Yoga's Healing Touch: Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois on Supporting Incarcerated Mothers
I'm very intentional in letting them know you don't have to participate for the hour if you want to just lay on your mat, because this is the only hour of the day that you have a moment to breathe.
How can yoga help incarcerated mothers heal and reconnect with their children? In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois, a professor of Criminal Justice and a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Justice Research, shares her decade-long mission to bring yoga and trauma-informed care to mothers behind bars. As a dedicated facilitator for the Prison Yoga Project, Dr. Bourgeois discusses the transformative power of yoga at Santa Maria Hostel, a treatment center in Houston, Texas.
Here, she works with justice-involved mothers to support their recovery and build life skills. Dr. Bourgeois delves into her research on the intricate relationship between parental status, race, gender, age, and arresting charges. She highlights the profound impact even a short jail stay can have on children when separated from their parents. This episode uncovers the challenges of teaching yoga in correctional facilities, emphasizing the importance of sensitive language and creating a safe space for participants. Dr.
Bourgeois passionately advocates for policy changes in the criminal justice system, arguing against a one-size-fits-all approach to punishment. She believes in recognizing the resilience of justice-involved individuals and providing them with tools for healing. Tune in to hear Dr. Bourgeois' inspiring work and learn how yoga can be a lifeline for incarcerated mothers and their families.