Ki Development Behind Bars
Personal Responsibility
“It was the 6th class for most of the inmates in this stark room, dully lit with the fluorescent panels and furnished with pink plastic chairs and a white board. The teacher asked the students about their week. David responded, "I hit my "cellee," I had to; he was going to hit me. I had no choice." The other six students listened quietly as the teacher queried the young inmate suited in jail regulated orange pants and matching shirt. "You had no choice?" Are you sure? With all eyes focused on David, he reported the story a second and third time, each time giving more detail to the sequence of events. Another inmate turned to David and repeated the same question -- did you really have to hit him. The teacher interjected, "Did you have to hit him or did you want to hit him?" David’s expression changed and his body relaxed. He sat back in his chair and paused. All the inmates had been involved in the ki training and they knew at the same moment as David—the answer. The training enabled David to clearly see what he truly meant to do, thus recognize and take responsibility for his behavior.
Do you the reader believe that you have the capacity to learn, to change and to grow? Do you believe that others can change as well? What about those in our society who have broken laws or committed violent crimes? We can hope that change and growth can occur for inmates in our jails, but does it?
In a room full of inmates you will find that 90 percent are repeat offenders. Ki Development training ultimately provides inmates with the ability to control their reactions and more specifically learn that anger and tension is actually a weak and destabilizing response.
Many of the inmates in jail do not see beyond their immediate needs. They react to situations with limited thought about the long-term consequences. Often time they react with little control. They often believe that at the immediate moment of conflict their anger is appropriate and effective in responding to others. When sentenced to do jail or prison time, this behavior is often reinforced, seriously impeding the possibility for behaviors to change when they return to the community.
Ki training provides the men of all ages with the physical and mental understanding that relaxation is stronger than tension. One student said about his experience:
"The things I learn about relaxation and concentration I apply to my life here. It is a remedy that rubs against the rough edges of my mind and body, thus making daily the rough edges smoother and more smoother. Daily these techniques are put into practice for a clearer conscious(ness). My anger is more in control and my choices are more clear." Ki training teaches students how to see a larger context for their immediate problem and thereby look at the long-term effects of their reactions. By seeing the larger picture, the inmates change their initial reaction. In ki training at the jail, students learn to both physically and mentally relax when facing conflict. Below is an example of how ki development training enables inmates to clearly see the choices in their actions and take greater responsibility for themselves and their life.
"Class was just beginning on this balmy Tuesday evening in September. Thirteen men arrived to class, carrying their pink plastic chairs in one hand, a soda or a book in another hand. Their chairs formed a semi circle as they settled in for the two-hour session. So, asked the instructor, how did you use the ki training last week? Jesse eagerly responded. “My girlfriend called me. She was really getting on my case. I felt myself getting angry, but I didn’t. I remembered this class and about what you were saying about having a choice. I took a breath and I relaxed. Somehow, when I didn’t shout back, she just got quiet and then we could talk" By isolating an incident from daily life and applying a ki principal Jesse learned from his training and could see clearly the affects of his reaction and choice of reaction.
Not every inmate will see so clearly, but even setbacks can be lessons applied for new learning. For example, one student described how well he avoided a fight "using his ki training". He recounted his story with a final exclamation, “But if he (other inmate) ever tries to hit me, forget it, I’ll get him good. That’s crossing the line."
With this said, an entire ki session to think about "the line" followed. "What is your line to be crossed," suggested the instructor. "We all have a line. But there is always something bigger than stronger than us. We can always win over something that is weaker than you or I; we don’t really need to use tension when it’s weaker. But what if it is stronger? Will hitting work?" asked the instructor.
Ki training develops within students the awareness to see the potential for conflict and make decisions for action at the earliest opportunity. According to one student: "The way I use this class is when things happen and I want to flash I find myself stopping and actually catching myself before doing things. Plus, I guess it helps me be more self-conscious. Even though lately I happen to daydream but I'm actually conscious that I¹m daydreaming and see I'm working on it and this class is helping me accomplish that. It also helps me out in arguments on actually avoiding them."
Positive benefits of ki training for inmates
"There have been times when living in small quarters with another man I've tended to be upset, angry even hostile. In a way, this class has helped me to be more calm and patient. Because I realized that he is in there with me also. So what am I doing to irritate him? We have to live with each other so might as well make the best of it."
It is clear from inmate testimonials that the ki training is effective and positive for students enrolled in the classes. They are learning to see ahead, to think about their actions, to physically and mentally respond with positive attitudes.
The students in our program will be returning to a community that we all share. It is in our interest to support the inmates in their endeavor to make positive changes while incarcerated. Ki training effectively supports inmates to make better choices that ultimately affect us all. According to one student,
“In daily life this class has many benefits. I would say that the first one would be learning how to control my moods. Even though I rarely get excited about issues while incarcerated here at The jail, this class helps me to stay mellow. I am bipolar and take medication for my condition. This class reminds me at times when someone does say something negative about me to keep my cool.
Ki in daily life for me has taught me how to balance a situation out before reacting on them. I have had many situations in jail in which Ki in daily life has in fact helped me from getting in further trouble. For instance, I have arguments with my public defender over legal issues in which I had raised my voice angrily and found I got no results. However, when I spoke the exact same word calmly the results changed. So calmness worked over tension in this situation. Therefore I will practice this in daily life with all things, not just arguments." David. M.
"When my roommate bothers me, I practice breathing exercise. Ki is enabling me to control my own actions."
Savior C.
"Ki has enabled me to see, as well as identify certain aspects of life, and deal with it in a more ethical way. Ki also has illuminated my awareness spiritually, my patience, it has helped me mentally and physically also. "
Terry W.
"Without doing the breathing the way sensei told us to do, it would have taken me about 2-3 hours to get to sleep. Now breathing the way sensei showed us, I say 30 minutes to an hour and I am out."
Ken B.
"This class has helped by having more self-control. Thinking about things before I act and also relaxing more. Sensei gives out a lot of good information."
"There have been times when living in small quarters with another man, I’ve tended to be upset, angry even hostile. In a way this class has helped me to be more calm and patient. Because I realized that he is in there with me also. So (I think) what am I doing to irritate him? We have to live with each other so we might as well make the best of it."
"The way I use this class is when things happen and I want to flash I find myself stopping and actually catching myself before doing things. Plus I guess it helps me be more self aware. Even through lately I happen to day dream but I’m actually conscious that I’m daydreaming and see. I’m working on it and this class is helping me accomplish that. It also helps me out in arguments on actually avoiding them."
The Ki Research Institute provides Ki Development classes for individuals incarcerated in jail. These sessions provide participants the opportunity to examine their own understanding of power and strength and reconsider the efficacy of anger and tension. Through lecture and participation in Ki exercises, breathing and meditation, students experience a new possibility for responding and relating to the stress of incarceration.
The need for community support
The ki development program at the jail is the only one like it in the country. There are efforts to teach meditation and Yoga within correctional institutions, however ki development is unique. Through the principles of ki development, the men are beginning to see more clearly their own behavior and options, gain the capacity to see perspectives other than their own, and have a greater control over their responses to tense situations. Hopefully, ki principles can continue to spread in the jail. Maintenance, expansion and replication are possible if there were financial support.
We are seeking your assistance. Please Donate!
Do you the reader believe that you have the capacity to learn, to change and to grow? Do you believe that others can change as well? What about those in our society who have broken laws or committed violent crimes? We can hope that change and growth can occur for inmates in our jails, but does it?
In a room full of inmates you will find that 90 percent are repeat offenders. Ki Development training ultimately provides inmates with the ability to control their reactions and more specifically learn that anger and tension is actually a weak and destabilizing response.
Many of the inmates in jail do not see beyond their immediate needs. They react to situations with limited thought about the long-term consequences. Often time they react with little control. They often believe that at the immediate moment of conflict their anger is appropriate and effective in responding to others. When sentenced to do jail or prison time, this behavior is often reinforced, seriously impeding the possibility for behaviors to change when they return to the community.
Ki training provides the men of all ages with the physical and mental understanding that relaxation is stronger than tension. One student said about his experience:
"The things I learn about relaxation and concentration I apply to my life here. It is a remedy that rubs against the rough edges of my mind and body, thus making daily the rough edges smoother and more smoother. Daily these techniques are put into practice for a clearer conscious(ness). My anger is more in control and my choices are more clear." Ki training teaches students how to see a larger context for their immediate problem and thereby look at the long-term effects of their reactions. By seeing the larger picture, the inmates change their initial reaction. In ki training at the jail, students learn to both physically and mentally relax when facing conflict. Below is an example of how ki development training enables inmates to clearly see the choices in their actions and take greater responsibility for themselves and their life.
"Class was just beginning on this balmy Tuesday evening in September. Thirteen men arrived to class, carrying their pink plastic chairs in one hand, a soda or a book in another hand. Their chairs formed a semi circle as they settled in for the two-hour session. So, asked the instructor, how did you use the ki training last week? Jesse eagerly responded. “My girlfriend called me. She was really getting on my case. I felt myself getting angry, but I didn’t. I remembered this class and about what you were saying about having a choice. I took a breath and I relaxed. Somehow, when I didn’t shout back, she just got quiet and then we could talk" By isolating an incident from daily life and applying a ki principal Jesse learned from his training and could see clearly the affects of his reaction and choice of reaction.
Not every inmate will see so clearly, but even setbacks can be lessons applied for new learning. For example, one student described how well he avoided a fight "using his ki training". He recounted his story with a final exclamation, “But if he (other inmate) ever tries to hit me, forget it, I’ll get him good. That’s crossing the line."
With this said, an entire ki session to think about "the line" followed. "What is your line to be crossed," suggested the instructor. "We all have a line. But there is always something bigger than stronger than us. We can always win over something that is weaker than you or I; we don’t really need to use tension when it’s weaker. But what if it is stronger? Will hitting work?" asked the instructor.
Ki training develops within students the awareness to see the potential for conflict and make decisions for action at the earliest opportunity. According to one student: "The way I use this class is when things happen and I want to flash I find myself stopping and actually catching myself before doing things. Plus, I guess it helps me be more self-conscious. Even though lately I happen to daydream but I'm actually conscious that I¹m daydreaming and see I'm working on it and this class is helping me accomplish that. It also helps me out in arguments on actually avoiding them."
Positive benefits of ki training for inmates
"There have been times when living in small quarters with another man I've tended to be upset, angry even hostile. In a way, this class has helped me to be more calm and patient. Because I realized that he is in there with me also. So what am I doing to irritate him? We have to live with each other so might as well make the best of it."
It is clear from inmate testimonials that the ki training is effective and positive for students enrolled in the classes. They are learning to see ahead, to think about their actions, to physically and mentally respond with positive attitudes.
The students in our program will be returning to a community that we all share. It is in our interest to support the inmates in their endeavor to make positive changes while incarcerated. Ki training effectively supports inmates to make better choices that ultimately affect us all. According to one student,
“In daily life this class has many benefits. I would say that the first one would be learning how to control my moods. Even though I rarely get excited about issues while incarcerated here at The jail, this class helps me to stay mellow. I am bipolar and take medication for my condition. This class reminds me at times when someone does say something negative about me to keep my cool.
Ki in daily life for me has taught me how to balance a situation out before reacting on them. I have had many situations in jail in which Ki in daily life has in fact helped me from getting in further trouble. For instance, I have arguments with my public defender over legal issues in which I had raised my voice angrily and found I got no results. However, when I spoke the exact same word calmly the results changed. So calmness worked over tension in this situation. Therefore I will practice this in daily life with all things, not just arguments." David. M.
"When my roommate bothers me, I practice breathing exercise. Ki is enabling me to control my own actions."
Savior C.
"Ki has enabled me to see, as well as identify certain aspects of life, and deal with it in a more ethical way. Ki also has illuminated my awareness spiritually, my patience, it has helped me mentally and physically also. "
Terry W.
"Without doing the breathing the way sensei told us to do, it would have taken me about 2-3 hours to get to sleep. Now breathing the way sensei showed us, I say 30 minutes to an hour and I am out."
Ken B.
"This class has helped by having more self-control. Thinking about things before I act and also relaxing more. Sensei gives out a lot of good information."
"There have been times when living in small quarters with another man, I’ve tended to be upset, angry even hostile. In a way this class has helped me to be more calm and patient. Because I realized that he is in there with me also. So (I think) what am I doing to irritate him? We have to live with each other so we might as well make the best of it."
"The way I use this class is when things happen and I want to flash I find myself stopping and actually catching myself before doing things. Plus I guess it helps me be more self aware. Even through lately I happen to day dream but I’m actually conscious that I’m daydreaming and see. I’m working on it and this class is helping me accomplish that. It also helps me out in arguments on actually avoiding them."
The Ki Research Institute provides Ki Development classes for individuals incarcerated in jail. These sessions provide participants the opportunity to examine their own understanding of power and strength and reconsider the efficacy of anger and tension. Through lecture and participation in Ki exercises, breathing and meditation, students experience a new possibility for responding and relating to the stress of incarceration.
The need for community support
The ki development program at the jail is the only one like it in the country. There are efforts to teach meditation and Yoga within correctional institutions, however ki development is unique. Through the principles of ki development, the men are beginning to see more clearly their own behavior and options, gain the capacity to see perspectives other than their own, and have a greater control over their responses to tense situations. Hopefully, ki principles can continue to spread in the jail. Maintenance, expansion and replication are possible if there were financial support.
We are seeking your assistance. Please Donate!