By Paulo Gombos, Co-Founder of The Atma Institute and PYP Brazil Director
We believe that true transformation happens when we are seen, heard, and welcomed. Since I began teaching yoga in a juvenile detention center a little over two years ago, I’ve experienced moments that reaffirm this belief every day. The practice of yoga goes far beyond physical postures — it opens up spaces for connection, listening, and healing.
In this story, I share one of those powerful experiences: a conversation circle on healthy masculinity with young people serving socio-educational measures. It was an encounter born from the desire to listen more deeply and to offer new perspectives on what it means to be a man in a society that often silences emotion.
Each visit to the facility reinforces my belief that the experiences we live are what give life meaning. Teaching yoga in this context has taught me more than I could have imagined — through the students, the staff, and the environment itself.
Before each class, I begin with a short conversation. This small ritual helps me sense how the teens are doing and shapes the direction of the session. More importantly, it gives them a moment to be heard — and that, in itself, has a huge impact.
A few months ago, the Atma Institute — a partner of the Prison Yoga Project — expanded its scope beyond yoga classes, also offering conversation circles on healthy masculinity. That’s when we welcomed Felipe Buony, a specialist in the subject and founder of Portal Mundo Homem. As soon as I learned about the possibility of bringing him in, I envisioned an encounter with the teens — and we quickly made it happen.
Felipe traveled to our city, and we organized a large conversation circle with 35 adolescents. We began with some light movement to relax and create a more open atmosphere. Then we moved into a group dynamic, and little by little, the teens felt more comfortable sharing their opinions, experiences, and emotions.
To ensure everyone had the chance to speak and be truly heard, we agreed that anyone who wanted to share would step into the center of the circle. This simple gesture — placing oneself at the center — represented courage, presence, and active listening. While one person spoke, the others listened with attention and respect. With great sensitivity, Felipe guided deeper reflections after each contribution, encouraging everyone to look at their own stories with more awareness.
By the end of the session, the feeling was one of lightness, belonging, and genuine connection. The teens felt valued, which was incredibly positive for everyone involved. The circle was so well received that we decided to continue the project in an online format. Since then, we’ve been holding monthly virtual meetings on healthy masculinity, always creating space for dialogue and active listening.
This is just one of the many transformative experiences that can emerge when we choose to bring yoga — in its most human form — into the prison system. Creating spaces of care, listening, and reflection is an essential part of our work. May more encounters like this one continue to grow, inspiring real change both inside and beyond the walls.
Learn more and connect:
Paulo’s Work in Brazil: prisonyoga.org/locations/brazil
Connect on Instagram: Paul Gombos Felipe Buony
