Living with Balance and Stability

By Andre Williams, Participant in the PYP Sangha at California Men’s Colony

My name is Andre Williams. I am 56 years of age and a lifer. I have been practicing yoga here at the California Men’s Colony for well over a year. I have been blessed to learn from the amazing yoga instructors, Stephanie, Mary, and Mark. I would like to share my personal experience and growth since learning the principles of mindfulness and how to have healthier connections with self and others.

Yoga has provided me with an opportunity to increase my self-awareness and impulse control. This inspires and motivates me to face each day with a positive, powerful, and productive mindset. Practicing yoga helps me to learn that there are areas in my relationships with others that require self-regulation and effective stress management. From this mindset, I can continue to apply more helpful coping skills and stress-reducing strategies. For example, box breathing, alternate nostril breathing, mountain pose, child’s pose, low cobra, or just mindfully visualizing any of the yoga poses I am learning. There are even moments when I am able to say, “namaste,” and I experience a deeper connection with all things. This is my way of being at peace and living in harmony with mind, body, and spirit.

Yoga teaches me how to communicate more respectfully, assertively, compassionately, patiently, non-violently, empathetically, effectively, and mindfully. Using these communication skills to deliver the information I have internalized as a result of my yoga practice assists me in being realistic about my intentions for being of service and contributing to the community in a more positive, productive, and purposeful way. This enhances my confidence in my ability to cultivate meaningful motivations as I continue on this journey of being a positive role model for others.

Today, I am experiencing the inspirational benefits of applying the principles of yoga to all of my relationships. I am witnessing the way others who have challenges managing strong negative emotions, after connecting with me, now move forward in a peaceful and positive manner. As I continue to hold this empowering space for others, I recognize that “I can” do better when I choose to put my positive energy and best efforts into my actions.

I will continue to demonstrate to others how effective the mindfulness of yoga is, focusing on adopting new principles, challenging old beliefs, and cultivating healthy, loving, and sustainable relationships. As I align my values with these new principles and beliefs, I am creating healthier habits that will contribute to my remaining open-minded, teachable, and optimistic about the learning process and knowing how valuable I am to myself and others. During self-discovery, yoga provides a space for me to experience clarity, safety, and unity. These experiences offer ongoing support to authentically have peaceful interactions with all human beings, as a human being.