Corrections_Today_November_December_2022_Vol.84_No.6

■ E DUCATION

Between stimulus and response lies a space. In that space lies our freedom and power to choose a response. In our response lies our growth and our happiness.” — Victor Frankl Yoga, writing and meditation, are non-pharmacologi cal interventions that provide participants with the tools to observe the space between stimuli and their response. They realize their thoughts and reactions to stimuli are not foregone conclusions, but rather a series of choices they are capable of making with intention. This mental shift can lead to a decrease in the propensity for receiving disciplinary actions. Moreover, these tools and newly es tablished neuropathways constitute life skills that are thus made available for use upon their release from prison. What do Agitated to Elevated classes consist of? Yoga There are 8 sections or “limbs” of yoga and move ments are one. While moving through each posture, one’s state vacillates among feelings of anxiety, stress, anger, sadness, calm, empowerment, relation, euphoria to name a few. Challenging postures and breathwork activate the sympathetic nervous system. During these moments participants are invited to feel the experience instead of avoiding or being numb to it. Subsequently, this gradually rewires the brain’s neural pathways to respond to stress with compassion and interest. Yoga, writing and meditation, are non-pharmacological interventions that provide participants with the tools to observe the space between stimuli and their response.

Symptoms of trauma “can be transformed by having physical experiences that directly contra dict the helplessness, rage, and collapse that are part of trauma, and thereby regain self-mastery.” — Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. Practicing Yoga can calm the body’s fight or flight mechanisms and being present can diminish the dissocia tive effects of trauma. Below are three trauma-sensitive yoga postures that can be done while standing or sitting: – Tensing and releasing the toes: This is a discrete way of engaging body awareness, improves balance, and sensation of being grounded – Pigeon pose, seated or supine: This increases flex ibility in hip flexors and outer leg muscles. – Shoulder and head rolls: This releases tension, can reduce pain in the neck and/or head and increase flexibility of the shoulders. Meditation “Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” ― Lao Tzu Meditative practices create a clearer space between ourselves and our thoughts, empowering us to respond rather than react to stimuli.

Background lotus line art: istock/ lightkitegirl

28 — November/December 2022 Corrections Today