At Pendleton, Yoga Is Community
By Betsie Davis, Prison Yoga Project Facilitator and Operations Coordinator When people hear “Prison Yoga Project,” they often imagine straightforward yoga classes in prisons. But for those of us facilitating these sessions, the reality is far more profound. I began volunteering with PYP in 2019 at Indiana State Prison, one of the country’s oldest facilities. […]
Healing the Body, Healing the Heart: Lessons from Yoga and Restorative Circles in Mexican Prisons
Prison Yoga Project is deeply grateful for the leadership and vision of Luisa Pérez, who has guided PYP–Mexico for the past eight years. As she steps down from her role, Luisa shares—in her own words—the journey, challenges, and profound impact of bringing yoga behind bars in Mexico. I write this article in the final month of […]
Behind the Scenes: Creating PYP’s First Graphic Novel
By Nicole Hellthaler, Executive Director At Prison Yoga Project, we love to share stories of impact—how yoga is reaching people in prisons and jails, and how it’s reshaping communities. Today’s story is a little different. We want to take you behind the scenes and share how our team created something brand new: our first-ever graphic […]
Healing Trauma Inside San Quentin with Bessel van der Kolk and Licia Sky, co-founders of the Trauma Research Foundation
By James Fox, PYP Founder What happens when some of the world’s leading voices on trauma step inside a notorious prison? On April 10, San Quentin welcomed Dr. Bessel van der Kolk—psychiatrist, researcher, and author of the groundbreaking The Body Keeps the Score—along with somatic educator Licia Sky. Hosted by San Quentin Mental Health in collaboration […]
From Inner War to Inner Peace: Yoga for Men in Norrköping, Sweden
Prison Officer. Space Holder. Healer.
By Nicole Hellthaler, Executive Director, Prison Yoga Project Author’s note: I usually use the term “incarcerated people” when referring to those behind bars, as it centers their humanity. In this piece, you’ll also see the word “prisoner,” which reflects the language more commonly used in the UK and in my conversation with Oana. Language, like […]
What Prison Taught Me About Hope
By Jacque Crockford, PYP Facilitator Where Do You Find Hope? I have been teaching trauma-informed yoga with Prison Yoga Project (PYP) at Richard J. Donovan (RJD) Correctional Facility for the past eight years. Week after week, since 2017, I’ve sat in circles, stood in yards, moved through breath, and shared stillness alongside men who are […]
Bringing Yoga to Parliament: Emma Smallman on Centering Hidden Voices
Hi, I’m Emma Smallman, based in Birmingham, UK—originally from the Lake District, where my journey began in very different surroundings. For 14 years, I worked with Geese Theatre Company, using drama in prisons and recovery settings to help people explore change and personal responsibility. It was deep, transformative work—and it led me to places I […]
Showing Up Matters: Reflections from RISE25
By Nicole Hellthaler, Executive Director, Prison Yoga Project From May 28th through June 1st, I had the privilege of representing Prison Yoga Project (PYP) at the RISE25 Conference in Kissimmee, Florida. Hosted by All Rise—a national training, membership, and advocacy organization focused on improving justice system responses to substance use and mental health disorders—this conference […]