Juvenile Correctional Facilities

The Art of Yoga Project Art Collage

Every year The Art of Yoga Project provides direct service to approximately 500 young women in the California juvenile justice system.

San Mateo County Juvenile Correctional Facility

The San Mateo County Juvenile Correctional Facility is utilizing the Yoga & Creative Arts Curriculum as part of the year-round school program in their gender-responsive girls program. This innovative approach helps rehabilitate girls with significant substance abuse problems, self-destructive behaviors, mental health issues, and negative peer relationships, such as gang involvement. The Art of Yoga Project teachers deliver the curriculum three days a week, offering classes for which the girls get school credit. In addition, our teachers also hold classes each week for girls remanded to the Youth Service Center.

San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center

The Art of Yoga Project delivers its program in the San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center. The Art of Yoga Project teaches year-round yoga classes, guiding the girls through the Eight Limbs of yoga with our Yoga & Creative Arts Curriculum with a focus on yoga and reflective writing.

Santa Clara Juvenile Justice Center

The Santa Clara County’s Probation Department provides a residential program that focuses on rehabilitation services to youths who are committed to the program by the juvenile court. The program focus is holistic, cognitive behavioral management with individual counseling, group counseling, family therapy, substance abuse counseling and additional programming provided by community-based organizations. The Art of Yoga Project’s long-term commitment to fostering healthy lifestyle choices for young women is already an important part of the center’s weekly program.

Quotes from Our Girls

I see myself getting out of juvenile hall. I see myself getting a diploma. — AYP Participant

I can visualizing myself graduating high school, going to college, getting my masters in law and having a steady job and a house for me and my daughter when I get out someday. — AYP Participant

To me balance means equal both ways. It also means fairness to me. — AYP Participant

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. — AYP Participant

If there is one thing that yoga does for me that is good, it's that it makes me feel. And I know I need to do that. — AYP Participant

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. — AYP Participant

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. — AYP Participant

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. — AYP Participant

When I am focused I feel relaxed. — AYP Participant

When I think of balance relationships come to my mind being 50/50 and everything is even. Meeting halfway. — AYP Participant

Balance means for me to be drama free. — AYP Participant

I tell myself to just calm down & breathe. When I’m angry I get away from everyone & be by myself until I calm down. — AYP Participant

Before class I was kinda nervous and worried but now I feel relaxed and calm. — AYP Participant

When I am focused I feel relaxed. — AYP Participant

When I’m in peace I’m with my family. When I think of water I think of swimming in the ocean with the dolphins. — AYP Participant

What is balance? Both parts are equal, one not bigger nor heavyer (sic) than the other. Both come together in peace & serenity. — AYP Participant

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. — AYP Participant

I see myself successful because I’m confident. — AYP Participant

I’m feeling relaxed. My body feels much better with all the poses we made. — AYP Participant

When I get angry I take it out on other people but I really don’t mean to. I overthink on why I am angry. Sometimes I just cry it out. I like to be by myself when I’m angry. Sometimes I just talk to my roommate. — AYP Participant

My body felt relaxed as I closed my eyes I saw yellow and green like the sun! very relaxing.“ — AYP Participant

Judges, Teachers and Staff

The mood in class dramatically shifted by the end. The class left everyone in a much more positive mood. — AYP Yoga Instructor

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. — AYP Yoga Instructor

There was the most beautiful focused Savasana imaginable, brought to you by Sarah's wonderful guided meditation. — AYP Yoga Instructor

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. — AYP Yoga Instructor

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. — Rod Moore, Probation Director, Camp Kemp

The meditation really met the girls where they needed to be supported. — AYP Yoga Instructor

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! — Marlene, former Executive Director at CYWD

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. — Mary Lynn Fitton, AYP Founder and Program Manager

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. — Lisa Politeo, Wright Center Teacher

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. — Shikha, AYP Aftercare Director