Frequently Asked Questions

Being incarcerated, doing yoga is the only time I feel like a real person.
– Rachel, serving 3 years in county jail

What is the process to join the PY+M team?
- Contact us and someone will get back to you.
- Attend five-hour PY+M Zoom intensive training.
- Apply to the facilities that you wish to teach (you will be given assistance along the way).
- Attend the facilities’ orientations.
- Attend and observe two classes in a prison or jail with a senior instructor.
- Teach twice under the supervision of a senior instructor.
- After teaching on your own 5 times, you will receive your PY+M certification.
What is the process to join the PY+M team?
- Contact us and someone will get back to you.
- Attend five-hour PY+M Zoom intensive training.
- Apply to the facilities that you wish to teach (you will be given assistance along the way).
- Attend the facilities’ orientations.
- Attend and observe two classes in a prison or jail with a senior instructor.
- Teach twice under the supervision of a senior instructor.
- After teaching on your own 5 times, you will receive your PY+M certification.
What is the process to join the PY+M team?
- Contact us and someone will get back to you.
- Attend five-hour PY+M Zoom intensive training.
- Apply to the facilities that you wish to teach (you will be given assistance along the way).
- Attend the facilities’ orientations.
- Attend and observe two classes in a prison or jail with a senior instructor.
- Teach twice under the supervision of a senior instructor.
- After teaching on your own 5 times, you will receive your PY+M certification.
What is PY+M training?
PY+M training pertains to our programs and how to function inside a prison/jail. We offer trainings 4 times a year and charge $150 for our training. We do not offer training in yoga.

What is the process to join the PY+M team?
- Contact us and someone will get back to you.
- Attend five-hour PY+M Zoom intensive training.
- Apply to the facilities that you wish to teach (you will be given assistance along the way).
- Attend the facilities’ orientations.
- Attend and observe two classes in a prison or jail with a senior instructor.
- Teach twice under the supervision of a senior instructor.
- After teaching on your own 5 times, you will receive your PY+M certification.
Do You Offer Trauma Informed Training?
PY+M will be offering a day-long Zoom course in Trauma-Informed Yoga Practices at a charge of $250. Please check back for dates.
How do I register for PY+M and Trauma Informed trainings?
Please contact us to be put on the training list.

What is the process to join the PY+M team?
- Contact us and someone will get back to you.
- Attend five-hour PY+M Zoom intensive training.
- Apply to the facilities that you wish to teach (you will be given assistance along the way).
- Attend the facilities’ orientations.
- Attend and observe two classes in a prison or jail with a senior instructor.
- Teach twice under the supervision of a senior instructor.
- After teaching on your own 5 times, you will receive your PY+M certification.
Do I have to be a certified yoga instructor to teach with your organization?
Not all of our instructors are certified. You must have an established dedicated yoga and/or meditation practice. The most important qualification we look for in a person is the ability to share with love, compassion and respect for other human beings.

What is the process to join the PY+M team?
- Contact us and someone will get back to you.
- Attend five-hour PY+M Zoom intensive training.
- Apply to the facilities that you wish to teach (you will be given assistance along the way).
- Attend the facilities’ orientations.
- Attend and observe two classes in a prison or jail with a senior instructor.
- Teach twice under the supervision of a senior instructor.
- After teaching on your own 5 times, you will receive your PY+M certification.
Can I get paid to teach in prison?
We are strictly volunteers.

What is the process to join the PY+M team?
- Contact us and someone will get back to you.
- Attend five-hour PY+M Zoom intensive training.
- Apply to the facilities that you wish to teach (you will be given assistance along the way).
- Attend the facilities’ orientations.
- Attend and observe two classes in a prison or jail with a senior instructor.
- Teach twice under the supervision of a senior instructor.
- After teaching on your own 5 times, you will receive your PY+M certification.
Can I just teach meditation?
You can pair up with a yoga instructor who can teach yoga and you can follow it with a meditation practice.

What is the process to join the PY+M team?
- Contact us and someone will get back to you.
- Attend five-hour PY+M Zoom intensive training.
- Apply to the facilities that you wish to teach (you will be given assistance along the way).
- Attend the facilities’ orientations.
- Attend and observe two classes in a prison or jail with a senior instructor.
- Teach twice under the supervision of a senior instructor.
- After teaching on your own 5 times, you will receive your PY+M certification.
I have a DUI and/or felony conviction. Can I become an instructor with Prison Yoga + Meditation?
Due to facility guidelines, a current conviction (within 5 years) would disqualify you from prison clearance.

What is the process to join the PY+M team?
- Contact us and someone will get back to you.
- Attend five-hour PY+M Zoom intensive training.
- Apply to the facilities that you wish to teach (you will be given assistance along the way).
- Attend the facilities’ orientations.
- Attend and observe two classes in a prison or jail with a senior instructor.
- Teach twice under the supervision of a senior instructor.
- After teaching on your own 5 times, you will receive your PY+M certification.
Does Prison Yoga + Meditation plan to expand to other cities besides LA?
We are open to exploring all venues wherever there is a certified PY+M instructor to manage the program.
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Ready to Make a Change?
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