San Francisco County Juvenile Justice Center
San Mateo County Margaret J. Kemp Camp for Girls
San Mateo County Youth Services Center
Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall
Santa Clara County William F. James Ranch
From 1994 to 2003, the juvenile arrest rate for aggravated assault increased by 17% for girls and declined 15% for boys.
Among female delinquents, an estimated 70-90% have a history of sexual abuse.
Females accounted for 59% of juvenile arrests for running away and 69% of arrests for prostitution.
When I practice yoga I feel whole, I feel nothing is beyond my reach. I feel beautiful, strong and perfect, and fortunate that I am me.
I usually see things black and white. But after I do yoga I feel like a new person and I look at things in new ways. I see there is more than just yes or no, more than one choice, more than one path. I like this idea because so far the path I’ve chosen hasn’t been great. I’m ready for a new one.
I see myself getting out of juvenile hall. I see myself getting a diploma.
When I am focused I am at ease. For instance when I draw or write, I block everything out and it’s just me in a whole other world. My world. I breathe more easyer (sic) and just focus. I put my feet flat on the floor and feel the earth.
I tell myself to just calm down & breathe. When I’m angry I get away from everyone & be by myself until I calm down.
I’m feeling relaxed. My body feels much better with all the poses we made.
When I am focused I feel relaxed.
Before class I was kinda nervous and worried but now I feel relaxed and calm.
I see myself at a hospital wearing cartoon character scrubs with a badge with my name on it talking to a patient. I see myself as a nurse someday.
I do that crow pose when you put all your weight on your hands. I look at my hands then and I feel like I’m in charge. you get that feeling you can choose. That you can choose your own lifestyle, too. I want a healthy lifestyle. A safe one. A happy one.
The [AYP] staff are great. They are role-models for our staff and the girls. They are always cordial and they understand safety and security.
Today the girls taught their own yoga class. It was a great experience for me to see my students leading and supporting others. They were so engaged and conscientious. They even helped me try a new pose.
I went to Girls Court last Wednesday and realized 3 of the girls there had current yoga mentors—one of which told the judge she loved yoga, that it calmed her and made feel better. And yesterday, my own new mentee told me the same.
There was the most beautiful focused Savasana imaginable, brought to you by Sarah\’s wonderful guided meditation.
The meditation really met the girls where they needed to be supported.
It was a very productive day at the school. The girls were quick to join the circle and get ready to begin our session. They loved the art project and are really starting to open up and share more about themselves with us.
Nora led them through a beautiful practice! Starting with the breath. Some girls were on their belly some seated, all were engaged and you could see them taking deep breaths. We moved from breath work on the floor to standing side stretches and a few sun salutations and ended with some seated stretches and a peaceful savasana.
When we ended, nearly every girl said thank you for the class…it seemed the gratitude had really rubbed off by the end of class.
The mood in class dramatically shifted by the end. The class left everyone in a much more positive mood.
Thank you for the amazing work you do. And for the support you’ve provided for the young women at the center… Keep doing what you do. I just wish you all the best of luck. It’s really important work. We definitely see the benefits of having you guys here!
The Art of Yoga Project focuses on early intervention to help marginalized and justice-involved girls prepare for a positive future.
We are leaders in the treatment and rehabilitation of justice-involved girls by offering gender-responsive, trauma-informed, culturally-responsive, and strengths-based programming.
Our mission is to lead at-risk, exploited and incarcerated girls toward accountability to self, others, and community by providing practical tools to effect behavioral change. We send specially trained yoga teachers, art therapists, creative arts and writing educators into facilities to deliver our mindfulness-based curriculum.
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A special thank you to the Taproot Foundation for its help in developing this web site.
