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?
We’re now expanding north to teach Saturday classes at Corcoran State Prison (time TBD). If you’re a certified yoga instructor and interested in learning more about our work:
1. Contact us and someone will get back to you.
2. Attend a 5-hour intensive Zoom training at a cost of $100. The next training is Sunday, April 23 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. PST.
3. Apply for clearance to the facility you wish to teach at; assistance is given along the way.
4. Once cleared, shadow a senior instructor a minimum of two times before teaching solo. There are no commitment requirements, some people teach once a month, others once every two months.
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.
Your kindness matters. Thank you.
Ready to Make a Change?
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