Prison Yoga Teacher Training

At the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC), we train adults in custody to become certified yoga teachers. They teach to their peers living with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. With the practice of yoga, they are able to find stillness and quietness in an otherwise chaotic environment. Yoga helps them to practice non-violence and compassion on the inside.

Beginning in the Spring of 2015, we celebrated in March of 2016 as we graduated our first cohort of students at Oregon State Correctional Institution (OSCI). Our program was the first in the nation to successfully complete a Yoga-Alliance yoga teacher training in a prison. The 12 teachers on the inside are currently leading classes within the prison for which we offer ongoing support. Weekly, our volunteers on the outside offer feedback and support to our OSCI teachers.

This year the 200-hr training at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, Oregon's women's prison, began on September 6th! Our trainees, women in custody with commitments to yoga and service, will become yoga teachers for their inside community in the Behavioral Health Units.

OSCI is hosting their second round of Yoga Teacher Training where our certified resident teachers at the prison are assisting us in training the new cohort of trainees.  We began this training on November 30th. 

The Department of Corrections is moving toward a Trauma-informed model. We are honored to partner with them in providing these vital services for all.
These Certified Yoga Teachers are long term Adults in Custody:
“The program has given me more perspective of the brain and neuroscience stuff. It’s been cool looking at the brain developmentally, looking at how people are functioning. That’s taught me a little more compassion, a little more patience.”

​– Shawn, OSCI Yoga Teacher in Residence
“I’ve been so excited about this program from the beginning. When the volunteer teachers started coming in, I felt the sense of community in here growing in a way that I just never saw possible before. I dreamed of stuff like this. I’m like, “Yeah, this would feel great.” The reality is beyond that expectation.”

​– Kevin, OSCI Yoga Teacher in Residence
From Matt Meinert, Lead Volunteer Teacher at OSCI and Mentor to Inmate Teachers: (February, 2019)

I am following up from our Sunday class. Things went really well! We had 17 guys in class and 1 working in the office.

The teachers are doing a good job teaching and holding space for their students, those with mental health challenges, chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries, and developmental delays.

These students seem to be enjoying the class and are  getting good self-care tools out of it.

This last class they focused throughout the class on using your breath to still the mind in times of chaos and noise.
They spoke of their personal experience with yoga and using these tools to help them in their lives. It was compelling. 

The class was a good mix from all the different units. My hope is a community (sangha) develops where they help each other to become better people using the tools of yoga, meditation and mindfulness. 

Jeff and Kevin taught last week. Jake and Mark are teaching this week. 
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