by Jeanine Campbell
From PHN Issue 17, Summer 2013
The Prison Yoga Project is an organization based in California that seeks to establish yoga and mindfulness meditation programs in prisons and rehabilitation centers across the United States. They give trainings for yoga instructors interested in starting yoga programs in prisons, and have established over 20 prison yoga programs in correctional facilities across the country.
For prisoners who do not have access to a prison yoga
program, founder James Fox created a manual that explains of the benefits of
doing yoga and meditation, teaches the basics of yoga and mindfulness
meditation, and gives instructions on how to start a yoga and meditation
practice in prison. The Prison Yoga Project will ship the manual free to
prisoners who do not have a yoga program in their prisons.
To order a manual, send a letter requesting a
free copy of “Prison Yoga Project: A Path for Healing and Recovery”. In your
letter, explain you are a prisoner who would like to practice yoga and
meditation but that you don’t have access to a program. Tell them you would
like a free copy of the manual sent to you. Include your name, your prison
number, and your prison mailing address, and mail the letter to:
Prison Yoga Project
P.O Box 415
Bolinas, CA 94924
As the demand for these manuals is high, you might have to wait anywhere from a
few weeks to a few months to receive one. Be patient, it’s well worth the wait!