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The mission of The Art of Yoga Project is to lead at-risk, exploited and incarcerated girls involved in the California juvenile justice system toward accountability to self, others and community by providing practical tools to effect behavioral change. Our specially-trained yoga and creative arts educators teach a proprietary, gender-responsive, evidence-based intervention program to promote girls’ self-awareness, self-respect and self-control. We serve marginalized girls in short and long-term detention and rehabilitation centers as well as in substance abuse recovery settings, agencies serving CSEC (commercially sexually exploited children), Level 14 facilities (for girls with high psychiatric needs), alternative high schools and high schools in
gang-impacted communities.
Contact: Lisa Pedersen
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The Art of Yoga Project Founder, Mary Lynn Fitton, stands in front of self-portraits painted by the girls as part of a project focusing on self-awareness. The cornerstone of AYP is our proprietary Yoga and Creative Arts Curriculum. The curriculum combines health education, character development, yoga, meditation and creative arts. Using the tools taught, the girls begin to identify the issues that cause them to make poor choices, manage their anger and impulses, and develop a productive
outlet for their emotions
and dreams.
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AYP’s Yoga & Creative Arts Curriculum uses the philosophy of the Eight Limbs of Yoga as a foundation for learning, but our approach is secular. We include class themes for living an honest, compassionate life and emphasize actions causing no harm to oneself or to others. Because this philosophy is based on seeking an inner wisdom rather than dogmatic beliefs in a specific religion, we find that it resonates with the girls by encouraging them to find their own strength within. The resulting self-awareness combined with concrete tools and life skills gives girls the foundation they need to change self-destructive behaviors into productive, healthy
life-style choices.
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- The girls work cooperatively to create the large “tree of yoga” image which incorporates the eight limbs of yoga. AYP classes combine a strengthening yoga practice with a creative art or writing activity. The combination of yoga and art were chosen as therapeutic tools because of the increased responsiveness of women and girls to these interventions. The creative process provides a vehicle for expression and a context for processing thoughts and emotions.
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- AYP classes include a strong physical yoga practice. Yoga gives the girls safe ways to push limits and test boundaries and helps balance the intense hormones and powerful emotions of adolescence. The practice grounds and centers the girls and allows them to connect with the best parts of themselves. The program builds trust in a circle of supportive peers and teachers, which is especially effective for young women with histories of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. A safe space is created where trust can be developed and authentic sharing becomes possible.
