Youth Programs

Half of our programs are for young people under 25. Our youth programs aim to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline and reduce the likelihood of future adult incarceration. We take a practical, resilience-building approach, focused on building inner strength and connection. 

Most youth behind bars suffer from chronic and complex trauma, stemming from early adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Because trauma lives in the body, it can only be addressed and integrated if the body is a central part of treatment and recovery. This is why our trauma-sensitive yoga and meditation programs are so effective.

Adult Programs

Since 2008, we have equipped thousands of incarcerated adults with the tools to break the trauma-stress-prison cycle. Using our specialized curriculum, YBB programs focus on restorative practices that facilitate nervous system regulation, stress management, and resilience. Our approach to compassionate rehabilitative programming is intended to shift the culture in prison from punishment to healing, harm to transformation, and recidivism to reintegration.

 Yoga Teacher Training for Incarcerated People

At YBB, we strongly believe in cultivating compassionate leadership behind bars. Our students know better than anyone what is needed to transform the prison system and ultimately prevent people from returning (or going to prison in the first place). That’s why we train incarcerated people to become yoga instructors. In 2015, our first Yoga Teacher Training Behind Bars was one of the first of its kind in the country. Thanks to our efforts, seven incarcerated men are currently offering nine weekly yoga classes at four different Washington state prisons. In 2018, graduates from the training at the women’s prison started teaching yoga and meditation at Washington Corrections Center for Women.