Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Yoga Classes in San Quentin Prison

I've been meaning to write this up for a while now, but life interrupts! Anyhow, I've recently learned about the Prison Yoga Project at San Quentin prison. They now have made available for their inmates ongoing yoga classes, and also the opportunity for inmates to study and become yoga instructors. This seemed a bit controversial to me at first, because it seems like prisons are being made a bit too "comfortable" with cable TV, fancy rec rooms, and state of the art gyms where big, mean felons are free to just spend hours upon hours a year getting bigger and meaner by the time they come out, you know? However, maybe the yoga is not such a bad thing. In fact, maybe they should ONLY let them do yoga! lol!! No MMA or kick boxing classes, please! I'm serious! Anyway....

As controversial as it is, perhaps the yoga program really is helping some of these inmates learn to meditate, focus and calm themselves at certain moments where they would otherwise react violently. One can only hope so, right? I'd rather see them doing yoga than hitting the heavy bag in the boxing room any day. In fact, more people on the outside could also use a bit more yoga and meditation in their lives, if you ask me. So, what do you think? Good program or yet another excessive prison luxury? Don't hold back, now! ;)
And if you're really curious, here's the website: http://prisonyoga.com/

15 comments:

Janiss September 30, 2010 at 12:31 AM  

I think you do have a point about having ONLY yoga available to them. Disallowing anything that would encourage macho posturing, while making available something that encourages introspection, flexibility and inner strength would be a great idea. Maybe it would help lower the inmate population longterm, who knows?

Greg September 30, 2010 at 7:58 PM  

I think that you have a point about the yoga, it does focus the mind and body. Maybe it would do more to rehabilitate them, than just the normal prison life.

Maybe more activities like yoga and less like cab;e, and like you said punching the heavy bag, which probably leads to more violence.

Good point..

William K Wallace October 1, 2010 at 4:33 PM  

Prison yoga seems like a good concept, I hope it helps to make those that have lost there way in life, better people.

Colloidal Silver October 4, 2010 at 11:47 AM  

Seems to me that the benefits to yoga that we all love would be the same no matter who or where it takes place. Sounds like a good idea!

KC October 7, 2010 at 3:08 AM  

Hmm... Interesting! Sounds cool to me ^^

Yamo October 8, 2010 at 11:02 AM  

What a great idea to have yoga sessions in prisons. I hope all the world's prisons hear about that and organize yoga sessions as well.

Yamo October 8, 2010 at 11:03 AM  

What a great idea to have yoga sessions in prisons.

Vullie Sophie October 8, 2010 at 10:30 PM  

proven that yoga also have positive benefits for the prisoners to train emotional balance

nyc diamond district wedding bands October 13, 2010 at 4:20 PM  

It seems like a great idea. Some guys go crazy in prison just doing nothing so I believe that it will help these guys relax and make peace with the ones they hurt.

Clenbuterol October 27, 2010 at 7:27 AM  

Really excited to find your blog, thanks for sharing such excellent information.

Anonymous,  November 5, 2010 at 6:14 AM  

I think the yoga program is better than any aggressive form of exercises such as martial arts or boxing. Yoga can be a form of relaxation and meditation to calm them down and help them rechannel their stress, aggression and fears.
I think this should be implemented in all prisons.

Jennievictorian November 12, 2010 at 8:00 AM  

As I read your blog post and thought for fitness yoga is very very necessary. Your post has provide tips on several benefits of doing yoga. I will visit your blog regularly because tips has inspired me for fitness & relaxation.

Karen and Gerard November 17, 2010 at 7:24 AM  

Yoga in prisons may prove helpful. I agree it's definitely better than weight lifting and boxing. Anything to get the prisoners to learn self-control and how to deal appropriately with their anger is a good thing.

excessive sweating November 30, 2010 at 2:04 AM  

his is SO inspiring! My hope is that more programs like this will be implemented in prisons throughout the U.S. What a change that would make!

excessive sweating December 7, 2010 at 9:23 AM  

Yoga in prisons may prove helpful. Yoga is the best exercise. Yoga also have positive benefits for the prisoners. Yoga is helpful in so many disease.

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