Trauma Informed Yoga for the Incarcerated

Hi Community,

We hope everyone is healthy and safe.

This is the latest update on our carceral facility programming.  As of right now, all Duval County Carceral programs are on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are in constant communication with staff at all three facilities and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO), and due to the high numbers of COVID cases in the Jacksonville area, all external programs are being paused per JSO.  We will keep you updated on this program and our next action steps.  In lieu of in-person programs, we have been offering virtual classes to individuals involved with the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court in Duval County.  These classes run four times per week and are recommended by Judges in Veteran Court, Mental Health Court and Drug Court. Also, in Duval County, we continue to teach to the youth at the Department of Juvenile Justice.  In a recent Florida Department of Juvenile Justice newsletter, they state " The Yoga 4 Change team visits the youth every Tuesday to share their instruction.  The instructors are patient and helpful in teaching the basic foundations of yoga, and the youth greatly enjoy the class." 

In addition, we continue to offer in-person classes to individuals in correctional facilities in Seminole County.  These classes have been on-going since the beginning of 2021 and are being researched by our Director of Research, in partnership with Boston University.  Individuals track mood, stress and physical pain levels via notecards both before and after class and they self-report on multiple outcomes through a pre- and post survey taken before starting classes and after 6-weeks of programming.  Outcomes such as post traumatic stress, emotional awareness, emotional regulation and healthy coping skills.  Photos posted are from individuals notecards after one yoga class.  

Links:

• Free Resource - 20 Minutes of Stretches