COURSE DESCRIPTION
The United States incarcerates more people per capita than any other country in the world. Globally, an estimated 11.6 million people are in jails and prisons, with the majority serving time for nonviolent offenses. The impact of mass incarceration is felt disproportionately by communities of color, with Black and Hispanic individuals making up a disproportionate number of those behind bars.
Yoga teachers and therapists are in a unique position to support incarcerated individuals and help move the criminal justice system from one of retribution to one of restoration. Yoga can provide a space for healing and self-reflection, allowing incarcerated individuals to heal trauma that may have led to criminal behavior. It can also be a powerful tool for those who work in the criminal justice system to manage stress, build empathy, and process trauma in their day-to-day work.
This course explores the relationship between trauma and incarceration, differences between restorative and retributive justice, and how yoga can support therapeutic rehabilitation. You'll learn about the relationship between trauma and one's likelihood to be incarcerated, its disproportionate impact on communities marginalized from centers of power, and the unique challenges of providing trauma-informed care in correctional settings. Whether you're a yoga teacher or therapist looking to work in a correctional setting, or simply interested in learning more about this important issue, you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of how yoga can make a difference in the lives of those affected by mass incarceration.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
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02
Mass Incarceration and Restorative Justice
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Introduction
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Creating a Cultural Shift in the Criminal Justice System
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The Impact of a Yoga Program in a Prison
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What is it Like to be Incarcerated in the World Today?
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A Picture of Mass Incarceration in the United States
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The Correctional System Beyond Incarceration
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Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Prison System
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How Education and Poverty Impact Incarcerated People
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Alternatives to a Retributive Justice System
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Introduction to the Yoga Practice
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Grounding, Discharge, Releasing Frustration
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03
How Trauma and Incarceration are Linked
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Introduction
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Addiction and Mental Health Among Incarcerated People
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What Do We Mean By Trauma?
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How Different Types of Trauma Show up in the Incarcerated Population
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Transgenerational Trauma, Gangs, and Criminalization
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Connection Between ACEs and Adult Criminality
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04
Why Yoga for Trauma?
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Introduction
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Bessel van der Kolk, MD on Trauma and the Body
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A Few Words About What's Next
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How Yoga Supports Healing from Trauma
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Integrating Cognitive Approaches with Yoga
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Developing Greater Empathy and Sensitivity to Self through Yoga
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Helping Bring Emotional Balance to Incarcerated Women
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Introduction to the Yoga Practice
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Feeling Sensations, Moving with Breath Awareness
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How Yoga Made a Difference in One Incarcerated Woman’s Life
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05
How Classical Yoga Informs Our Work in Prisons
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Introduction
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How the Principles and Practices of Classical Yoga Support Rehabilitation
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How the Path of Karma Yoga Informs Our Work
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Yoga Therapy as a Framework to Support Incarcerated People
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The Distinction Between Teaching and Facilitating Yoga Classes
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06
Impact of Yoga in Prisons
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Introduction
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Research on the Benefits of Yoga for Incarcerated People
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Incarcerated Men Share Their Experiences with Yoga
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The Impact of the Prison Yoga Project Programs
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How to Continue Your Training with Prison Yoga Project
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How to Get Continuing Education Credits for this Course
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MEET THE INSTRUCTORS
Instructor Bio:
James Fox
Founder of Prison Yoga Project

MEET THE INSTRUCTORS
Instructor Bio:
Josefin Wikström
Program Director and Training Coordinator of the Prison Yoga Project

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