Viniyoga® at Prison

with Thomas Dubrunquez, Viniyoga® Therapist, Brussels, Belgium

Thomas Dubrunquez, has been practising VINIYOGA® since 1999, following the tradition of TKV DESIKACHAR and T. KRISHNAMACHARYA. He received his teaching diploma from Frans MOORS in Liège, which allowed him to be recognised by the Belgian Yoga Federation (FBHY), ADEPS and the European Yoga Union.

Since then, he has continued his educational path, particularly in the study of classical texts, in meditation practices, etc. In 2016, he commenced and eventually completed the Viniyoga® Therapy Training under the direction of Dr. Kausthub DESIKACHAR. In addition, he is trained in Special Education, Systemic Family Therapy and Network Practices, in Environmental Education and Communication. He has worked for many years as a social worker in the "multiple distress" sector (addictions, mental health, etc.).

Here he shares her precious experience of teaching Viniyoga® at Prison.

1) What brought you to Viniyoga in the first place?

My interest in Yoga began after discovering the « Yoga-Sûtra » of Patañjali. I understood very quickly that I had a path to begin in Yoga. One year later, I went looking for a Yoga class without knowing all the different traditions nor the different kind of approach. After visiting 2 or 3 places without passion, I met a wonderful teacher of Viniyoga. This was 20 years ago! So, I actually didn’t look for many different approaches to Yoga. I « simply » listened to myself; this is what brought me to Viniyoga, a strong tradition allowing an internal dialogue. I could develop a very strong link with this tradition! Viniyoga is helping me to discover my deep inner and complex being. Viniyoga is allowing me to « try to make it alive » in my daily life.

2) How did your work of teaching Viniyoga at the prison manifest?

I have worked for many years as a social worker in different field of « very precarious situation » and « addiction ». I have also worked as a street social worker or as a social service coordinator. I have worked a few times in jail with the purpose of setting up prevention project, for instance. So, I think to be at ease and to know quite well the prison context. Six years ago, I proposed my services to the director of the prison, based in Arlon (in the South of Belgium), a jail only for men. One year later, the director asked me to go there to teach Yoga. I go there since five years now every week.

3) What kind of work do you do with the prisoners? How frequently do you meet them?
Since April 2015, I go every week in the prison of Arlon. I meet there a group of between 5 to 12 men. Some of them are in the detention house (waiting for a trial and eventually for a sentence) while others are in jail (and serving out their sentence).

The group is fluctuating, I have to constantly adapt. Prisoners can leave the jail without knowing much in advance: they may be freed or transferred in another jail, and this can be decided or organised in a very short time. They may also be absent for many different kinds of reasons (fall of morale, depression, inward-locking attitude, health problems, etcetera). The reason why a prisoner is entering the Viniyoga class can be as simple as to get out of the cell.
I, hence, have to compose with various parameters that are making the accompanying process very « volatile ». That is why I have to keep my approach and ambition very humble. But, it is possible to work with a group composed of the same individual for 2 or 3 months. I teach them classes of one-hour duration according to the adaptation principles of Viniyoga to this context: discovering the breath, discovering and accepting its own individuality (its own limits and resources), experimenting connection to oneself, living body and mind modifications, following regular practise, etcetera.

I can very quickly give them somebody and breath movements to practise in their cell knowing that they are not allowed to have a yoga mat in their own cell. In order to achieve this, I meet them for a short moment individually during the group class and then I can give them a short daily practise that they can do at a different time of the day. I still cannot (yet) meet them individually, even after having made multiples request to the direction.

4) How do you find the acceptance of Viniyoga by the Prisoners?

The majority of the prisoners never practised Yoga before. Some already have practised Yoga in other prisons, but it is very rare. When they come through the door of my class, they already have made a very big effort: by questioning the point of view that themselves and others have on Yoga! Hence, they are opened and curious to discover this progressive approach offering many different tools. Some of them choose not to come anymore while many of them emphasize the power of a Yoga practise!

5) How has Viniyoga helped the prisoners in their transformation process?

Viniyoga surely helped some prisoners to begin some amount of change and transformation. The discipline of breath and connection to oneself are very « useful » for everybody.

I think we have to keep some humility regarding this transformational potential. But I can see some kind of transformation [physically, psychologically and holistically).
Every practitioner which is committing through a regular Viniyoga practise is « deeply touched ». He will keep the memory of this empirical experience! On the same manner, every prisoner keeps this memory – with more or less intensity in function on the timeframe during which the practice has been maintained. For instance, the elements of progress and transformation can be physical, particularly regarding the abdominal and digestive region; regarding the herniated disc (non-aggravated); regarding cervical pain and headache,… The elements of transformation and progress can be psychological and linked with repeated and intense stress. It can be linked with the already explained physical elements. But it can also be linked with sleeping improvement, dealing with emotions in a stressful context or linked with mood fluctuation,…

The elements of progress and transformation can also take the shape of introspection and a new way of looking at one’s own life (« where I come… where I go… »).

A prisoner that was about to be transferred to its native country for serving its own sentence told me before leaving: « Jail didn’t teach me nothing… but I met Yoga !».

6) What challenges have you faced in bringing Viniyoga to the prison setting?

In the beginning, the difficulties were linked with the perception that some prisoners and guards had (or still have) regarding Yoga practise. In prison, the concept of virility is very strong. Yoga, then, regardless of the context, is rarely perceived as an active activity or intense sport. On top of this, I had to introduce myself as well as the Viniyoga approach. But, little by little, trust came between all of us!
I also want to emphasize the support that the direction of the prison gave to maintain a weekly Yoga class… this, even though, all my request to introduce private yoga therapy classes are still, now, unfulfilled!

Here like everywhere else… I do believe that the concept of « commitment » is central! To commit in a practice is not easy; to commit to an inner path is not taken for granted; to commit in order to cross the « superficial layer » is not easy… Regularly, the prisoners say that Yoga is a « tangible » moment of rejuvenation. One of the very rare moments where the prisoner feels its breath, eyes closed, one hand on the heart region and one other hand on the abdomen.
7)How do you see the role of Viniyoga in the future of Viniyoga Therapy in the world?

The role of Viniyoga and Yoga Therapy could, with time, take a sustainable role in the world. The organization of the world, merely the western world, is going to a limit, and we don’t want to see it and to take consequences for it. But still, there are many people who are questioning their lifestyle, the pain related to this lifestyle and the meaning (or the absence of meaning) of some model of life. All this putting our suffering and pain to the light as well as our desire of « something else ». Viniyoga and Yoga therapy can be a beautiful tool to not only help us in a global and respectful way regarding our physical and psychic suffering but also to support us and guide us toward this « something else » which is connected with ourselves and our heart.
I think that we are, in multiple ways, in a junction. I think that Yoga Therapy can participate positively to this movement of going toward a better anchoring and a better consciousness of our earthly existence. A movement of empowerment, then. And the future will tell us this with strenght in the heart!

Thomas Dubrunquez can be reached at www.l-imprudence-yoga.be