Vermont Public Radio commentary

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!

A very Happy New Year to all of our dedicated blog readers! Generous thanks for receiving the words (and ‘seeing’ in new ways) Vermont’s incarcerated women.

Courtesy of VPR

Despite their crimes, mental health issues and deep-seated unworthiness, each ‘inside’ woman yearns for a sense of dignity and respect (as we all do, right?!).

Here’s a commentary entitled “One Dignified Moment” that aired on Vermont Public Radio yesterday on New Years Day. (Click the link, then “Listen”)

It captures the deep yearning of one 20-something incarcerated woman for a fresh reality in her life.

Enjoy … and keep on reading and listening!