Dharma Prison Teaching and Women Inmates

Namaste PDN Yogis.

You were so very helpful in commenting on  my previous blogs that I thought I might ask for you help once again. I have been asked to add women inmates to my meditation teaching schedule at our regional correctional facility. I am sure that women inmates  have some additional concerns that will come up during the teachings (family issues, time away from children etc) but I would very much appreciate hearing from those of you with some experience offering these precious teachings to women inmates. Any insights and/or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. May you all be well, happy and peaceful. 

 Floyd

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Comment by Floyd Fantelli on November 30, 2011 at 12:49pm

Thank you so very much Maggie for your insightful and practical suggestions. THis is so very much appreciated. I will incorporate you ideas into my teaching.  I will keep in touch. Peaceful abiding. Floyd

Comment by Maggie Hostetler on November 30, 2011 at 10:24am

Dear Floyd,

I have been teaching meditation to women at a state prison near Ann Arbor Michigan for the last three years. In addition to the issues that you have mentioned, the issue of childhood abuse of one kind or another is quite prevalent--also substance abuse issues are front and center. 

I have centered my teaching around techniques that provide the women immediate relief from some of the hardships of prison life. The first two weeks I teach relaxation techniques such as breathe-in--relax; body scan; sound meditation; and visual blank screen. The next two weeks we focus on nurture positive techniques such as loving kindness, tonglen, positive mantras etc. The final two weeks I teach handling emotions with vipassana techniques developed by Shinzen Young that emphasize observation of Feel, Image, Talk sensory experiences. I start each class with a guided meditation of 15 -25 minutes giving the students a chance to experience long meditation sessions without having to build up discipline. The students have responded very well to this approach. I am always looking for ways to improve my teaching and would welcome any ideas you have also. We have also done laughter yoga--most recently led by one of the women--very well received.

I have asked the women for feedback--and in addition to the techniques I already teach they have asked for movement such as tai chi and chanting. 

I would love to keep in touch as you develop your program. I'm always looking for new ideas.

With metta, Maggie Hostetler

 

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