Why I teach yoga to inmates

I have been blessed in so many ways; some might say privileged. The color of my skin has meant that I never feared being pulled over or frisked nor was I ever incorrectly accused of stealing nor was I ever denied services at a store, a restaurant, a gas station, etc. Nobody pointed at me and called me racially inflammatory names. I never had to fight because I was a minority or looked different from others. I ran for fun and fitness, not for survival. I never had someone point a gun (or a rifle) at me. I always had a home in a relatively safe neighborhood. I had a quiet bedroom and my sleep was undisturbed. I never lived through a war and I never fought in a war; my neighborhood was never bombed. I was never tortured or forced to do something I felt was wrong. My gender has helped to ensure that I was never raped or abused. I never wanted for food or safety. I always had access to healthy food and my role models ate healthy food. Most importantly, I felt loved, cared for, and protected by all my family members.

I recognize that having these privileges is not the norm. In fact, it’s rare. I cannot be blind to the cruelty of the world. People go to prison not because they are bad people, but because they lacked the privileges that I have had. They should not be punished because of it. They should be cared for with compassion.

I teach yoga to inmates because it is a privilege to do so.