Embodied Resilience: A Quasi-Experimental Exploration of the Effects of a Trauma-Informed Yoga and Mindfulness Curriculum in Carceral Settings.

Individuals who are incarcerated likely experience trauma or exacerbate existing trauma, which has significant health risks. Trauma-informed care aims to address the experienced trauma. The current study explored the effect of a trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness curriculum in carceral settings. In this quasi-experimental study, participants (n = 326) were assigned to either six weekly sessions of 60-minute group trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness or a waitlist control condition. Stress and mood were measured pre- and postclass, whereas coping, emotional awareness, emotional regulation, anxiety, anger management, compassion, self-compassion, forgiveness, and posttraumatic growth were measured pre- and postcurriculum. The trauma-informed group showed a significant increase in mood and decrease in stress after participation in class. Participants were more likely to use positive coping skills, experienced greater levels of forgiveness, and were more likely to experience posttraumatic growth after completing programming as compared to a control group. Qualitative data highlighted perceived improvements in mood, physical health, communication with peers, coping with anxiety and anger, focus and self-control, optimism, acceptance, and open-mindedness. The qualitative data also demonstrated the importance of supportive relationships outside of participants' peers (i.e., instructors). Outcomes suggest benefit of a trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness curriculum in aiding people who are incarcerated in supporting mental and physical well-being and building resilience.

Exploring the Benefit of Yoga Programs in Carceral Settings.

This article presents a perspective on the value of yoga and mindfulness programming in carceral settings. The authors explore this topic through interviews with two formerly incarcerated people who participated in yoga programming while incarcerated and who went on to become yoga instructors themselves. Also examined are the potential effects of yoga programming for people who are incarcerated, for those working within carceral settings, and on carceral environments generally. We share recommendations for implementing yoga programming in carceral institutions and discuss policy implications. The stories of both interviewees reflect the value and potential positive effects of yoga programming within criminal justice settings and suggest the need for sustained programming and ongoing empirical evaluation.

Trauma-informed yoga training in Kenya: A qualitative pilot study on feasibility and acceptability.

The current study presents a pilot qualitative exploration of the collaboration of two yoga service agencies in implementing a trauma-informed mindfulness-based teaching curriculum in Kenya, Africa. Yoga and mindfulness practices have been demonstrated as successful complementary and alternative approaches to managing the impacts of stress trauma. This study explores the feasibility and acceptability of mindfulness programming for yoga teachers in the Nairobi region of Kenya. Grounded theory is used to explore survey results. Outcomes demonstrate promise for both acceptability and feasibility. Curriculum tools were viewed as effective, and participants indicated intention to both utilize and share tools. Reflections on program effectiveness and impacts are addressed, as are potential considerations for improved program translation. Findings suggest the potential benefit for future collaborations, and also suggest best practices considerations for global implementation of embodied mindfulness programming.