By James Fox, Founding Director
On May 14, Prison Yoga Project had the honor of presenting at the 36th Annual International Trauma Conference, hosted by the Trauma Research Foundation (TRF) in Boston. As a proud therapeutic alliance partner of TRF—founded by world-renowned trauma expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk—we were invited to offer a workshop as part of this seminal gathering of clinicians, researchers, and somatic practitioners dedicated to advancing trauma healing.
We led an engaging and well-attended workshop for over 200 participants. Representing our global team were PYP Founder James Fox, European Director Josefin Wikstrom, Training Manager Jen Lingren, and UK-based Mental Health Specialist Dee Opp. Together, they shared insights drawn from decades of experience delivering trauma-informed, somatic practices in correctional settings and beyond.
The interactive session introduced participants to PYP’s trauma-adapted yoga techniques, emphasizing how embodied methods can help individuals develop emotional regulation, build resilience, and foster deep healing. By integrating body-based wisdom with psychological understanding, the PYP team demonstrated how somatic tools can create safer pathways for people to reconnect with themselves and move toward wholeness.
This marks the third consecutive year that PYP has contributed to this influential event, which centers on cutting-edge, body-based approaches to trauma recovery. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this transformative space and for the continued partnership with TRF. Events like these affirm our commitment to bringing evidence-informed, healing-centered practices to some of the most underserved communities—while also growing a global conversation around the power of embodiment in trauma recovery.
Photo, L to R: James Fox (Founder, PYP), Dee Opp (UK-based Mental Health Specialist), Kevin Coleman (Director of Education, Shakespeare & Co), Josefin Wikstrom (Director of European Programs, PYP), Bessel van der Kolk (Founder, Trauma Research Foundation; Author, The Body Keeps the Score), Jen Lindgren (Training Manager/Program Director, PYP), and Tori Rhoades, PhD (Freelance Theatre/Movement Educator; Senior Faculty, Shakespeare & Co)
