Articulo publicado originalmente en Seva Sightings del Yoga Alliance, Estados Unidos en mayo 2007.
Prison Project in Mexico!
Anusara Parinaama Mexican Prison Project just celebrated our fourth anniversary teaching in prisons this April - a rather miraculous occurrence in view of the many difficulties we have encountered along the way! I was inspired to create this project by the example of Siddha Yoga's Swami Muktananda who visited prisons in the United States and gave talks to inmates about the inner freedom they could readily access by freeing themselves from the shackles of the ego.
Being a Psychologist with a Specialization in Addictions and Bereavement Therapy and a Certified Anusara Yoga Instructor I had already been using yoga therapeutically and teaching what I call Parinaama Yoga or Yoga for Stress and Addictions here in Mexico. When I visited the prison in Atlacholoaya, Morelos, between Mexico City and Acapulco, I was fortunate that the director of the two CERESO institutions (female and male prisons) was an open minded Psychologist, Miguel Angel Calvo who welcomed an alternative approach to deal with the problem of substance abuse inside.
I began to visit the men's prison once a week to give an hour and a half or two hour class. I started inviting other teachers from different yoga traditions to help out. We now have ten regular volunteers donating a day a month in the prisons. These volunteers range from Ashtanga to Iyengar with a majority of Anusara Inspired instructors. Felipe Cuevas, an inmate, led practice sessions the inmates themselves requested to do on their own.
We got started with the support received in the form of sticky mats from Certified Iyengar Teacher, Herta Rogg, It is because of the financial support received from John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga, and the Anusara teachers/students in the USA that we continue operating. To honor this I renamed the Parinaama Yoga Prison Project the "Anusara Parinaama Mexican Prison Project" - two years ago. It was thanks to a generous donation from Gaiam, orchestrated by Sue Hollingshead, one of the Anusara instructors, that we have mats enough for both prisons now. Individual donations received from open hearted yogis in the States also made an enormous difference to our work. Here in Mexico we have offered fundraising workshops at various studios,with well known teachers donating their time and expertise. At Ananda in Cuernavaca they offer discount rates for inmates who've been freed and want to continue their practice.
Felipe Cuevas, the inmate who led the practice sessions for a total of four years is now free. We are requesting sticky mats for him to be able to teach yoga on the outside in his local community in Chilpancingo. We are at present requesting permission from the prison authorities for shooting a movie about the transformational (parinaama) experiences the inmates have been reporting and to document what this whole effort has done to us teachers!
This has proven to be the best way of practicing yoga for me personally. We are all deeply moved by this opportunity to take yoga where it is so needed. I never cease to be astonished by the dedication, commitment and vision, in this group effort. I can honestly say that all the differences of personalities, styles and traditions amongst us have blended into one single shaft of light.
If there is anyone reading this who would like to contribute to our efforts please visit our website!
Ann Moxey, RYT 200
*Don't be shy. We'd love for you to tell us about your own efforts as well as those of other teachers. Please take a moment to e-mail us at [email protected] to tell us your story, no matter how small you think the effort may be. Your idea may spark another, and then another. One small voice can make a big difference! Om Shanti.
May/June 2007
Prison Project in Mexico!
Anusara Parinaama Mexican Prison Project just celebrated our fourth anniversary teaching in prisons this April - a rather miraculous occurrence in view of the many difficulties we have encountered along the way! I was inspired to create this project by the example of Siddha Yoga's Swami Muktananda who visited prisons in the United States and gave talks to inmates about the inner freedom they could readily access by freeing themselves from the shackles of the ego.
Being a Psychologist with a Specialization in Addictions and Bereavement Therapy and a Certified Anusara Yoga Instructor I had already been using yoga therapeutically and teaching what I call Parinaama Yoga or Yoga for Stress and Addictions here in Mexico. When I visited the prison in Atlacholoaya, Morelos, between Mexico City and Acapulco, I was fortunate that the director of the two CERESO institutions (female and male prisons) was an open minded Psychologist, Miguel Angel Calvo who welcomed an alternative approach to deal with the problem of substance abuse inside.
I began to visit the men's prison once a week to give an hour and a half or two hour class. I started inviting other teachers from different yoga traditions to help out. We now have ten regular volunteers donating a day a month in the prisons. These volunteers range from Ashtanga to Iyengar with a majority of Anusara Inspired instructors. Felipe Cuevas, an inmate, led practice sessions the inmates themselves requested to do on their own.
We got started with the support received in the form of sticky mats from Certified Iyengar Teacher, Herta Rogg, It is because of the financial support received from John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga, and the Anusara teachers/students in the USA that we continue operating. To honor this I renamed the Parinaama Yoga Prison Project the "Anusara Parinaama Mexican Prison Project" - two years ago. It was thanks to a generous donation from Gaiam, orchestrated by Sue Hollingshead, one of the Anusara instructors, that we have mats enough for both prisons now. Individual donations received from open hearted yogis in the States also made an enormous difference to our work. Here in Mexico we have offered fundraising workshops at various studios,with well known teachers donating their time and expertise. At Ananda in Cuernavaca they offer discount rates for inmates who've been freed and want to continue their practice.
Felipe Cuevas, the inmate who led the practice sessions for a total of four years is now free. We are requesting sticky mats for him to be able to teach yoga on the outside in his local community in Chilpancingo. We are at present requesting permission from the prison authorities for shooting a movie about the transformational (parinaama) experiences the inmates have been reporting and to document what this whole effort has done to us teachers!
This has proven to be the best way of practicing yoga for me personally. We are all deeply moved by this opportunity to take yoga where it is so needed. I never cease to be astonished by the dedication, commitment and vision, in this group effort. I can honestly say that all the differences of personalities, styles and traditions amongst us have blended into one single shaft of light.
If there is anyone reading this who would like to contribute to our efforts please visit our website!
Ann Moxey, RYT 200
*Don't be shy. We'd love for you to tell us about your own efforts as well as those of other teachers. Please take a moment to e-mail us at [email protected] to tell us your story, no matter how small you think the effort may be. Your idea may spark another, and then another. One small voice can make a big difference! Om Shanti.
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