This past winter, a colleague and I began a grand experiment – to design and co-facilitate a drumming & mindfulness practice program for 20 women prisoners incarcerated at the Chittenden Correctional Facility.
Walking Meditation
By barliquin
Vermont Works for Women, with some generous private funding, gave us its blessing and guidance to make the pilot project happen.
If you recall, the aim was to teach band drum-line techniques and mindfulness exercises over 16 weeks to reduce stress and anxiety in some of the most challenging inmates.
The women participants, or as they named their band – ONE SOUND, ONE SOUL – graduated from the program this past May.
Here’s a recap of their inspiring progress in my Vermont Public Radio commentary that aired just this morning. Enjoy the listen!
“…the well-matched combination of drumming to release stress and meditation to reestablish balance… I also discovered the inmates with serious mental health challenges seemed to make the greatest progress, and I’m still not sure why.” A healthy alternative to stress reduction and a healthy connection to others and the self. Great work.
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Thanks for your comments! The writing community we have built inside is having spill-over impact on other activities, especially concerning respectful interaction and community-building. So exciting to witness.
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