Awareness ("witness") practice - non-judgmental observation of one's state in the present moment. "Yoga strengthens the muscle of awareness" --Bill Brown, C-IAYT, Exec. Director of Prison Yoga Project.
“Witness Practice is … designed intentionally to bring attention to how the body is feeling. It enables us to attend to whatever is happening ...”

Guide class through awareness practice at the beginning of class (maybe after a little movement, depending on the energy in the room) and again near the end of class. Suggest they notice any differences, and report/share if they want to.
Observe anything notable or anything that changes from a ‘usual’ class experience.

Detention center class - 1-5 (usually) females age 21-50, various states of body and mind, some with serious mental health issues, all physically cleared for practice. AND/OR
1-10 males age 21-55, various states of body and mind, usually a more homogeneous class than the females, often athletic, often inflexible bodies; occasional obvious mental health issues, all physically cleared for practice

I envisioned taking a few moments at the beginning and end of class to guide them through a brief awareness practice, reminding them to only observe, without judging or trying to change anything, and reminding them that yoga strengthens the muscle of awareness and this requires practice and observation.

Jnana yoga supports this goal through the practice of discernment by looking at different aspects of the present moment. We must become aware of what is present and then it is possible to work with that observation to discern what is real/unreal, self/non-self, permanent/passing. These observations, combined with discernment, can bring about greater emotional and behavioral regulation, better decision making, and peace.

Week 1: Females’ class: participants were willing and appeared to take some time to observe, closing down their eyes for a few moments at a time. At the end of class there was some brief feedback of noticing more ‘calm’.
Males’ class: There were new participants present and they were not able to quiet their minds or bodies this week. They participated in movement and conversation. We’ll try again next week.
Week 2: No females’ class.
Males’ class: Participants were able to quiet for a brief check in after some movement and stretching (and encouragement). There were brief comments after the end of class awareness practice that they felt calmer.
Week 3: No females’ class.
Males’ class: Participants were able to quiet for a brief check in after some movement and stretching (and encouragement). There were brief comments after the end of class awareness practice that they felt calmer.

“This is something you can do anywhere, at any time. No one knows you are checking in with your body and breath. Begin to notice what you feel, and where you feel it.”

I attempted to apply the plan. I have no control over who shows up and how they show up. I did apply the plan each time that I was able to.
As the “goal” is to strengthen awareness (every class), then presenting another tool for that and demonstrating how it can be used is achieving the goal.
This week there was an officer who reported that the participants have told him how much calmer they feel and that he should try yoga.

Adapting is a constant state in the jail classes - as in many classes. Before “week 1” I had a group that probably would have been “easier” to work with this exercise/practice. But it was good to have it *not* work out one week, to have only one class show up the following weeks, so I could have more practice adapting and adjusting.

I would approach it in the same way - I need to read the room every single time. What I’d like to do is to offer this practice more, and make it #1 my own and #2 a habit, a regular part of practice that the participants will come to expect and be able to practice on their own.