Yoga Dharma Principles

Yamas, Niyamas, Qualities of the Sattvic Heart, Brahmaviharas, and more

Sarahjoy Marsh and our prison yoga volunteers. These discussions on the dharmic principles of yoga begin with the 10 Yamas + 12 Niyamas and then lead to the Brahmaviharas and the 26 Qualities of the Sattvic Heart. These lessons were recorded during the pandemic and added to a yoga teacher training course for our Prison-based training program. Adults in custody are not only studying yoga but also becoming certified yoga teachers inside their facilities.

The Yoga Dharma Principles are also being made available to public students who support our mission and vision for these life-changing programs. To have access to this library, please click the donate button below. 

PRISON YOGA TEACHER TRAINING

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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.

In 2019, we began the 200-hr training at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, Oregon's women's prison. 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 began hosting their second round of Yoga Teacher Training in 2019 where our certified resident teachers at the prison are assisting us in training the new cohort of trainees.  

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.

Watch more testimonials from our Prison Yoga Teacher Training here.

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

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