Perryville Women’s Prison on 2/22

On February 22, 2022 I willingly walked into a prison to teach yoga. As I entered the complex, I was asked to surrender my driver’s license for a guest pass. I then passed through a total of seven doors, each of which locked behind me, with no way to exit on my own. My ride to the yard where I was teaching was in a small bus driven by an inmate. As I cleared the last few locked doors, I was given a radio to use in case I had any issues. I was also told I would get a set of keys so I could exit the yard without assistance. After exiting the yard, I would still have six locked doors between my car and me.

Upon arriving to the yard where I would teach, I was led to a small classroom, already set up with 18 mats. Two inmates had everything ready to go – a sign in sheet that they took responsibility for, a CD player for music, and of course the yoga mats. Up until this point I had been escorted by my contact, a prison employee. Once I was settled in the room she left and began working to get everyone that had signed up for the class into the room.  She returned to the room several times and each time I asked for the keys and was assured she would eventually leave them with me, which she did. I had assumed I would have someone with me while I was teaching. This turned out to be wrong on my part. My escort assured me that I would be fine on my own. And it turns out, she was right. 

 I led an hour-long class to 18 women. My overwhelming impression was 

one of normalcy – it felt like every other class I’ve taught. The students and I laughed, bantered back and forth, and had a great hour. At the end of class one of the women told me that the class had made her feel human. We thanked each other, I spent a few minutes talking to one or two students that had questions, and with that, the evening was done. 

This brings me to my why. Why would I choose to spend four hours of my day traveling to and from a prison to teach yoga? Why would I even choose to enter a prison willingly? 

In 2017 I did yoga teacher training and my higher power told me that this was my work. From that moment I knew that at some point I would be given the opportunity to teach yoga in prison. And when that opportunity was offered, I took it. Although I was a bit nervous, just like I am starting any new class, I was not scared. I had faith that I would be protected if any issues arose.

My commitment is to continue teaching at least once per month at the prison. My class immediately asked if I could come twice, which I am willing to do. The arm of the company that has provided me with this opportunity has a non-profit status. Raising just $500 allows me to teach two classes a month for the rest of 2022. 

If you have enjoyed this story, and my videos on Instagram and Facebook about this experience, consider donating. Join me in my campaign to help the women in the prison system through the practice of yoga. I’ll put in time and effort and keep everyone updated on my experience. I’ve attached a donation link below.

If you can share this story with others, please do so. If you are able to donate and feel called to do so, click here After entering your information, choosing Prison Yoga Program under step four helps us keep providing yoga to women in prison.