Yoga + mindfulness at Oregon State Hospital

We were thrilled to stumble upon an article on the Oregon.gov web site about yoga at Oregon State Hospital.

The benefits of an ongoing practice yoga, meditation, breath work, etc. are so vast for any of us. It is especially heartening to discover testimonials of practitioners in institutions who are able to get off of medication as a result of their practice. Or to hear gratitude from a student about how their body and mind feel after their yoga practice. These are therapeutic results. Yoga works.

Enjoy the article.
http://www.oregon.gov/oha/amh/osh/pages/features/2012-0418-mindfulness.aspx

What is the impact of Mindful Yoga?

Mindful Yoga touches lives and changes people. Here are a few testimonials from current and former students.

“I’m always hesitant when volunteers come in and tell us that they want to make this a ‘safe place’. I am very suspicious about ‘safe places’. I’ve been hurt in ‘safe places’. But I’ve come to realize that the weekly yoga class really is a safe place, somewhere  I can let the walls down and be me.  I orient my week around the yoga class; it is where I get recharged for the next week, and I can tell it in myself if I miss a week or a class is cancelled. Thank you for being here.” - C.

“Thank you to the instructors that come in ever week. The biggest thing for me is dependability. If you say you are going to do something, then do it. Our lives are very isolated in here, and we don’t know what is going on in your lives on the outside, but we are incredibly appreciative of the time you give us. Thank you very much.” - P.

“I really like learning the different parts of yoga, not just hatha. There is prana, nidra, and all the others I can’t remember the names of.” - V.

“The prison is never quiet. There is always the sound of the slamming doors, the shouting officers, the ever-present whoosh of the HVAC system. It is never quiet. I went to yoga thinking it was nothing but stretching, and as a runner I needed a good stretching routine. What I found was peace and quiet. I don’t mean it was quiet in the room...it was, but it is never quiet...what I mean is that I found a place on the mat in the poses that was peaceful to me. I found the moment. I found a connection with my breath and my body that I carried with me each and every day of the week. That helped me so much. The prison is never quiet, but I can find a space inside me that is now. I’ve never had that before. You don’t know how much it means...you really don’t.” - J.

Volunteer Opportunities
We are completely volunteer based and are always looking for more volunteers. If you are interested in helping to change lives—yours included—call or text Jim Wanless 503-319-3280 or email mindfulyogasalem@gmail.com

Seeking volunteers to teach yoga

Become a Mindful Yoga Volunteer: 

Please email us if you are interested in helping us with our goal.

Our volunteers teach or assist once a month or once a week.

Teach Yoga

Welcome to Mindful Yoga Salem.

We are a group of volunteers who teach yoga 

at Oregon State Penitentiary, Oregon State Correctional Institution 

and Santiam Correctional Institution.

Our aim is to create a space where inmates have an opportunity 

to explore who they are through the practice of yoga.

Become a Mindful Yoga Volunteer:

Please email us if you are interested in helping us with our goal.

Our volunteers teach or assist once a month or once a week.

To get started, please download LEDS form and fill out the Oregon State Corrections background check form.