Seattle PrisonSMART Report to the Community

Updating you on the inspiring work of the local IAHV (www.iahv.org) volunteers at Seattle Jail - since last August 2010.

During this past half a year our local PrisonSMART (www.prisonsmart.org) team taught seven courses for the total of 115 participants (minimal security men). We are on the Jail's regular schedule, and are now allowed to have up to 20 participants in the room (as opposed to 12 when we first started there in the August of 2009 -- more than any other volunteer organization at KCCF, including other yoga programs!).

The inmate population in the Jail is quite transient with participants being often moved to different floors, pulled out of class for lawyer, doctor, and family visits, court appearance, and chores. Commitment is also a big challenge for these people, as you can imagine -- especially, if a big football game, etc. is coming up on TV. Still, in spite of all these challenges we had 59 people successfully completing all three days of the course. There has been 2-6 repeaters at every course, two men even went through the course five times!

What they said recently: "Wow, I never experienced such peace of mind ever, at least since I got incarcerated!" "This is the most profound experience in all my life!" "I am so-o grateful..." "Incredible: I've been sleeping all night through!" "I never got in a fight for the last half a year -- since I started taking this course..." "Everything -- this whole room looks -- very BRIGHT now!" The participants generally report better sleep patterns, improved health, relaxation, getting a new perspective on life, an appreciation of the value of selfless service to others and commitment, awareness of the importance of breath in keeping mind centered and alert. The staff and inmates at KCCF continuously express appreciation and gratitude for our service. It is tremendously inspiring, and keeps us looking forward to every new day of the course -- in the stuffy cement box with painted over windows and constantly barking intercom, called "community room"!

We, the volunteers for PrisonSMART, feel that we all benefit enormously from teaching and facilitating this program, too! It made us much stronger, more confident, truly joyous, and living with more awareness the knowledge points taught in the Art of Living course. We believe that a stress-free violence- free society can be a reality with all of us joining hands!

Thank you for all your support and prayers. If you feel moved to give a tax deductable donation to PrisonSMART, please do so by going to www.prisonsmart.org. Please check with your company if you can donate your volunteer hours or match the funds that you donate. We are proud to let you know that all Seattle PrisonSMART volunteer expenses are covered through the constant fundraising efforts that we do and thanks to your generosity. Again, your support is needed and much appreciated.