Show Notes
James Fox is the Founding Director of Prison Yoga Project, which he started in San Quentin and grew to 17 states and beyond.
In part one of a three-part series on prison yoga, James tells Derek about the program's origins (he started in a single juvenile detention center); the unique challenges and opportunities involved; and the story of a participant whose rehabilitation and parole was inextricably linked with the yoga practice he learned while behind bars.
James also talks about:
How yoga helped him get over back pain from running
How Prison Yoga Project scaled through word of mouth, teacher training, and their book
How men and women in prison tend to react to first trying yoga
The trauma-informed approach they've developed
The role yoga played in a parole hearing for a participant serving a life sentence
Links:
Prison Yoga Project is doing their annual fundraising drive. You can donate to the program directly here: https://prisonyoga.kindful.com
We'll be back with two more episodes focusing on yoga in prisons in the coming weeks.
More from Guys Talking Yoga
In this conversation, Josh Blatter shares his journey into yoga, discussing how he transitioned from a restaurant chef to a yoga teacher. He emphasizes the importance of foundational practice, the benefits of yoga for men including learning how to connect with your body, learning to feel what you feel as you move, as well as discovering the deep inner strength in your smaller, stabilizing muscles that help with so many other activities. The discussion highlights the significance of yoga in personal growth and healing, encouraging listeners to explore their own practice, and that it is never too late to start one’s practice.
Derek and Larry dive into the world of Bhakti Yoga with Josh Kane, founder of Gandiva Yoga based in New Haven, CT. Discover how Josh's journey from acting and music to yoga has shaped his life and teachings. Learn about the transformative power of yoga, the importance of spiritual practice, and the unique experiences at Esalen.
“One day I got a call from somebody who said, there's a problem with the yoga mats out there. They're very slippery, toxic, and not eco-friendly. Do you have any alternatives? I don't know why he called a rug pad business, but he called us and I just happened to answer the phone. As I chatted with him in the back of my mind I was thinking ‘Are there that many people doing this?’”
Mark Oppenheimer, author and former columnist for The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Nation, GQ, Slate, and The Wall Street Journal, is a professor at Washington University in St. Louis, where he focuses on politics, religion, and Jewish life and culture. After reading his 2024 Wall Street Journal article, Embracing My Inner ‘Yoga Man’ — in which he reflects on discovering yoga and his local studio during the COVID years — Derek and Larry invited Mark to discuss the benefits he’s experienced as a newcomer to the practice. Their conversation explores his journey from initial skepticism to embracing yoga’s challenges, joys, and community, and how it has shaped his life beyond the mat.
In this conversation, Las Vegas based yoga educator, yoga teacher, and massage therapist Jules Mitchell shares her journey from discovering yoga in college to becoming a leading voice in the field. She emphasizes the importance of understanding tissue behavior, effective stretching, and the broader implications of yoga practice. We explore the challenges and opportunities for men in yoga, touching on societal norms, the need for male role models, and the transformative power of yoga in fostering self-awareness and community. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or new to the practice, this episode offers valuable insights for integrating yoga into your life to support physical, mental, and emotional well-being.