Yoga Jail Prison Behind Bars Testimonials

I was first introduced to Kundalini Yoga/Meditation upon entering into a recovery program, and it has changed some many things about my way of thinking and approaching things that come up in life. The breathing and meditation exercises have become just as indispensable as the three spiritual principles in my program. Bill Smith

I found that meditation is important to my recovery. When I go to yoga my body feels like I have energy for the day. I feel good, my mind gets clearer and my body feels peace. Jesse Q

Yoga has taught me special skills that to me are a valuable tool in my life. Healthy activities lead to healthy decisions. Every time I participate I find myself in a new world, a healthy worlds. Arthur S

My body feels stronger, my mind is relaxed and I find myself making wiser decisions. John G

I have noticed many changes in myself. I stand straighter. It feels good to sit straight for once. I also notice my breathing. I try to count my breaths on a daily basis. I have a hard time sleeping. At night I count my breath to help me fall asleep faster. Nay J

Teaching Yoga to Seattle-King County Jail Inmates
by Elizabeth C.

When Gary Fernandes approached the Seattle-King County Jail administration with the offer of starting an inmate yoga program he was blessed with excellent timing. The well documented success of the 4 year old Vipassana Meditation program at the now defunct, Northern Rehabilitation Facility (NRF) had opened the door.

     Meditation is now, thanks to research of Alan Marlatt’s UW Addictive Behaviors Research Clinic study, known to have a marked effect on reducing inmate recidivism by helping substance abusers learn to self regulate. The number of discipline problems have been seen to decline as the meditators learn accountability and discover inner resources to come to terms with their true identities.

     My primary goals as a weekly volunteer yoga instructor to female inmates at the King County Jail are to raise consciousness, assist inmates to find the inner teacher and to show them a way out of their pain. And as I rarely have the luxury of working with a student more than once (the average stay is 2 weeks) I feel fortunate to have been trained a style yoga which can achieve results fast. It is imperative that I win their confidence and make the material relevant to them very quickly.

     When my students enter the room they are distracted, fragmented, sleep deprived, tense, bored, noisy and usually very distrustful of strangers like me. Rarely do they have any real idea of what we’re about to do. I doubt that any of them expect to launch into an inner journey.

     Kundalini Yoga classes as taught by Yogi Bhajan must open with a protective mantra. They regard Sanskrit and Gurmuki with great suspicion. “Is this about God?” one of my students asked doubtfully, obviously fearing the worst. “Its about reaching your own higher teacher”, I answer.

     Together we create a sacred space and enter a state of meditation via the breath (pranayam). We then use rhythmic sound currents (mantra) to recalibrate our vibratory signatures and hand positions (mudras) to stimulate brain centers which bring deep calm. We often begin our sessions by chanting the simple mantra “Ong” (God as creator) to make contact with our inner creative force. As the sinus cavities begin to open and the sound vibration takes effect the energy shift is palpable. After that they're usually willing to try another exotic activity.

     My average female inmate student is in poor physical condition (which she’s ashamed of) with scar tissue from old untreated injuries. She is as unaccustomed to regular exercise as she is to regular medical treatment. She’s emotionally needy with poor self esteem.

     The jail is full of distracting and disturbing sounds; doors clanging and thunking shut, the PA system crackling and loudly announcing fearsome medical emergencies, etc. I cannot control the room temperature which is often unbearably cold. Inmates are not permitted sweaters so I bring them thrift store airline blankets. Learning to focus here in this environment is challenging. Music is a great help.

     We bring our focus inside; noticing what information the 5 senses bring to us. I work to get them to honor their bodies by beginning with deep breathing and static stretching exercise

s from whatever flexibility they HAVE -- as opposed to what they think they should have. There is usually a minor skirmish over this point. (“I can’t do it).

     My classes include sets of exercises and meditations that deal with such issues as release of anger, detoxification, raising self-esteem, PMS, alleviating fear and depression, conquering obsessions, improving digestion and sleep. We always do a deep guided relaxation and end with a song to shape and acknowledge the peace we’ve found within.

     I can see that what I do makes a difference in their lives every time I teach a class. For an hour or so I get to heap unconditional love on them. Although they are not always conscious of it I can see that they are affected by it. I see tension fade from faces, slumped shoulders opening up and an easier swing of arms and legs. By the time class ends there is an entirely different feeling about the room.

     I’ve been told: “You really helped me today -- I was so depressed. The judge just gave me 35 more days. And; “I couldn’t have made it through this without your classes.”

     Of course the credit for the transformation is theirs. I just create an environment and teach technique. I take them to the door but they must make the decision to cross the threshold. The path beyond into unknown territory is difficult for all of us and I admire the courage of all who walk it.

     One student began class by saying she didn’t really believe that yoga was worth her while and exclaimed at the end of class; “We should do this every day!” True. For lasting results regular practice is needed.

     Real progress toward positive personal effectiveness can and will be made when inmates are afforded an opportunity to master yoga and meditation. Prison and jail administrators must provide the time and space. More volunteers are needed.

     We must all work to raise the consciousness of those who believe that people who run amok with the law are a sub-species, separate from us, who can never change. Do we have a right to continue to deny their humanity? Many inmates across the world have made giant spiritual steps when offered opportunity and support in mastering yoga and meditation.

Sources:
Vipassana: Article by Vanessa Ho, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 8/11/01.
Film: Doing Time, Doing Vipassana.
Inmate transformations: The Human Kindness Foundation. PO Box 61619,           Durham, NC 27715. Phone: 919-304-2220. Fax: 919-304-3220.
Kundalini Yoga: www.3ho.org
Email: Elizabeth
Elizabeth C. has studied with Yogi Bhajan and in addition to volunteering at the King County Jail she teaches Kundalini Yoga classes at Crown Hill Kundalini in North Seattle and at North Seattle Community College ( www.learnatnorth.org ).

Is there a difference in teaching inmates then regular students? Human beings all seem to work the same. The experience teaching within correctional facilities is very rewarding, to witness inmates demand that their life change direction is remarkable. They are the souls that get themselves to the class, listen and do the exercises however new, strange, and difficult, then bombard and surround us with questions and requests for more materials and more classes!

Is there a difference in teaching in a correctional facility versus a yoga studio? A yoga studio will probably not run out of blankets or cushions to make the room warmer or floor softer. Sure their is more noise and distractions going on in a facility. During the class their may be an annoying crackling announcement over the PA audio system "Code 11 fifth floor, Code 11 fifth floor!" That may be a code that their is a fight going on. The distractions are just opportunities to include within the class perhaps as reminders, "We are all after the same things, love and happiness, what Code is that?"

Is there a difference in teaching youths in detention versus adult inmates? When your dealing with kids your dealing with kid issues -attention span, looking cool. Patience 'with yourself' is a jewel. One thing becomes clear and present when teaching youth, that is that the youth will mirror you, your day, your inner being. If you have the character to teach youth in detention your a great teacher! Hats off too all teachers of youth, education or yoga.

Suddenly there was two detention staff running in a hurry with an oxygen tank...An interesting night on the yoga frontlines: One night at a youth detention center I was surprised to find myself teaching the girls yoga class. The girls hadn't received any yoga classes previously, only the boys, because at this facility it was a rule that only female teachers can teach girls and at that time we only had male yoga teachers available. So this was a surprise because I am a man. The girls were a blast! They participated very well, equal or better than the boys. During class I made several mistakes with the girls; in setup of a stretch on the floor I said "spread the legs wide apart..." giggles could be heard. I learned very quickly to say "spread the FEET wide apart".

I then had another surprise that evening. The staff asked me if I would do some one-on-one yoga with a young man that night. So after the girls class I did a little work with the young man. The staff mentioned that he could not get along with anyone, was out of control, and reacting to everyone. He was in quarantine. He mentioned to me that he was stressed out. I then did a little work with the youth for about 15+ minutes. I checked in with him in the middle of our work and he said he was beginning to feel better. A few minutes passed and suddenly there was two detention staff running in a hurry with an oxygen tank. Class with this young man ended abruptly as all staff ran to assist in what was going on somewhere down the hall. It ended up that another boy was knocked out in a fight down the hall.

At times this is the frontlines of making a difference with these kids! Some of our work is emergency response work, and some of our work will produce long lasting results! After every class, boys or girls, they always ask "where can I do more of this yoga?". As one student said in a survey "I feel much better. Never done this before. It gives me hope to feel better about myself & future without using Cigs, Alcohol or drugs."

One more thing; at a detention center you are surrounded by a group of committed people that want to make a difference with the kids. They want to see those kids change direction and to know their true greatness. How I know that? The night that I taught the girls, it went against the rule. The staff supervisors, located far and away from the youth, made it a rule that no male teacher could teach girls. The supervisors are out to protect the girls because they care. Yet I still was able to teach the class! Down on the floor where the real work is happening the floor staff deliberately set it up that I would teach the girls, going against the rule. Later I received an email notice reminding us of the rule. I could not help but laugh and enjoy it all. The floor staff deeply desired the girls to have a yoga class and they made it happen! The staff at all levels are very caring for the youth and you!