PRESS RELEASE

The Art of Yoga Project at the San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — June 23, 2008 — It is another Sunday night on Unit 5. The 15 detained young women are in their cells reading, chatting away, or sitting silently starring off into space. They are more than eager to leave their rooms to quietly choose one of the yoga mats in the circle. Each young woman sits cross legged and breathes deeply—to center and release their fears, stress, and sadness.

Every Sunday since January, three yoga instructors from The Art of Yoga Project and the executive director of City Youth Now spend one hour with the girls on unit 5. The Yoga program commences with a check-in where each participant introduces herself and answers a guided question. The program focuses on mind and body connections, healing, intervention, building self-awareness, promoting dignity, and fostering a safe environment.

Throughout the sixty minute program, a variety of music plays in the background as all the girls participate in sun salutations, various standing and floor poses, and focused breathing. Some of the young women volunteer to lead the salutations, while others help the young women around them come into the pose. The evening program ends in savasana, relaxation pose, followed by each girl sharing their yoga experience. As noted by counselors and the girls, yoga helps the young women stay focused, reduces aggressive behavior, calms the young women making it easier for them to sleep, and promotes self-esteem on the unit. Each week more girls are interested in participating and are excited to show each of the adult mentors the poses they have been practicing throughout the week.

City Youth Now is pleased to announce that Art of Yoga Project will be expanding their role at the San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center this fall. They will be bringing the full arts and yoga curriculum to the school day at the Juvenile Justice Center and teach one or two additional yoga classes in the afternoon during the week.

About City Youth Now:
Founded in 1950, City Youth Now provides a wide range of services and support for youth in the juvenile court system-including youth in the foster care and/or delinquency systems. City Youth Now provides funds, services and programs that promote dignity, self worth and responsible growth. www.cityyouthnow.org

About The Art of Yoga Project:
The Art of Yoga Project is designed to help girls in the juvenile justice system by focusing on early intervention and preparing girls for a positive future. The mission of The Art of Yoga Project is to lead teen girls in the California juvenile justice system toward accountability to self, others and community by providing practical tools to effect behavioral change. www.theartofyogaproject.org

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Press Contact:
Brittany Heinrich
Executive Director
City Youth Now
brittany@cityyouthnow.org

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