It’s a yoga class without mats, blocks, straps, bolsters, tight leggings, sports bras and energy bars. It’s literally just people doing yoga, as organic as it gets.

Never before have I taught yoga in such an environment – the room at the Phuket Provincial Prison, where we practise, is a sleeping hall; in it – 80 female prisoners, each with less than an arm’s-length of space available. Clearly, they can’t all do the downward dog at the same time. Although they aren’t shackled, space is extremely limited and therefore – precious. It’s all they have, all they have been given, and they can’t escape it – bars and walls separate them from freedom.

*Female prisoners in Phuket practice standing forward bend (Uttanasan). *

My idea for this two-hour session was to teach them some basic, slow-paced asanas, hoping to create more space in the only place they truly own – their minds. I failed completely. These women overflow with restless energy; their bodies and minds loud and busy. The rattle of a chainsaw, abrupt announcements, and alarms from the outside don’t help either. A calm, therapeutic and meditative way of practice is not fitting for this class.

I decided to try something different and partner them up to make the exercise more fun. This approach worked and released them from their prison reality – if only for a moment. The power of touch, trust and connection with others also helped cultivate self-awareness and the presence of another. This, I believe, will improve levels of cooperation and heighten healthy relationships, once they re-enter into the community.

Partner yoga is being employed in this class.

Challenging? Yes. Rewarding? Very! My instructions, improvisations, cueing and assistance become much more refined, as I have to pay extra attention, become more flexible and creative. My job is not putting these women’s bodies into preconceived yoga poses, but to listen to what they actually want to gain from this practice.

At the end of the session, corpse pose (Shavasan) is practiced to experience total relaxation.

‘Why teach these people yoga?’, ‘Should criminals deserve punishment or empathy?’ some ask me. These questions comment on the true essence of yoga and the art of living – the values of loving kindness and compassion. Not hatred, but hope and healing will give rise to major shifts. As we sow the positive seeds, they will sprout and grow, and we all will reap.

Featured on: Real Life Phuket