James Fox started out in mindful meditation and yoga 30 years ago and soon after began teaching yoga to men facing life sentences at the San Quentin Prison. Soon after that, he founded the Prison Yoga Project, which is now all over the globe and is fueled by Fox’s dedication to teaching a trauma-informed approach in correctional facilities. The Prison Yoga Project’s reach is wide, in part because its approach is research based.
PYP’s and Fox’s classes not only address the standard self-regulatory aspects of any multi-modal yoga class; they even more profoundly apply a restorative justice model to help move students from the recognition of the harm they have done—not just to others but to themselves—to a place of empathy. This happens in many ways, but you will hear us talk most about the creation of community with them and for them. Fox talked about how to establish a practice in which everyone engages in pursuit of their highest good and their highest self. Indeed.
Enjoy the episode and as always, let us know if you have feedback, guest ideas, or anything else you want to chat about!
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Terms:
1. Restorative Justice Model: a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior
2. Raja Yoga: the system of concentration and meditation based on ethical discipline
3. Yamas: abstinence; the first of the eight limbs of yoga
4. Niyamas: observance; the second of the eight limbs of yoga
5. Pratyahara: withdrawal of the senses from their objects; the fifth of the eight limbs of yoga
6. Dharana: concentration; the sixth of the eight limbs of yoga
7. Dhyana: meditation; the seventh of the eight limbs of yoga
8. Asana: postures; the third of the eight limbs of yoga
9. Pranayama: the practice of controlling the vital force, usually through control of the breath; the fourth of the eight limbs of yoga
10. Ahimsa: non-violence or non-harming; one of the yamas
11. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: a form of psychological treatment that usually involves efforts to change thinking patterns
12. Dharma: one's duty
13. Sangha: community
14. Sympathetic Nervous System: the part of the nervous system that carries signals related to the "fight-or-flight" response
15. Parasympathetic Nervous System: the part of the nervous system that predominates in quiet "rest and digest" conditions; the main purpose is to conserve energy to be used later and to regulate bodily functions like digestion
16. Pada: part or portion
17. Victim Offender Education Facilitator: facilitators who work to help identify and repair the trauma as much as possible by creating an environment of trust, safety, inclusiveness, acceptance, and compassion
18. Moral injury: when one feels they have violated their conscience or moral compass when they take part in, witness or fail to prevent an act that disobeys their own moral values or personal principles
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References:
2. Prison Yoga Project's Donate a Book program
4. Sat Bir Khalsa episode on The Weeks Well podcast
5. Peter Levine
6. Gabor Maté
12. Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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Episode credits:
Original music by Kim's band Governess.
Produced by Alyssa Yeroshefsky and Kim Weeks.
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