GiveBIG on May 2nd to Yoga Behind Bars

All donations to Yoga Behind Bars are stretched by the Seattle Foundation during Give Big. Please consider giving at any level to help us sustain our community programs for many more years to come.

All you have to do is click right here on Wednesday May 2nd, and give what you can for our students and this community.

Spread the word, GIVE BIG, and stretch our reach!

YBB Teacher Training
March 31st & April 1st
at Lila Yoga in Madison park

Cost: $100; all proceeds to Yoga Behind Bars
(Scholarships and Sponsorships available)

The following is included:

• a newly updated manual with example classes and tips
• in-depth program information
• lessons learned from our veterans in the field
• presentation from a formerly incarcerated yoga practitioner
• anti-burnout strategies for sustained joyful service
• real-world examples and techniques for teaching vulnerable populations
• personalized feedback for your teaching
• boundary training

When you become a teacher for Yoga Behind Bars, you join a growing force in your community creating social change from within. We’re really looking forward to this!

~ SIGN ME UP ~

When:
Saturday March 31st 2:00 – 7:00pm
Sunday April 1st 1:00 – 5:00pm

Where:
Lila Yoga
2812 E Madison Street
Seattle, WA 98112

Contact:
Natalie Nakasone
volunteer@yogabehindbars.org
206-372-6776

Watch This

1. Describe yourself in three words.

Cathy: Passionate, curious, evolving

Marshall: Energetic, enthusiastic, empathetic

Natalie: Curious, resilient, giving

2. What’s your favorite yoga pose?

Cathy:  Pigeon, all variations.

Marshall: Vrksasana (Tree Pose). This pose is very powerful for me and continues to be the perfect reminder to maintain balance in my life and stay firmly connected to my core values.

Natalie: Balasana!

3. What are your goals for the new year?

Marshall: One of my goals for the year involves yoga. Go figure. I plan on increasing my knowledge of yoga fundamentals over the next year and using this foundation to begin expanding my practice to experience various forms and styles.

Natalie: One of my goals for 2012 is to celebrate my successes rather than mourn my failures.

Cathy: I find it much more effective to take on a path of practice rather then set a goal. The path I have chosen this year is to continually examine my own consciousness and refine the distinction between when I am integrating important feedback and when I am desiring to be validated from outside myself.

4. Why do you work with Yoga Behind Bars?

Cathy: It took me a long time to learn to do yoga for myself without a teacher. Now I understand that how consciousness resides in the body must be addressed before any kind of transformation is possible. As an art and science, the value of yoga is beyond anything that is currently being offered in most of the culture.

Marshall: I work with Yoga Behind Bars because I believe that yoga practice in a prison environment is an excellent way for inmates to improve their quality of life, work toward bettering themselves and to cultivate peace amidst a culture of violence. I also know that inmates are not allowed to do yoga classes on their own and without the willingness of our great volunteers and supporters, this opportunity for positive change will be lost.

Natalie: Three reasons: to affect positive change in the justice system in a very ethereal and non-violent way, to work with wonderfully gracious people who devote so much of their time to help others, and lastly, for every ounce of effort I offer the cause, I get threefold the fulfillment – it’s very much a reciprocal relationship.

Cathy Iacobazzi is a volunteer teacher and Director of Training for Yoga Behind Bars.

Marshall Reinsch is on the YBB Board of Directors, joining after his experience doing yoga while incarcerated.

Natalie Nakasone is our fabulous Volunteer & Event Coordination Intern.

Includes class footage, student interviews, and a message from Director Natalie Smith.

// Full Story