Teaching Yoga to Incarcerated Populations

Abstract

This chapter examines the policy and pedagogical implications of the global phenomenon of prison yoga, with a specific focus on community-taught yoga classes for men in Canada’s federal prison system. Situated in the literature on prison physical culture, broadly, and prison yoga, specifically, the chapter reviews international and Canadian policy landscapes and the pedagogical and organisational approaches of specific prison yoga organisations operating in Canadian corrections systems. The chapter includes an in-depth commentary from a community yoga teacher who taught incarcerated men for 10-years in Canada’s federal prison system, providing rich insights on the philosophy, pedagogical approach, challenges, and potential benefits of these programmes. This chapter finds that, despite its widespread presence in prisons around the globe and the potential benefits it provides to incarcerated people, yoga is not specifically integrated into corrections policies; and that, at least in Canada, prison yoga programmes are primarily provided on an ad hoc basis by community teachers and organisations. Further, the chapter demonstrates how sensitive, empathetic, and well-trained coaches can engage prisoners and give sport programmes added social significance for participants. The chapter provides insights to sport coaches working with incarcerated populations and academics studying sport and incarceration and includes recommendations for improving the delivery and impact of prison sport programmes.