Lessons in flexibility: Introducing a yoga program in an Australian prison

Anthony Hopkins*, Lorana Bartels, Lisa Oxman

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    5 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    International research provides support for yoga as a wellbeing intervention in prison. Until recently, no systematic research had been undertaken in Australia to assess the effectiveness of a yoga program, or consider the challenges of implementation. In 2017, the authors, in partnership with Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Corrective Services and the Yoga Foundation, introduced a pilot yoga program at the Alexander Maconochie Centre in the ACT. This paper draws on comments from the prisoners who participated in the program and the yoga teacher, as well as the perspectives of a prison psychologist and the lead author, both of whom also participated in the program. The paper reflects on the lessons learnt from developing and delivering a prison yoga program and advocates for the expansion of such programs in Australian prisons.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)47-61
    Number of pages15
    JournalInternational Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy
    Volume8
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2019

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