Our SolutionA Healing-Centered Approach to Rehabilitation and the Restoration of Communal Ties
The punitive nature of incarceration deeply affects mental health.
Conditions inside correctional facilities increase the impact of psychiatric symptoms. Crowded living, violent conditions, and the stress of punitive segregation foster the development for major depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Isolation and punitive measures within the prison system fail to solve underlying mental health issues.
These conditions do not meet the goal of rehabilitation and increase the likelihood of recidivism.
The criminal justice system has become an unintentional primary provider of mental health services due to systemic cuts in public mental health funding.
Consequently, many individuals only receive mental health care once they are incarcerated, facing the challenges of inconsistent and insufficient treatment within the prison system.
The failure to provide appropriate mental health services, coupled with the stressful environment of incarceration, can lead to a cycle of re-arrest and re-incarceration, particularly for those with untreated mental health disorders.
I am tormented by voices; I hear them all the time. During the yoga class, it becomes completely silent and calm. It's like I go into 'Airplane mode,' I get to rest from everything for a while and truly land in myself.
Forensic Psychiatry Clinic in Sweden
Prison Yoga Project advocates for a healing centered approach to rehabilitation.
Through trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness practices, PYP aims to address the mental, emotional, and relational impacts of incarceration, offering tools for self-regulation, emotional resilience, and positive community engagement. By focusing on holistic well-being and personal growth, Prison Yoga Project seeks to break the cycle of recidivism and support the reintegration of justice-impacted individuals into society.
Our Programs
Trauma-Informed Yoga Programs
Healing starts at the somatic level, where individuals are given the opportunity to rewire their nervous system and shift their behavior and relationships.
Trauma-Informed Training
Comprehensive trauma-informed yoga training and embodied awareness, focusing on empathy, compassion, and personal accountability for justice-impacted individuals.
Publications & Materials
Since 2010 we have sent more than 40,000 copies of our books, 'Yoga: a Path for Healing and Recovery' and 'Freedom From the Inside' by request, free-of-charge.
Advocacy & Consulting
We support facilities, government agencies, organizations, and individuals in establishing trauma-informed, mindfulness-based yoga in prisons and jails.
Trauma-Informed Yoga Programs
Healing starts at the somatic level, where individuals are given the opportunity to rewire their nervous system and shift their behavior and relationships.
Trauma-Informed Training
Comprehensive trauma-informed yoga training and embodied awareness, focusing on empathy, compassion, and personal accountability for justice-impacted individuals.
Publications & Materials
Since 2010 we have sent more than 40,000 copies of our books, ‘Yoga: a Path for Healing and Recovery’ and ‘Freedom From the Inside’ by request, free-of-charge.
Advocacy & Consulting
We support facilities, government agencies, organizations, and individuals in establishing trauma-informed, mindfulness-based yoga in prisons and jails.
I know that there are men I deal with every day who are different from the men they were when they arrived in prison.
Public Information Officer, San Quentin State Prison
A Global Healing Movement
In 2023, the Prison Yoga Project expanded its reach significantly, launching 92 new programs and garnering 45,888 attendances across 202 programs in 11 countries and 19 US states. This global presence, from North America to Europe and beyond, showcases the universal resonance of PYP’s yoga and mindfulness-based rehabilitation and trauma-informed methods. Rooted in the initial efforts at San Quentin State Prison, PYP has grown into a global movement for transformative healing: training over 2,500 teachers, reflecting a deep commitment to fostering rehabilitation, and community well-being through mindful practices.
Experience The Power of Transforming Lives Together
Participant feedback from PYP’s programs paints a picture of profound impact. Remarkably, 100% of participants felt they benefited from the program, with a similar majority willing to recommend it to others. This positive reception is echoed in the 100% net promoter score for PYP’s Yoga Teacher Training, highlighting the high value and effectiveness of our training. Through our expansive reach and the transformative experiences of our participants, PYP continues to advocate for a compassionate and restorative approach to rehabilitation.
