For FacilitiesCreating Change Through Embodied Mindfulness & Yoga
Prison Yoga Project provides trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness practices as a means of self-empowerment and self-rehabilitation.
Prison Yoga Project provides trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness programs tailored for incarcerated individuals and correctional staff. Our approach focuses on cultivating self-control, emotional stability, while reducing stress and anxiety. Through our programs, we aim to enhance self-awareness, impulse control, decision-making, and physical well-being, while also promoting empathy, compassion, and community building.
Almost 44% of previously incarcerated people return to prison within their first year out.
We want to change that.
We understand that the impact of harm extends beyond incarcerated individuals—it affects survivors, correctional facility staff, and families waiting patiently at home. Our programs are informed by our understanding of the unique socio-cultural environment of incarceration, social justice issues, and the impact of trauma on the lives of incarcerated people and people working in the system.
We work with facilities by offering:
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.
Benefits of trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness in prisons:
- Reduce the physical, mental, and emotional impacts and healthcare costs associated with stress and unresolved trauma
- Develop the self-awareness, self-worth, empathy, and compassion that lead to positive personal and pro-social choices
- Foster a more peaceful and humane incarceration environment for incarcerated people and staff
- Reduce the rate of recidivism among formerly incarcerated people
Men that are more mindful, more aware, less angry, more physically fit costs us less. The benefits for the inmates as well for the institution, it’s been very positive.
FORMER Community Resource Partnership Manager, San Quentin State Prison
We bring a new approach, focusing on healing over punishment
Our commitment to holistic healing means we provide support and foster a sense of belonging and compassion for all those affected by our justice system.
Body-Based Practices
We believe that true healing begins at the somatic level, where individuals can cultivate a sense of safety within their bodies to rewire their behavior and nervous system. Our approach focuses on healing from the body up, providing tools for self-regulation that can break the cycles perpetuating suffering. By creating internal safety and stability, individuals can transform their responses to stress and trauma, paving the way for lasting change and well-being.
Trauma-Informed Programs
Recognizing that trauma, including that resulting from social conditions such as poverty, racism, and gender discrimination, is a primary driver of harm in our society, we create a nurturing environment that fosters healing and empowers individuals to embark on their own healing journeys.
Holistic Approach
Healing extends beyond the incarcerated individual. We support everyone affected, including the survivors who live with the aftermath, the correctional facility staff who carry the weight of their experiences home, and the families who patiently wait for their loved ones. Our approach acknowledges and addresses the diverse needs of all those impacted, fostering a holistic and systemic path to healing.
Self-Regulation & Increased Awareness
Our programs foster greater self-awareness and self-acceptance, along with enhanced empathy and acceptance of others. We guide participants in understanding the origins of harm and self-harm, including substance use, while encouraging greater personal accountability. By addressing these underlying issues, we empower individuals to make meaningful changes and develop healthier coping strategies.
Evidence-Based Methodology
Our commitment to learning is unwavering, with practices rooted in time-tested traditions and supported by contemporary scientific knowledge. By integrating ancient wisdom with modern research, we ensure our methods are both effective and innovative. This blend allows us to provide a holistic framework that meets the diverse needs of those we serve, promoting resilience, growth, and long-term well-being.
Non-Judgmental Support
Beyond offering yoga, our facilitators show up without judgment, fostering a healing human connection. We believe everyone is capable of transformation and offer unconditional support to all we serve. Our approach is rooted in empathy and respect, creating a space where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. Through genuine human connection and unwavering support, we empower participants to embark on their personal journeys of healing and transformation.
I know that there are men I deal with every day who are different from the men they were when they arrived in prison.
