How Yoga Behind Bars Is Reshaping These Prisoners' Lives | NowThis

Summary

The video showcases Yoga Behind Bars, a Seattle-based organization bringing yoga and mindfulness to prisons as a form of rehabilitation. Volunteer teachers travel long distances to help inmates find physical and mental balance through yoga. The program includes men, women, and juveniles, many with traumatic pasts. Inmates share how yoga helps reduce stress and offers a sense of freedom despite their confinement. Some even become yoga instructors themselves. The initiative highlights the transformative power of yoga, promoting humanity, healing, and self-worth for those behind bars.

Takeaways

• 🧘 Yoga Behind Bars is a Seattle-based organization using yoga and mindfulness for rehabilitation in prisons.
• 🚗 Volunteer yoga teachers travel long distances, up to 4-5 hours, to remote prisons like Clallam Bay Correctional Center.
• 🏋️ Inmates join yoga for physical benefits, such as targeting muscle fibers that weightlifting doesn’t work on.
• 💪 Yoga helps inmates with physical injuries, like gunshot wounds or chronic pain, by providing therapeutic movement.
• 🤝 The program encourages inmates to interact with individuals they wouldn't normally meet, promoting social harmony.
• 👨‍🏫 Inmates like David and Greg have become integral to the yoga program, with Greg even teaching yoga to other prisoners.
• 🧠 Yoga significantly improves mental health for prisoners, reducing tension and providing mental clarity.
• 🧑‍💻 Former inmates, like Joshua, credit yoga with helping them control their destructive behaviors during incarceration.
• 🌧️ Practicing yoga in confined spaces allows prisoners to mentally 'escape' from the harsh realities of prison life.
• 💖 The program emphasizes the humanity and worth of incarcerated individuals, promoting rehabilitation over punishment.

Q & A

What is 'Yoga Behind Bars'?

'Yoga Behind Bars' is an organization that provides yoga and mindfulness classes to incarcerated individuals as a form of rehabilitation. They operate in prisons, jails, and youth detention centers across Washington state.

Who founded and leads 'Yoga Behind Bars'?

Rosa Vissers is the executive director of 'Yoga Behind Bars.' She leads a team of volunteers that offer yoga programs in correctional facilities.

How do the volunteer yoga teachers reach remote facilities like Clum Bay Correction Center?

Volunteer yoga teachers travel four to five hours each way by car and ferry to reach remote facilities such as Clum Bay Correction Center, which houses up to 858 inmates.

What type of inmates participate in the yoga classes at Clum Bay Correction Center?

Inmates housed in medium to maximum security at Clum Bay participate in the yoga classes. These individuals often have varied backgrounds, including traumatic pasts, injuries, and chronic pain.

What are some of the benefits of yoga for incarcerated individuals?

Yoga helps inmates reduce tension, manage pain, improve flexibility, and offers a mental escape from the confines of prison. It also teaches them mindfulness and creates an opportunity to connect with others in a peaceful environment.

Who is Greg, and what role does he play in the 'Yoga Behind Bars' program?

Greg is an inmate serving a life sentence without parole under Washington’s three-strikes law. He is a yoga instructor in the prison and plays a significant role in recruiting other inmates to participate in the program.

What misconceptions might people have about prisons and how does 'Yoga Behind Bars' address them?

Many people may have misconceptions about prison life, assuming it’s solely harsh or punitive. 'Yoga Behind Bars' addresses this by promoting rehabilitation, showing that inmates are people capable of change, reflection, and growth through yoga.

How did Joshua, a former inmate, benefit from yoga?

Joshua, who was incarcerated as a juvenile, found that yoga helped him manage his destructive tendencies and find inner peace. After his release, he became involved with 'Yoga Behind Bars' to help others inside.

How does the physical environment in prison affect the yoga practice?

Inmates often practice in cramped conditions, such as touching walls or beds during poses, but yoga allows them to 'take up space,' which is a meaningful and liberating experience given the limited physical freedom in prison.

What are some future aspirations of inmates who participate in yoga classes?

Many inmates, like the one featured towards the end of the script, hope to continue practicing yoga upon release. Some also aspire to pursue jobs in fields like programming or technology while integrating yoga into their lives for continued personal growth.

Outlines

00:00

🧘‍♀️ Introduction to Yoga Behind Bars and Rehabilitation

This section opens with an inspiring message about the challenging yet rewarding nature of yoga and mindfulness. It introduces Yoga Behind Bars, a Seattle-based organization using yoga as a rehabilitative tool in correctional facilities. Volunteer yoga instructors travel long distances to teach yoga at Clallam Bay Correctional Center, which houses up to 858 inmates in medium to maximum security. The director, Rosa Vissers, introduces the organization as a group of passionate women operating in 16 facilities, including prisons, jails, and youth detention centers.

05:00

💪 Inmates' Perspective on Yoga and Physical Wellness

Inmates share their experiences with yoga, particularly in how it targets muscle groups often overlooked in traditional bodybuilding. One inmate mentions that yoga helped with chronic back pain from a gunshot wound. The practice provides physical benefits and also encourages camaraderie, as inmates are placed in close environments with people they wouldn't normally interact with. David, an inmate who attended the first yoga class at Clallam Bay, has continued practicing since then and finds it relaxing and beneficial for his well-being.

🏋️‍♂️ The Transformation Through Yoga

This paragraph describes the restricted mobility inmates face, having limited time outside their cells, making the practice of yoga in small spaces a significant shift. It discusses how preparing for prison life can be challenging due to misconceptions about the environment. Yoga Behind Bars works with men, women, and juveniles from diverse and often traumatic backgrounds. Greg, an inmate serving life without parole under Washington's three-strikes law, teaches yoga and aspires to train other inmates to become instructors, further spreading the practice in prison.

🙏 Greg's Leadership in Yoga Behind Bars

Greg’s role in the yoga program is highlighted, showcasing his leadership and commitment to making a difference in prison. He has been instrumental in recruiting others who might not have otherwise tried yoga. He teaches a specific breathing exercise, helping inmates manage stress. Greg’s influence in the program makes him a respected figure, and his efforts are helping foster a sense of community and mental well-being among the participants.

🌟 A Skeptic's Journey to Embracing Yoga

Another inmate reflects on how he used to view yoga as something 'just for girls,' but after taking classes, his perspective changed. He now sees the immense benefits of the practice, both physically and mentally. The speaker acknowledges that while these inmates made serious mistakes in their pasts, they are still human, capable of growth and change. Mentoring is a significant part of the rehabilitation process, and this inmate has found personal transformation through yoga, both in prison and after his release.

🌱 Finding Peace Through Yoga During Incarceration

This paragraph features Shua, who was incarcerated as a juvenile and spent 10 years behind bars. He discusses how yoga helped him temper his destructive tendencies and how joining Yoga Behind Bars allowed him to deepen his practice. He recalls practicing yoga alone in his cell and later outdoors, despite initial skepticism from his peers. Now free, Shua looks forward to returning to prison to share his yoga knowledge with others, continuing the cycle of healing and growth.

🌧️ Yoga as a Mental Escape from Prison Tension

An inmate reflects on how yoga offers a mental escape from the tension of prison life. Despite the rainy and gloomy environment in the correctional facility, yoga provides a sense of freedom and peace. The practice allows the individual to temporarily transcend the physical limitations of prison walls, which helps significantly with mental well-being. The inmate is optimistic about his future upon release, with plans to pursue a career in programming while continuing to practice yoga to further his personal growth.

❤️ The Impact of Yoga Programs in Prisons Nationwide

The closing remarks emphasize the importance of yoga in discovering the goodness and humanity within inmates. Yoga Behind Bars and similar programs across the country convey the message that incarcerated individuals are worthy, valuable, and cared for. The segment invites viewers to reflect on the value of alternative rehabilitation methods and to share their thoughts on such programs in the comments. It concludes with a gentle reminder of how yoga fosters connection and transformation, even within prison walls.

Keywords

💡Yoga Behind Bars

Yoga Behind Bars is an organization in Washington that brings yoga and mindfulness practices to prisons and jails as part of rehabilitation efforts. It is a central theme in the video, highlighting the positive impact of yoga on inmates by fostering physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The organization's volunteers travel long distances to teach yoga at correctional facilities, emphasizing the importance of care and rehabilitation for incarcerated individuals.

💡Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation in the video refers to the process of helping inmates recover or improve mentally, emotionally, and physically. Programs like Yoga Behind Bars aim to provide inmates with tools to cope with stress, trauma, and anger, offering a path to self-improvement and reintegration into society. The video presents rehabilitation through alternative practices, contrasting it with traditional punitive approaches in prison.

💡Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the moment, often through focused breathing and meditation. In the video, mindfulness is integral to yoga, helping inmates manage emotions, reduce stress, and build self-awareness. The concept is important as it teaches individuals to focus on inner peace and reflection, which contrasts the high-stress environment of a prison.

💡Trauma

Trauma refers to the emotional and psychological wounds that many inmates carry, often from their past experiences. The video mentions that Yoga Behind Bars works with individuals who have varied and traumatic backgrounds. Yoga helps address this trauma by providing inmates with tools to process their emotions, heal, and foster resilience.

💡Incarceration

Incarceration refers to the state of being confined in prison. The video provides a glimpse into the lives of inmates who are incarcerated in Washington's correctional facilities. It challenges the stereotype of prison as only a place of punishment by showing how yoga can bring a sense of freedom, even behind bars, helping inmates find personal growth and peace.

💡Three Strikes Law

The Three Strikes Law is mentioned in the video in relation to one inmate who faces life in prison due to this legislation. The law mandates life sentences for individuals convicted of three serious criminal offenses. The video uses this example to demonstrate how some inmates, like Greg, despite facing life imprisonment, find purpose and redemption through practices like yoga, which he teaches to others in prison.

💡Volunteering

Volunteering is a key element of the Yoga Behind Bars program, as all yoga instructors travel voluntarily to teach inmates. The video highlights the commitment of these volunteers, who often travel long distances to remote correctional centers, showing their dedication to providing yoga as a form of service and compassion to incarcerated individuals.

💡Mental Health

Mental health in the video is addressed through the benefits of yoga for inmates, especially in terms of reducing stress, anxiety, and emotional tension. The prison environment is described as highly stressful, and yoga helps improve inmates' mental health by offering a way to calm their minds and cope with the emotional strain of incarceration.

💡Self-awareness

Self-awareness is a crucial outcome of practicing yoga and mindfulness. The video shows how yoga helps inmates reflect on their actions, understand their emotions, and develop a deeper sense of self. This self-awareness is important for their rehabilitation and personal growth, allowing them to reconnect with their inner selves in a challenging environment.

💡Community

Community is fostered among inmates who participate in yoga classes, breaking down social barriers that exist within the prison environment. The video illustrates how yoga encourages interaction between people who might not usually connect. This sense of community builds solidarity and support, helping inmates form healthier relationships with others during their incarceration.

Highlights

Yoga Behind Bars is a Seattle-based organization using yoga and mindfulness for rehabilitation.

Volunteer yoga teachers travel long distances, including using ferries, to reach remote prisons like Clum Bay Correction Center.

The program serves men, women, and juveniles in 16 facilities, including prisons, jails, and youth detention centers.

Participants include those with back pain, injuries, or physical trauma, demonstrating the physical benefits of yoga.

Yoga is not only a physical practice but also helps inmates cope with emotional and mental challenges of incarceration.

David, one of the long-time participants, highlights the space yoga provides in an otherwise confined prison environment.

Yoga Behind Bars challenges misconceptions about prison life and fosters connections among people who might not normally interact.

Greg, an inmate serving a life sentence, teaches yoga to fellow inmates and recruits others who wouldn’t typically engage in yoga.

Inmates like Greg are learning to teach yoga, with hopes to sustain these programs within the prison.

The mental health benefits of yoga are emphasized, with inmates sharing how it helps alleviate tension and stress in prison.

Joshua, a former inmate, reflects on how yoga helped him during his time in prison and now contributes to Yoga Behind Bars as a volunteer.

Yoga practices introduced by Yoga Behind Bars help inmates discover their humanity, worth, and value, combating feelings of isolation.

Yoga Behind Bars demonstrates the transformative potential of yoga for rehabilitation, impacting mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

The program offers an alternative form of rehabilitation that promotes healing, self-awareness, and community building within prison walls.

Similar programs to Yoga Behind Bars are growing across the nation, indicating a wider trend in using alternative rehabilitation methods.

Transcripts

[Music]

inhale and exhaling As you

move some of this is hard work it's

intense we love the workout

today it was good you did beautiful love

thank you thank you thank

[Music]

you Seattle base yoga Behind Bars is one

of about a dozen organizations using

yoga and mindfulness in their approach

to Rehabilitation today we're going to

go go all the

way over here volunteer yoga teachers

travel four to 5 hours each way through

cars and fairies to the remote Clum Bay

correction center it houses as many as

858 inmates in medium to maximum

security custody I'm Rosa vissers I'm

the executive director of yoga Behind

Bars we are a team of Super Rad women

currently we are at 16 facilities

prisons jails and youth detention

centers is this your first time yeah

first time welcome I signed up for yoga

because I heard it works the muscle

fibers that you really don't get you

know while your bodybuilding or lifting

weights in here I'd love to hear if

there's chronic back pain or you're

recovering from an injury or back injury

and a shutter injury okay is a herniated

disc or it just I been I had a gun shot

on so Yoga Works because it accesses so

many different parts of a

person you have difficulty just being

put in an environment with someone that

you wouldn't normally uh spend time with

so you learn to accommodate uh probably

about 5T 6 feet maybe David actually was

in the first class at colum Bay that I

taught when we started the program and

he's been in that class ever since yoga

comes in CU it's so relaxing it helps

you to uh interact I can do this pose or

a lot of other balancing poses you can

extend your arms out to the side and

you're touching a wall you're touching a

bed there's not a lot of room and when

you're in a yoga class and you're

invited to take up space that's a big

shift uh we have day room time so we can

go out in the day room throughout the

day uh but otherwise we can't really go

anywhere we want to I think it's

difficult to prepare for anybody to go

into prison if you've not been there

because there's so many misconceptions

about what a prison or a jail might be

like yoga Behind Bars is Network of2

volunteers work with men women and

juveniles with varied backgrounds and

traumatic pasts Greg faces life in

prison as a result of Washington's three

strikes law he instructs yoga and hopes

to train other inmates to teach it

imprison so I get the students in a in a

wide-legged stance like this with the

toes pointed out bring the fist together

and it's a it's a two-part inhale and we

hold it and then it's a thrustful exhale

two-part exhale like that Greg one of

our teachers Behind Bars is serving a

life without parole sentence and he's

been so instrumental in the yoga program

at CLM Bay because he's a leader people

really look up to him and so he's been

recruiting people that I think otherwise

would never have tried to come to yoga

slowly peel the chest off the mat

pressing into the hands very

lightly using exhale to ride back

down untucking the

toes I'm also one of the students in the

yoga class I didn't believed in yoga I

always thought that yoga was for girls

or whatever the case may be until I

really started taking yoga classes these

are people like you and me some of us

make pretty bad mistakes there's a lot

of time that goes into mentoring people

and preparing them all together I spent

from like 15 to 25 years old I just got

out two years ago shua was first

incarcerated as a juvenile spending 10

years behind bars on the inside he says

he tempered his destructive Spirit

through yoga and today contributes to

yoga Behind Bars hearing about yoga

Behind Bars was awesome because I had

started playing with yoga um by myself

like in my cell and so to hear that

there was like an organization that was

bringing it inside of the prison was

really rad the first time that I

practiced yoga outside of my cell um I

practiced in the yard big yard and U

like all of my friends were like the are

you doing like you're not supposed to be

doing yoga man that's not cool now I'm

excited and looking forward to going

back inside a prison and uh sharing

sharing this practice with

folks we got get a lot of rain this is

the rainy City we most definitely have a

lot of rain you can see it through a

little bit but you really can't see cuz

it's still Double Glass so yoga affects

my mental state so much because you got

to realize like we're in prison so

there's so much tension and there's so

much stuff going on just being able to

do yoga it takes you outside of these

walls it it helps me so

much I'm supposed to get out in the near

future and I'm hoping to get a job in

programming application development and

uh I hope to find somewhere where I can

practice yoga and continue to progress

in that skill yoga is a way to discover

the goodness our humanity and I think

it's so important that people behind

bars get that message that they're

worthy that they're valuable and that we

care about them we featured yoga Behind

Bars of Washington but there's a dozen

other similar programs Across the

Nation what do you think about programs

that offer alternate forms of

Rehabilitation let us know in the

comments below

[Music]