I find this link about the Prison yoga project extremely interesting. It is a clear expression of the transformational power of yoga. The testimonials say it all; one can’t help be moved by them.
When one takes a step back, the difference between a person in prison, and a monk or nun who lives in closed quarters run in parallel. The circumstances of the limitations of their lives are very similar: both live in an institution, have very little contact with the outside world, few possessions, an enforced routine, a uniform etc. The spiritual recluse chooses to embrace these limitations so as not to be distracted by the creature comforts of the material world whereas the prisoner has them forced upon them. If one takes that paradigm shift in consciousness which yoga can bring then one can see that real freedom is within; prison gives them the space to find this and the space to heal and find inner peace and well-being.
So many of us who are have our freedom, live in a prison which we construct in our own minds; the paradox is, many of us feel bound by the responsibilities and limitations of our everyday life, most of which we chose, feeling we don’t have the time to devote to spiritual pursuits, whilst others can taste that feeling of true inner freedom, whilst incarcerated…
Why We Teach Yoga And Mindfulness In Prison
“The memory of trauma is imprinted on the human organism. I don’t think you can overcome it unless you learn to have a friendly relationship with your body.” Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, and pioneer researcher in the field of trauma.
By James Fox M.A. Founder and Director
Prison Yoga Project
Most prisoners suffer from Complex Trauma, chronic interpersonal trauma experienced early in life such as abandonment, hunger, homelessness, domestic violence, sexual abuse, bullying, discrimination, drug and alcohol abuse, and witnessing crime – including murder. We call this “original pain.” These experiences, imprinted by the terrifying emotions that accompany them, are held deeply in the mind, and perhaps more importantly, in the body, with the dissociative effects of impulsive/reactive behavior, and tendencies toward drug and alcohol addiction as well as violence. Carrying unresolved trauma into their lives impacts everything they do, often landing them in prison, where they experience even more trauma.
Traditionally, cognitive behavioral therapists have helped people process unresolved trauma, but more recently psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers — many working with US military veterans — acknowledge that embodiment practices such as yoga enriched with mindfulness practices
Yoga as a mindfulness practice is our tool for reengaging prisoners with their bodies to restore the connection between mind, heart and body. We use a trauma-informed practice to develop the whole person, increase sensitivity toward oneself and empathy for others. By putting the men (and women) back in touch with their bodies, they begin to care more about themselves and understand the harm they have caused themselves.
The highest level of emotional intelligence or emotional literacy is sensate, getting past your mind and relying on your senses to tell you what’s going on in your body. Another way to put it is, using your body to teach your mind. We consistently teach a practice to provide prisoners with a skill to become more sensitive to
Our objective is to provide prisoners with a mindfulness tool to draw on their yoga practice when they’re not doing yoga. If they’re tangled in a confrontation on the yard, or upon release, or tempted to go back to using, they can draw on what they have learned from yoga for practical solutions. They can do it without actually having to do a yoga pose to get the value. That’s the transformational, rehabilitative value of yoga.
“I feel much more stable emotionally with regular yoga practice. It seems I’m much more able to brush things off and my psychological (sic) state is more stable. I have learned an element of self control as I hold a difficult pose and use mind over matter. I’m able to practice this in all phases of my life.” Prison Yoga Project student, San Quentin Prison.
source http://prisonyoga.com/why/