated by drugs, poverty, and systemic racism.
For over two decades, the Holistic Life Foundation has been sharing the transformative power of mindfulness, yoga, and wellness practices with public school systems and beyond. Through their work, they have breathed life back into communities and empowered countless children to tap into their own inner strength and resilience.
"Let Your Light Shine" is a powerful reminder that we all have the capacity to reclaim our power, find peace, and heal our hearts, no matter how difficult our circumstances may be. This book offers practical tools and inspiring stories to help readers unlock their own light and transform their lives.
With a foreword by Bessel van der Kolk, MD, author of the New York Times bestselling book "The Body Keeps the Score," this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to make a positive impact in their own life and in the world around them.
