Yoga's lessons on living a good healthy life may help prisoners.
One of the biggest problems facing the American criminal justice system is prison overcrowding. In 1994, one study found that among 300,000 newly released adult prisoners, about two-thirds were re-arrested within three years, according to Dowser. However, one man believes that yoga can impact that recidivism rate by teaching inmates how to lead a good healthy life.
"It's so important for teaching yoga in prison to make it practical, applicable to issues that prisoners face," said James Fox, founder of the Prison Yoga Project, as quoted by Dowser. "People in prison have not learned how to manage their impulses, or in some cases their addictions to drugs or alcohol. One of the main advantages of yoga in prison is learning self-discipline. Yoga requires a great deal of self-discipline and self-control."
While Fox's classes initially had a low turnout, more and more inmates became interested in the mind-body exercise. Former prisoners now write to Fox to let him know his teachings have helped them become calm and better able to fit in with society, the news source said.
People who want to take New Mexico yoga classes can reap several physical as well as mental health benefits. These exercises may improve one's heart rate, flexibility and stress management, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
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Tags: good health, good healthy life, New Mexico yoga, New Mexico yoga classes
