Working with 12-steppers, prisoners or recently released folks?

[Guest guest]

I'm looking for some general thoughts/advice on teaching this population, things to keep in mind, sets and meditations that you have found well-received, etc.All thoughts and thoughtful comments appreciated.Sat Nam,Sumpuran KaurAlbuquerque, New Mexico

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam Sumpuran Kaur,

 

I had the great fortune to teach for two years at a facility for women

just out of prison which used the Twelve Steps of AA as well as other

approaches for recovery and reintegration into society. Attendance at

class was mandatory, participation was not. The majority of the women

were less than enthusiastic initially, a few had some prior exposure to

yoga or knew someone who practiced, so were at least curious. The

number of women who actually got into the kriyas sort of ebbed and

flowed as the population shifted. I kept to the less strenuous kriyas

emphasizing long deep breathing, stretching, standing postures. Many

of the women had been sexually abused so sensitivity to postures was

necessary. Mantra was a favorite! Me and God, God and Me are One had

us all in tears every time, those smiling, glistening, joyously

chanting faces were miracles. There were some humps to get over with

language, chanting in Gurmukhi was likened to devil worship by some. I

reminded them that it was merely a language, like Spanish or English

and that smoothed the way for greater acceptance.

 

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me out of

the group.

 

Best to you and thank you for sharing this technology.

 

Joan Richards

[Guest guest]

Sorry fo rthe delay in responding - lots of messages waiting after solstice.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply, it will definitely be helpful

 

Sat nam and have a great day!

--- On Wed, 6/24/09, joan richards <joancarol wrote:

joan richards <joancarol Re:Working with 12-steppers, prisoners or recently released folks?Kundalini-Yoga Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 10:23 PM

Sat Nam Sumpuran Kaur,I had the great fortune to teach for two years at a facility for women just out of prison which used the Twelve Steps of AA as well as other approaches for recovery and reintegration into society. Attendance at class was mandatory, participation was not. The majority of the women were less than enthusiastic initially, a few had some prior exposure to yoga or knew someone who practiced, so were at least curious. The number of women who actually got into the kriyas sort of ebbed and flowed as the population shifted. I kept to the less strenuous kriyas emphasizing long deep breathing, stretching, standing postures. Many of the women had been sexually abused so sensitivity to postures was necessary. Mantra was a favorite! Me and God, God and Me are One had us all in tears every time, those smiling, glistening, joyously chanting faces were miracles. There were

some humps to get over with language, chanting in Gurmukhi was likened to devil worship by some. I reminded them that it was merely a language, like Spanish or English and that smoothed the way for greater acceptance.If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me out of the group.Best to you and thank you for sharing this technology.Joan Richards