Prison Yoga Project Podcast

Don't want to meditate with us today? After the introduction, fast forward to 10:10!

Join us for an illuminating conversation with Hari-kirtana das, a seasoned yoga teacher, philosopher, and advocate for non-sectarian spirituality. Together, we’ll explore how ancient yoga philosophy provides a framework for addressing modern social and political challenges, including the separation of church and state, systemic injustice, and the role of discernment in creating equitable policies and communities.

This webinar will weave together a guided meditation, deep insights into the Bhagavad Gita, and understanding the causes and conditions we are experiencing as individuals and the collective. 

Key topics include:

• How yoga supports the cultivation of discernment and self-awareness.
• The intersection of spirituality and social justice 
• A non-sectarian approach to divinity and its relevance in secular societies.
• Practical applications of yogic philosophy in addressing systemic harm.

Bio: Hari-kirtana das is the author of two books on yoga philosophy and a frequent speaker on the relevance of yoga’s ancient wisdom to life in the modern world. He’s been practicing devotional and other yogic disciplines for over 40 years, lived in yoga ashrams and spiritual communities, and has an 800-hour yoga teacher certification from the Jivamukti Yoga School.

You can learn more about Hari-kirtana at: hari-kirtana.com/

You can download a free chapter from his book Journey Into the Bhagavad Gita here: hari-kirtana.com/free-gita-chapter/

Join us for Prison Yoga Project’s End-of-Year Webinar, a powerful hour of reflection, connection, and celebration! Dive into the impact we've made across 11 countries with over 200 programs serving individuals impacted by incarceration. From expanding trauma-informed yoga programs, to launching innovative partnerships with Edovo, this event showcases the transformative power of our mission! This absolutely not to miss.

Hear inspiring updates from many of our team members and Founding Director explore future initiatives, and celebrate milestones like our new website and Yoga Teacher Training. This is your invitation to witness the legacy of social justice in action.

Press play and be inspired!

Donate to our Mission: https://prisonyoga.kindful.com/

Facilitator Application: https://www.prisonyoga.org/becoming-a-facilitator/

PYP Merch! Facilitator Discount Code: PYPFACAPPRECIATION10

https://shop.prisonyoga.org/collections/clothing

Prison Yoga Project- Yoga Teacher Training: https://community.prisonyoga.org/courses/yoga-social-justice-and-leadership-a-200-hour-yoga-teacher-training/

All Countries Here! https://www.prisonyoga.org/locations/

“ Transformational and inspirational.” “ Wow, that was absolutely amazing and inspiring” are a few things we have heard about this week's episode so far! If you’re feeling defeated this week, this podcast might just be the healing salve you’re looking for.

During our time together, we explored the possibilities within the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) to create a justice system that centers healing and community. We had the privilege of hearing Honorable Judge Dan Healy's story of how he began and was led to study and practice law. We heard how justice can shift from a punitive approach to one focused on human connection and dignity and by rethinking decision points in the system—whether at initial hearings or through community partnerships—we uncovered ways to address the root causes of behavior, offering paths toward rehabilitation and accountability rather than punishment.

We discussed partnerships in supporting whole-person care, from mental health to housing services, and why trauma-informed practices are essential for building trust and community resilience. Judge Healy’s insights reveal how collaboration between courts, community services, and the individuals involved can lead to meaningful, long-term change.

Join us in our healing-centered movement!

Honorable Judge Dan Healy

Judge Dan Healy has served on the Solano County Superior Court bench since 2010, presiding over felony, Mental Health, and Veterans’ court calendars. His career is distinguished by his commitment to expanding treatment-based responses within the criminal justice system, including serving on several judicial education committees. Judge Healy is a board member of the California Association of Collaborative Courts and has organized presentations on integrating wellness practices like yoga and breathwork into court settings. He is currently completing a 200-hour trauma-informed yoga certification with the Prison Yoga Project. Prior to his judicial career, Judge Healy was a criminal law specialist and prominent attorney in the Bay Area for 24 years.

Links:

Prison Yoga Project Yoga Teacher Training:

https://community.prisonyoga.org/courses/yoga-social-justice-and-leadership-a-200-hour-yoga-teacher-training/

Whole Health, VA Website:

https://www.va.gov/wholehealth/

Rat Park:

https://www.ukat.co.uk/blog/medicine/what-can-the-rat-park-experiment-teach-us-about-addiction/

Intercept Model:

https://www.samhsa.gov/criminal-juvenile-justice/sim-overview

Nikki Myers- Yoga 12 step:

https://www.y12sr.com

Humane Prison Hospice Project:

https://humaneprisonhospiceproject.org/

Aging and dying in prison is a deeply underexplored issue, yet it's one that affects a growing number of incarcerated individuals. With over 186,000 people aged 55 or older currently behind bars, the U.S. prison system is struggling to meet the complex health needs of this population. By 2030, one-third of incarcerated people will be considered geriatric. In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into this important topic with two pioneers in the field, Lisa Deal and Laura Musselman of the Humane Prison Hospice Project.

Lisa and Laura share their groundbreaking work in California prisons, where they lead innovative peer caregiving programs that train incarcerated individuals to provide compassionate end-of-life care to their peers. With four thriving programs and a fifth launching soon, their work is transforming the prison environment, fostering healing and human connection in places too often defined by isolation.

Listeners will hear about:

• The accelerated aging and chronic health challenges faced by incarcerated individuals.
• A unique 80-hour peer caregiving training that addresses trauma, cultural competency, and nursing skills.
• The pressing need for compassionate release and elder parole, and efforts to create transitional housing for reentry.

Tune in to learn how Lisa and Laura are bringing dignity and humanity to some of the most vulnerable people in our prison system, and how their work is changing public perceptions of aging, dying, and caregiving in prisons.

About Our Guests:

• Lisa Deal is a dedicated healthcare professional with over 30 years of experience in nursing, public health, and end-of-life care. After starting her career as a community health nurse for AIDS patients, she went on to earn master’s degrees in public health and nursing and a doctorate in public health from Harvard University. Lisa has served in leadership roles at Mission Hospice & Home Care and is now the Executive Director of the Humane Prison Hospice Project, where she combines her expertise and compassion to provide dignified end-of-life care for incarcerated individuals.
• Laura Musselman transitioned from her role as a college philosophy instructor to pursue end-of-life care after losing both of her parents. She trained as an end-of-life doula with the International End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA) and began volunteering at Hinds Hospice in Fresno, California. Laura now serves with the Humane Prison Hospice Project, where she combines her background in ethics and her passion for accessible, compassionate end-of-life care to support incarcerated individuals. She also trains other volunteers, ensuring that those dying in prison receive the dignity and support they deserve.

Links:

https://humaneprisonhospiceproject.org/

https://humaneprisonhospiceproject.org/donate/

www.prisonyoga.org

Don't want to meditate with us today? Listen to the intro + join us at 7:02

Join us for an insightful conversation with Shawandra Ford, a seasoned yoga instructor whose journey has been shaped by personal healing, community engagement, and a deep desire to make yoga accessible to all who need it. Shawandra will share her inspiring story of discovering yoga after grief and loss and how this practice transformed her life. From schools to juvenile detention centers, she has worked to bring the healing power of yoga to historically marginalized communities, demonstrating the profound impact it can have on both youth and adults alike.

Through her unique teaching style that embraces her authenticity, Shawandra is breaking down barriers, creating spaces for intergenerational healing, and showing that yoga is for everyone. Whether you're curious about how to get involved or simply want to hear about the impact yoga can have on communities, this conversation will leave you inspired and empowered to look at yoga as a tool for personal and collective transformation.

• Personal Healing Through Yoga: How yoga has been a transformative tool for navigating grief, stress, and personal challenges.
• Community Engagement and Social Impact: The role of yoga in historically marginalized communities, schools, and correctional facilities, and the importance of creating buy-in.
• Intergenerational Wellness: How yoga can bridge gaps in health and emotional well-being across generations.

Please connect with Shawandra Ford:

https://brwnsknyoga.com/

Grief, Loss, and Systemic Change with Joyal Mulheron

Don't want to meditate with us today? Fast forward to 6:35.

In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Joyal Mulheron, founder of Evermore, to explore the profound impact of grief and bereavement on families and communities. Together, we discuss how society, institutions, and systems often fail to support those who are grieving, and what needs to change to ensure that bereaved individuals receive the care and recognition they deserve.

Joyal shares her personal journey and the driving force behind Evermore's mission to advocate for systemic changes that prioritize the emotional and psychological needs of grieving families. We delve into policy initiatives, the gaps in bereavement support, and how we can work together to create a more compassionate, inclusive system.

Whether you’ve experienced loss yourself or are looking to better understand how to support others through grief, this episode offers meaningful insights and a call to action for change.

Tune in to learn more about the importance of community, policy reform, and the power of human connection in the face of grief.

https://evermore.org/

Don't want to meditate with us today? Fast forward to 9:44

In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Jacqueline Crockford, DHSc, a seasoned facilitator with the Prison Yoga Project (PYP), who has been working at Richard J. Donovan (RJD) Correctional Facility and the Las Colinas Detention Center for women for over seven years. Jacqueline shared her inspiring journey into yoga and what led her to become a part of the Prison Yoga Project. We delved into the valuable lessons she’s learned from working with incarcerated individuals, both men and women, and how her initial expectations evolved over time as she deepened her understanding of trauma-informed yoga. Jacqueline also discussed the significant impact this work has had on her approach to fitness and mental health.

Hosted by Bill Brown, PYP’s Director of Programming, Publishing, and Advocacy—and Jacqueline’s long-time co-facilitator at RJD—this episode provides a rich exploration of the intersection of yoga, trauma, and the unique challenges of teaching in correctional settings. If you're interested in the transformative power of yoga and its role in supporting mental health within the criminal justice system, this conversation is not to be missed.

About Jacqueline Crockford, DHSc

Jacque Crockford, DHSc, is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Health Coach. She has been a personal trainer and performance coach for 20 years. Jacque grew up in the fitness industry, participating in YMCA sports and teaching gymnastics and swimming from a young age. She was on Kansas State University’s women’s rowing team, and is a three-time Ironman triathlon finisher. Jacque’s professional trajectory has evolved to include content production, product management, with a specialty in adult online education. She has been featured in several publications as an fitness and wellness expert, including the LA Times, New York Post, Health, USA Triathlon, Shape, and Women’s Health. Her journey to yoga began with a desire to improve mobility and reduce stress for athletic performance and has evolved to understanding the broader benefits as it relates to trauma. She began facilitating yoga inside correctional facilities in 2017 with Prison Yoga Project. 

Join us for the next installment of Prison Yoga Project’s webinar series, “Taking Money Out of Justice: The Bail Project and the Fight to End Cash Bail,” where we will explore the critical work of The Bail Project in addressing the injustices of the cash bail system.

The Bail Project provides free bail assistance to individuals, helping them return to court and access supportive services while awaiting trial. From 2018 to 2023, they have assisted over 30,000 people, saved taxpayers $92 million, and maintained a 92% court appearance rate.

The cash bail system in America creates a profound disparity in the justice system, disproportionately affecting low-income individuals and communities of color. Under this system, individuals who cannot afford to pay bail are forced to remain in jail while awaiting trial, often leading to loss of employment, housing, and even custody of children. This system perpetuates a cycle of poverty and criminalization, as many feel pressured to plead guilty, regardless of their innocence, just to regain their freedom. The Bail Project aims to dismantle this inequitable practice by providing free bail assistance and advocating for systemic reforms to ensure a fairer, more just legal process for all.

Joining us are CEO David Gaspar and Director of Communications and Publication, Jeremy Cherson. As Chief Executive Officer, David Gaspar leads the strategic planning, organizational management, programmatic development, external affairs, and fundraising activities for The Bail Project. A formerly incarcerated individual directly affected by the cash bail system, David earned his GED and bachelor’s degree, studied law while in prison, won his appeal, and was released 11 years early. His journey fuels his passion for justice reform and commitment to social justice, dedicating his time to mentoring young people and facilitating re-entry for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Jeremy Cherson directs the organization’s communications, earned media, public relations, internal communications, and publications strategies. With over fifteen years of experience in criminal justice reform, community-based research, and government operations, Jeremy has been instrumental in developing The Bail Project’s policy team and overseeing numerous advocacy campaigns. His prior work with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice included leading major initiatives such as the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety and the DOJ-funded Smart Defense Initiative.

Don't want to meditate with us today? Start the episode at 7:40

Resources and Links

https://bailproject.org/

https://bailproject.org/news/

https://bailproject.org/category/press/

https://bailproject.org/learn/after-cash-bail/

Have you wanted to learn about transformative programming around the world? Listen to this inspiring conversation, where we’ll journey alongside Gillian, a chaplain-in-training working in Ireland’s prison system. We dive into chaplaincy, yoga, and transitions as Gillian shares unique steps Ireland takes to support people transitioning back into society after incarceration. Discover how holistic practices positively impact lives, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

Gillian Hick, RYT 200, has been facilitating trauma-informed yoga in Co. Wicklow in Ireland since 2019, having attended the PYP training in London in 2018. She has been working as a veterinary surgeon for the past 25 years and is currently training to become a prison Chaplain.

Facilitator Form: 

https://prisonyoga.org/becoming-a-facilitator/

Foundational Training: 

https://community.prisonyoga.org/courses/incarceration-trauma-and-yoga/

Gillian Hick Bio:

Gillian Hick, RYT 200, has been facilitating trauma-informed yoga in Ireland since 2019, having attended the PYP training in London in 2018. She has been working as a veterinary surgeon for the past 25 years and is currently training to become a prison Chaplain.

In this episode, we explored powerful aspects of personal growth, healing, and emotional resilience, guided by Sunil Joseph. Drawing upon years of experience and the principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Sunil shared stories and insights that shed light on the transformative power of empathy and self-discovery.

As we delved into the transformative power of empathy and emotional connection, we uncovered how it bridged gaps and fosters a healing and growth-inducing environment. We explored the significance of creating brave, empathetic spaces for emotional expression, a practice that facilitated healing on both individual and collective levels.

Sunil is a certified GRIP facilitator actively involved in teaching a restorative justice-based healing and accountability program within California's prison system. He is also engaged in developing remote learning courses for incarcerated individuals through the Buddhist Prison Ministry. Sunil's journey has led him to instruct Nonviolent Communication (NVC) to diverse groups, including incarcerated people at San Quentin prison.

In 2021, Sunil achieved certification as a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher after completing a comprehensive 2-year program led by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. Additionally, he holds the honor of graduating from BayNVC's 1-year NVC Leadership Program in 2008.

Sunil is actively dedicated to his own psychospiritual development as a student of the Ridhwan school for over 10 years. He deeply appreciates the wisdom shared by remarkable teachers and teachings, which have enriched his life in countless ways. Sunil wholeheartedly embraces opportunities to support others on their personal journey toward fulfillment and well-being.

Beautiful article about different types of service:

https://www.mentalhealthsf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/HelpingFixingServing-by-Rachel-Remen.pdf

Generous Listening:

https://youtu.be/UdhP6sR5uvk?si=LZwX63JJkgRW2MXs

GRIP

https://grip-traininginstitute.org

My website: 

https://myempathycoach.com