Mandela Yoga: a community case study for a post-incarceration reentry service for men of color in recovery.
Frontiers in public health January 1, 2025 Richa Gawande, Felipe Kalatauma Rosario, Carlos Santiago et al. 1 citation
A community-based peer-led mindfulness intervention called Mandela Yoga, co-developed by Black and Brown yoga teachers, therapists, and community leaders with lived experience of recovery, incarceration, chronic illness, and racism, was implemented as part of a Federally Qualified Health Center reentry program for men of color recently released from incarceration. A qualitative analysis of a 12-week implementation documented attendance and conducted interviews with the peer facilitator and one participant. Four key themes emerged: breath and mind-body connection leading to presence; consistency; peer connection; and agency and positive action. Mandela Yoga shows promise as a mind-body-community intervention for communities of color in recovery and post-incarceration.