I'm a yoga instructor at a men's prison. Here's how my classes help relieve inmates' stress and anxiety.
a 31-year-old prison program lead based in London, about what it's like to teach yoga at a men's prison. Insider verified his income with documentation. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Later, the women asked if I'd be interested in teaching a free yoga class at a men's prison in South London. I took the opportunity and trained to be a teacher, eventually teaching my first classes at the men's prison. It's a real effort to gather them all together. Some days, the guys are still asleep, have a family visit, or have a healthcare appointment, which means they can't practice for the day. Other times, they're resistant to attend because they have preconceived notions about who yoga is for.
Typically, my class starts with a meditation, followed by gentle movements and controlled breath work. After that, I gradually incorporate postures like child's pose, cat-cow variations, and sun salutations as I guide them through a flow. Once the class is over, I ask the guys for their feedback. We discuss what felt good — and what didn't — and I adjust my yoga routines accordingly.
Outside of the prison, people ask if I find the job scary. It's not. Aside from the banging, shouting, alarms, and dogs barking, it's just a class. It's not in their interest to be in any way aggressive or fearful towards me. In fact, the men are friendly, creative, and intelligent — and we have a good time.
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