What is Mindful Yoga?
We started Mindful Yoga Salem with a few instructors that wanted to make a positive impact in the lives of inmates in the Oregon Department of Corrections. We offered hatha yoga classes once a week in two Oregon institutions: Oregon State Correctional Institution (OSCI) and Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP).
We felt that the benefits of yoga would be useful in the extremely stressful and notoriously violent prison system. What we found were eager, receptive, and appreciative students that taught us as much about ourselves as we taught them about yoga.
Since our beginnings, we have grown from two yoga classes of instructors and inmates into a community of like-minded people (inside and out) based in yoga but including meditation, mindfulness groups, and special events such as musical perfor- mances, cross cultural encounters, retreats within the institution, & special instructors in music, yoga, mediation, and spirituality. We teach weekly at OSCI & OSP, and recently started introductory classes at Santiam Correctional Institution (SCI).
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
Please send donations to:
Call and Response Foundation
138 White Rock Drive
Montpelier VT 05602
Attn: Mindful Yoga
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