We want the youth to know that they have a very special talent and gift that no one else possesses like them, but them. We want them to use the techniques of Yoga and Meditation to help them discover what these gifts are so they can use them to uplift themselves and others.
The incarcerated youth have an opportunity to use this time to think about their lives in a meaningful way and make some decisions about how they want to live the rest of their lives. None of them want to return to the detention facilities, yet, they need to have specific techniques to deal with the anger, fear and frustration that too often triggers behavior that leads to incarceration. They are smart youngsters and start to really get it even after just a few yoga classes.
These are some of the statements made by young men and women after they’d experienced their second or third Yoga Class:
“Man, those Yoga postures, the breathing, and meditation makes me feel better. It’s like it helps your mind and your body.”
— Artie“During the meditation, I started thinking...Do our conditions become our excuse or crutch for not taking risks in life?”
— Erika“After a while, this Yoga gives us control over ourselves. It helps cut through those feelings of not knowing who you really are.”
— Pat“Hey! My headache is gone, man...I just feel relaxed!”
— Janet“Yoga is cool!”
— Righteous“Sometimes we lose our identity in the things that we do. We get so busy, there’s no time to focus on ourselves mentally, physically, or emotionally. Our identities shift with our moods and conditions. However, we are NOT the conditions that we experience or the things that we do. We are not our jobs or the thousands of tasks that make up our jobs. We are not the sensations or emotions we feel. We are not the car we drive or the hood we live in. We are not “Mr. and Ms. Stressed Out.” We are ourselves. Unique, intelligent, sensitive and bright. Yoga helps us realize that. It helps us relax so we can be comfortable being our real selves. Talking about ‘getting real’……for me, Yoga is the way!”
— Erika