Q: Complete the body practices starting on pg. 141, which are written within Chapter 10. Which practices do not seem appropriate for a correctional setting?
Appropriate: Humming/buzzing/Belly breathing/slow rocking/20's/ Breathe, Ground, Resource. I think all of these are really great and safe practices for incarcerated individuals.
Inappropriate: Rubbing belly/OM-ing/singing aloud/chanting/ Touching discomfort. I think these may seem less appropriate because things like OM/Chanting/singing may not be aloud due to noise ordinances in the establishment. loud sounds can be triggering and those can be seen as "religious" based and not as inviting to those who have their own religion, no denomination or are still figuring it out. The belly rubbing or touching the discomfort could potentially be very triggering or uncomfortable for inmates as well.
Q. Complete the body practices starting on pg. 155, which are written within Chapter 11. How might they be utilized in a correctional setting?
I love all of the body practices in chapter 11. I think these would be great centering or closing practices. i think these would also be great to expand upon in class to help the inmates learn to check in with their mental and physical well being and de-escalate their nervous systems.
Q: Complete the body practices starting on pg. 141, which are written within Chapter 10. Which practices do not seem appropriate for a correctional setting?
Humming: felt focused, ease of mind, calm and relaxed
Belly breathing: felt calm and relaxed, felt like I could nap afterwards
Buzzing: very calming, felt like I could stay in a meditative position for some time
Slow rocking: felt more relaxed rocking head side to side and rocking back and forth. Felt more energized rocking whole body side to side.
Rubbing belly: preferred rubbing my solar plexus area, felt soothing.
20’s: enjoyed this practice, felt very releasing
OM-ing: felt very meditative, felt my body vibrate
Singing: gave myself goosebumps, felt enlivened
Chanting: Felt a settling in my body
Wouldn’t be appropriate to rub your belly without clothes on in certain circumstances and depending on the rules in the facility. May also not be appropriate to suggest the breath, ground and resource exercise because not everyone may feel like they have someone in their life that they feel safe around. It might also not be appropriate with touching your discomfort since many people who are incarceration are experiencing new forms of trauma and tension daily and may be too much to handle in that type of environment.
- Complete the body practices starting on pg. 155, which are written within Chapter 11. How might they be utilized in a correctional setting?
Body scan could be a good practice. I’ve done these before and the teacher had me lay down and I felt that it was still effective even tho it wasn’t mentioned in the book. You could guide this in savasana and if effective those who liked it could do it before they go to sleep or they could do this in their bunk since you don’t need lots of space. Same with squeeze and hold it can be done anywhere. In the yoga classes I teach I’ll often have people rub their hands or feet and this is similar to the soothing your hands exercise. They could use lotion if they have any available but again I’ve done with without and had others who enjoyed it just as much.
Question: Complete the body practices starting on pg. 141, which are written within Chapter 10. Which practices do not seem appropriate for a correctional setting? In my experience, it would depend on those in charge at the facility. Also, depending on the individual, the facilitator of these body practices may need to modify or drop entirely. By the way, these body practices are a joy to do and such a great reminder of what's available to us and the amazing vessel we have.
Question: Complete the body practices starting on pg. 155, which are written within Chapter 11. How might they be utilized in a correctional setting? Depending on the facility and individuals, these practices offer a lot of self-care. Coming into the Room: for those in a correctional setting, this can offer a pleasant alternative vision or headspace like a nature setting or an eventual return to their home and community. Body Scan: this can help individuals in a correctional facility, manage and cope with pain that they may not have quick access to medical care or preventative care (not talking about severe injuries or medical situation, of course). This can be their start to more physical activity as well or afterwards as part of a cool down. Finger Balance: great focus exercises for individuals in a stressful setting that are confined and could use quick options to cope. Soothing Hands: reconnecting individuals, peacefully, to their hands which may have experience or even dealt out trauma. Preparing our hands to connect instead of disconnect.
Q: Complete the body practices starting on pg. 141, which are written within Chapter 10. Which practices do not seem appropriate for a correctional setting?
I believe that all the practices proposed can be adapted to be used by people deprived of their liberty. Perhaps naked belly rubs may be inappropriate, but could be suggested at a time when the incarcerated person feels it is appropriate or safe.
Q. Complete the body practices starting on pg. 155, which are written within Chapter 11. How might they be utilized in a correctional setting?
It seems to me that the practices can be used by incarcerated people, with some exceptions such as purchasing the balancing bird. Now, after the breathing and grounding practices, there are some recommendations about sleep, nutrition, hydration and other elements that can enrich a growth routine, which are not available to incarcerated people. In that sense, focusing on what is possible, breathing, grounding exercises and making adjustments to the practices that are viable will provide more tools to people deprived of liberty.
Q: Complete the body practices starting on pg. 141, which are written within Chapter 10. Which practices do not seem appropriate for a correctional setting?
While practicing the humming exercise, i noticed myself becoming emotionally regulated and calm. I could feel my shoulders drop and my heart rate slow. In practicingt the other techniques i experienced a similar sensation of calm. In regards to practicing these in the correction setting, i am sure that the louder singing and chanting exercises would be less welcomes, however, the humming and breathing techniques would be easy to practice.
Q. Complete the body practices starting on pg. 155, which are written within Chapter 11. How might they be utilized in a correctional setting?
These all can be utilized in the correction setting and are very beneficial to regulate emotions. Visual imagery and guided visualizations help to bring a sense of calm and peace to us, allowing us to reset our nervous system and slow down before acting or reacting.
Gentle quiet humming would be ok, belly breathing, 20s would be ok. It is hard to regulate for safety in an u safe environment
1. I loved reading through these old responses regarding the different breathwork practices. I find that some of the practices in this chapter I love and others, not so much. I know that this will be true to anyone. Therefore, when I think about introducing these practices in a facility, I would do so with a few things in mind. First, what is the level of comfortability and trust in the group? Some of these practices can feel uncomfortable or silly when you initially try them so I would want to ensure that a strong level of trust is present. Additionally, some of these practices will likely never be appropriate in a prison setting or without the presence of a mental health professional. I would be most inclined to guide participants through belly breathing and buzzing breath. For me personally though, I love chanting om. I feel so calm after just a few rounds of om. I also love connecting my touch to body when I feel something in that area. It has really helped me to learn where I feel things in my body. It is often in my chest so rubbing of the breast bone always feels comforting to me.
2. The practice of thinking of a place, person, or animal that you love is a wonderful practice that can be done anywhere. This is something that I do to ground myself at times. I find that I think of something different each time that I have engaged in this practice throughout reading the book. However, each time, it is what I need in that moment. I would love to bring this practice into a facility because it is a practical tool that can be done anywhere and at anytime.
Q: Complete the body practices starting on pg. 141, which are written within Chapter 10. Which practices do not seem appropriate for a correctional setting?
Ok so as read on the comments the Touching your discomfort, balancing bird and oil/lotion practices are out, but I do consider the soothing practice of the chant or sound vibrations to be a really good experience to focus on your breathing, sometimes the noise becomes an anchor for the breathing technique to go an extra level and helps to not let the mind wander, so it doesn't need to be presented with a religious context it can only be a sound to help you get to a rhythm instead on counting, I personally think that practicing meditation surrounded by noise helps you find the way to connect faster with your inner self, if you can access your relaxation beside the noise you have a better practice and it is important to not let the outside take away from your experience.
Q. Complete the body practices starting on pg. 155, which are written within Chapter 11. How might they be utilized in a correctional setting?
I also agree that everything can be adapted to be correctional friendly, but even thought we could find the way to get approved by the facility to get oil/lotion, I think is safer if we keep it simple and more accessible for the participants, other important point is to not go against TIY so if it is to risky, triggering, dangerous or can contradict the program it will be better to discard it in my opinion.
Chapter 10-11 Soul Nerve
Calming
Settling vs. Healing
Sense of Belonging
Noted from Chapter 10: explored the concept of responsibility through the lens of the soul nerve, also known as the vagus nerve. The author described an ancient, inherited sensation that something terrible is about to happen, which can be felt throughout the body. Tools such as rocking, humming, or engaging in sacred rituals and purposeful movement can help manage this sensation.
The soul nerve is described as a unifying organ of the entire nervous system. It communicates between our vibes and bodily sensations, reaching into every part of the body as part of the autonomic nervous system. This explains why so much is sensed in the belly, including gut feelings of rightness or wrongness. The soul nerve connects to the lizard brain and brainstem and was first identified in 1921.
In the body, the soul nerve is experienced through emotions such as love, fear, hope, empathy, and despair. The voice may catch, the body may brace, and sensations like anxiety, heart closing, or a “souring spirit” reflect the soul nerve at work. It is also central to the fight, freeze, or flee response, receiving and spreading messages of danger throughout the body. It helps regulate breathing, manage fear, and shapes how the body forms memories. During these intense survival responses, the capacity for rational thought is essentially zero. I feel like what stood out to me was this nerve gives one a sense of belonging. And how when we work on our own sense of belonging and focus internally the barriers can be accessed and broken up.
Q: Complete the body practices starting on pg. 141, which are written within Chapter 10. Which practices do not seem appropriate for a correctional setting?
Some of my experiences from these body practices. I feel like I would need to experience the energy of a room before attempting any of these practices. The one that stands out as possibly being a bit more triggering is the one the author describes as:
-Identify a painful but not traumatic incident from past/focus on painful aspect and notice emotions and feelings in the body/practice breathing and noticing then let go of incident from past and return to here and now.
The option above seems possibly counter-productive for certain populations as it may not feel safe in community for everyone.
Practices and observations for me personally:
Body and Breath
-humming-center of belly behind the belly (I felt it in my eyes and throat, like they were tearing up without emotion, felt settling)
-Belly Breathing
Ballooning belly out felt like it created space in my heart center
-buzzing
Connection to my shoulders and release
-rocking
Connection to unifying all my energy centers from top to bottom spiral it moved me inward and conneted me to my breath
-rubbing your belly
Got more in touch with all my energy centers
-rubbing my solar plexus brings energy into my body. Like I get in touch with keeping my power and not leaking energy
-vibration of OM
Seems to connect me to the backside of my body and settles my energy in my body
I agree with the others, that the practices that are audible may be challenging given the carceral setting. I do think that the 20s and body scans could be implemented relatively safely and easily.