MAKING MENTAL HEALTH A HUMAN RIGHT
Mindfulness-Based Mental Health Programs for Incarcerated
Persons
WHO WE ARE
FoundedinNewJerseyin2007, KulaforKarmawas apioneerinusingmedically-backedmindfulness practicestogivepeopleincrisistoolstoimprove theirmentalandbehavioralhealth.Sincethen, Kulahasgrownintoanational501(c)3nonprofit organizationwithprogramsexpandingaroundthe country.
We believe every human being deserves the space, time, and tools to understand, manage, and improve their mental health, no matter where or in what situation they may find themselves.
Our experts have developed unique mindfulness-powered mental healthcare programs that initiate and sustain healing and health through the framework of scientificallyproven somatic practices that support and serve our clients the rest of their lives.
OUR MISSION
Ourmissionistomakementalhealtha humanrightbyprovidingequitable, inclusive,affordableandaccessible mindfulness-basedmentalhealthcare forourpost-pandemicworld.
Weareaneffective,customizable solutiontothementalhealthcrisis plaguingournation. Readaboutthementalhealthcrisishere.
Mental Health Is My Human Right
WHAT WE DO
IN SANSKRIT, THE ANCIENT LANGUAGE OF YOGA, OUR NAME MEANS:
“COMMUNITYFORSERVICETOOTHERS”
Kulaprovidesmindfulness-basedmentalhealthcaretochildren, teens,andadultsexperiencingtrauma,addiction,andmental healthconditions.
Weutilizeamedically-endorsedcombinationofawareness, breath,andmovementtotreatallaspectsofmentalhealth:mind, bodyandspirit.Kulaprogramsincluderestorativeyoga,guided meditationsandmantras,breathingtechniques,andeducation aboutthephysiologyoftrauma’seffectsinourbodiesand behaviors.
WHO WE SERVE
Wehaveapassionforunderservedand marginalizedcommunities,fillingthe seriousgapsinourtraditionalmental healthsystembybringingmindfulnessbasedmentalhealthcaretothosewho needitmost:theincarcerated,the unemployed,theuninsured,the disenfranchisedanddisplaced,the housingandfoodinsecure,those seekingshelterfromabuseand violence,andthosetraumatizedby systemicinjusticeandsocialviolence.
Weequippeopleinlife’scrisismoments withtheskillstoregroup,regainstrength, andrebuildtheirlives.
WhenyouchoosetoworkwithKulafor Karma,youarealsohelpingmakeit possibleforpeoplewhomaynever otherwiseencountermindfulnessor receiveeffective,consistentmental healthcaretobenefitfromourprograms.
Wemeetawiderangeofpeoplewheretheyare: Schools,hospitals,communitycenters, addictionrecoverycenters,domesticandsexual violenceshelters,juvenilejusticefacilities, prisons,jobtrainingprograms,andgroupand transitionalhomes,andspaceswhereour healersandfirstrespondersserve–medical professionals,EMTS,police,firefighters–justto nameafew.
Tolearnmoreaboutwhatwedo, visitkulaforkarma.org/what-we-do
OUR WORK IN PRISONS
Throughourextensiveworkincorrectionalfacilities,werecognizethat incarceratedindividualsfacesignificantmentalandemotionalchallenges. Theexperienceofincarceration combinedwithpasttrauma,substance use,andsystemicbarriers canmakehealingandrehabilitationdifficult. Withouttherighttools,stress,isolation,andemotionaldistresscanfeel overwhelming.
Manyindividualsstrugglewithemotionalregulation,oftenbattling anxiety,depression,andfrustrationinanenvironmentthatheightens stress.Withouthealthyoutlets,unresolvedtraumacanfueldestructive behaviors,reinforcingcyclesofangeranddisconnection.Mindfulnessbasedpracticessuchasbreathwork,movement,andawarenessprovide essentialtoolsforgrounding,self-regulation,andresilience.
KulaforKarma’strauma-informed approachoffersasafe,non-judgmental spacewhereindividualscanprocess pastexperiences,cultivateselfcompassion,andregainasenseof agencyintheirlives.Addressing traumaiskeytobreakingpatternsthat leadtorecidivism,helpingparticipants buildemotionalresilienceandhealthier copingmechanisms.
Beyondindividualtransformation, thesepracticescontributetoamore positiveatmospherewithinthe facility.Byimprovingemotional regulationandreducingstressinducedconflicts,mindfulness programsfostermorepeaceful interactionsbetweenincarcerated individualsandstaff,creatinga morestableenvironmentconducive torehabilitation.
Ourprogramsarenotjustanenhancementtorehabilitation;theyarea vitalcomponentofmentalandemotionalwell-being.Byintegrating mindfulness,movement,andbreathwork,KulaforKarmaequips individualswiththeskillstomanagestress,navigateemotions,and fosterinnerstability layingthefoundationforhealing, rehabilitation,andafuturebeyondincarceration.
TheDoeFund,aNewYorkCityinstitutionsincethe1980s,hashelped over128,000formerlyincarceratedmenbreakcyclesofpovertyand recidivismthrougheconomicopportunity,housing,andsupportive services.
KulaforKarmaenhancesthismissionwithmindfulnessprograms atmultipleDoeFundsitesinBrooklyn,theBronx,andHarlem. Theseprogramsaddresstraumaandnervoussystemdysregulation, helpingmencultivateemotionalbalance,clarity,confidence,and focus.Bycombiningtheseefforts,participantsgainthetoolsneededto rebuildtheirlivesholistically.
KULA WORKS WITH INCARCERATED PEOPLE WHO ARE ALSO IN ALCOHOL AND DRUG RECOVERY AT HUDSON COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY:
"Oneofthewomenrecentlysharedthatshe'sincrediblygratefulformy groupbecausetheyarebeingoverwhelmedwithsomuchinformation aboutwhattheyshoulddotostaysober,butthepracticeIleadisan opportunitytoconnecttotheirowninnerwisdomandfeeltheir emotions,whichhasbeenverybeneficial. "
- Brialle, Kula Teacher
Hudson County Correctional
THE KULA SOLUTION
Weprideourselves mindfulness-based programsspecifica uniqueneedsof inc individuals.Ourpro toaddressthechall peopleinprison,su regulation,stressm traumahealing.
Weworkcloselywith andcounselorstoun needsoftheirclients dynamicsofthefacil withstaff,weensure wedeveloparemost ourparticipantsthe healandbuildresilie Itallbeginswithac outtoustoday:
JenniCrumptonRos jenni@kulaforkarma 917-456-2222
LISTEN TO SOME OF OUR CLIENTS TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE AND SATISFACTION WITH THE KULA SOLUTION:
Sam Waterston introduces the work and impact of Kula for Karma.
OUR WHY
WHY MINDFULNESS-BASED MENTAL HEALTH?
Kula’sapproachtomindfulness-basedmentalhealthcareisbaseduponthe workofworld-renownedmedical,psychological,andtraumaexpertswhohave shownthatmostmentalhealthconditionsareprecipitatedbyabiological responsetotraumabythesympatheticnervoussystembecomingimprinted inthebody,causingmentalandphysicalsymptomsandbehavioralchanges, includinganxiety,depression,bipolar,schizophrenia,addictionandother dangerousmaskingbehaviors.
Forpeoplewhoareincarcerated,thetraumaisoftentracedtochildhood; althoughthrougheverylifestage,experiencesofabuseandneglect,foodand housinginsecurity,socialviolenceanddiscrimination,lackofresources, restrictedaccesstomentalandphysicalhealthcare,andexposureto substanceabuseandcrimehaveasignificantimpact.
TIMErecentlypublishedanexpose reportingthattraditionaltherapyis notsolvingourmentalhealthcrisis.
AsseminaltraumaexpertsDr.Bessel vanderKolk(TheBodyKeepsthe Score)andDr.PeterLevine(Somatic Experiencing)haveshown,trauma livesinthebody.Forthisreason, Kulabelievesthemissinglinkinour mentalhealthcareissomatic interventions,suchasthe combinationofbreathingexercises, movement,andcultivating awarenessofthebody.
Traumatypicallyisnotprocessed bythemind,becausetraumatic experiencesbypassthefrontalbrain (theseatofreasoning)andthesignal goesstraighttotheprimitive amygdala(theseatoffightorflight andsurvival).
Thisnaturalprocesskeepsusalive underunthinkablecircumstances. Yetthesympatheticnervoussystem getsstuckinongoingfightorflight, andthoseunresolvedsurvival messagesgetstoredinthebody.
That’swhyourmemoriesof traumaticexperiencesareoften blurryandfragmented,oreven remainhiddenforyears.Andthat’s whytherapyonlytakeshealingsofar. Traumaisn’tthemind’snarrative ofwhathappened,it’stheimprint oftheunresolvedsurvivalresponse loopinginthebody.
Wehavetensofthousandsof neuronsinourhearts,gutsand throughoutourbodies.Thesurvival responsetrappedinournervous systemcreatesdiscomfortinour bodiestoalertusthatuntilitis physicallyreleased,wewill continuetooperateasifwearein imminentdanger.
Thisiswhy,whenleftunattended,we developunbearablefeelingsinour bodies(anxiety,depression,fear, grief,pain,etc.),then,notbeingable toreasonwhyorchangeitwithour thinkingminds,oftenbegintoactout inuncharacteristicways.Thisoften leadstoengaginginunhealthy avoidancebehaviorsthatimpactour health,relationships,jobsand personalstability.
It’samyththatmentalhealthisall aboutthemind.
Cultivatingawarenessofourbodies andthefeelingswithinthem, combinedwithyogamovementsand controlledbreathingtechniques, havebeenscientificallyshownnot onlytoregulateandreleasethe nervoussystem,butalsotoimpact theexpressionofourDNA(inciting healingofintergenerationalor inheritedtrauma)andcreatenew neuralpathwaysthathelpus developnewskills,perspectives,and habits.
Kula’smindfulness-basedmental healthmethodisacutting-edge, scientfically-backedwaytotruly begintoaddresstherootcausesof mentalandbehavioralhealth conditionsandsymptoms,andtake peoplethroughajourneytoward realhealing.
HOW WE IMPLEMENT
KulaforKarmaconducts transformativeprogramswithin correctionalfacilities,providing incarceratedindividualswith essentialtoolstomanagestress, regulateemotions,improvesleep, andcultivateself-worth.Our trauma-informedapproachfosters resilience,emotionalbalance,and long-termwell-being,offering individualsapathwaytoinner peacedespitethechallengesof incarceration.
Ourprogramshelpparticipants staypresent,developselfregulationskillsthrough breathworkandaccessible movement,andestablish healthiercopingmechanismsfor emotionalchallenges.By integratingthesepractices, individualscanmakemore mindfuldecisions,buildemotional resilience,andbeginbreaking cyclesofnegativebehavior patterns.
AtKula,wealsoemphasize emotionalsupportand connection.Incarcerationcanbe anisolatingexperience,butour programsremindparticipantsthat theyarenotaloneintheirjourney. Healingispossible,andseeking supportisacourageousstep towardself-discoveryand transformation.
Toensurethegreatestimpact,we offercustomizedclassesledby trained,trauma-informed instructorswhounderstandthe specificchallengesofincarceration. Ourteachersarecarefullyselected toconnectwithparticipantsina meaningfulway,fosteringtrustand accessibility.Wealsoprovide bilingualinstructorstoensure inclusivityandeffective communication,creatingaspace whereeveryindividualfeelsseen, heard,andsupported.
OUR TEACHERS
KulaforKarmaspecificallytrainsourteacherson mindfulnessfortrauma,addiction,andmentalhealth. All RegisteredYogaTeachers(RYT),manyofourteachersalsohave additionalcertificationsinmultiplemindfulnessand breathworkpractices,aswellasdegreesandexperienceas mentalhealthprofessionalssuchaslicensedpsychologistsor licensedsocialworkers(LCSW).
Ourteachersestablishtrustandcreateengagementwiththose weserve,addressingeachgroup'suniqueneedswith compassion,patienceandnonjudgement.Theycreate customized,turn-keysolutionsformindfulness-basedmental healthprogramstailoredtoindividualsandcommunitiesin theirenvironment,andmakethepracticesaccessibletoall.
WebelievethatKulateachersshouldreflecttheidentitiesand experiencesofyourpopulationascloselyaspossible,allowing themtoseethemselvesinabalanced,thoughtful,and resourcefulindividual.Tofosterthisconnection,wecollaborate withyoutoselectteacherswhobestrepresenttheparticipants, ensuringtheseindividualscanidentifywithandrelatetothem. Therelationshipwiththeteacherbecomesahealing centerpieceoftheprogram.
Learnmoreaboutourteachershere.
OUR KULA TEACHERS CONNECT
WITH THOSE IN PRISON:
"LastweekIchanneledmyownheavyheartfromlosinganoldfriendto suicideandfeelingsadaboutthefiresinLAintoagriefceremonyfor eachoftheunits.Itwasprettyincredibletowitnessthevulnerability theyleanedinto.
WestartedstandinginacircleandIlistedaseriesofstatementsabout loss(suicide,naturaldisaster,deathoflovedones,overdose,etc)ifit resonated,theytookastepintothecircle.Itwasapracticeof witnessingthepainweallsilentlycarryandgivingitaspacetobe witnessed,felt,movedthrough.
Severalwomenhademotionalreleasesandformedagrouphug.Some mencourageouslysharedabouttheirownexperienceofconsidering suicide."
Iendedeachceremonywithacallandresponsesong,"whatusedto holdmebackishelpingmerise"andtheyLOVEDthat.
- Brialle, Kula Teacher Hudson County Correctional
OUR IMPACT
KulaforKarmaisanessentialpartofthesolutiontoournational mentalhealthcrisis,anduniqueinourfocusonincludingthemissing linkinmentalhealthcare:addressingtraumainthebody.
Inthefaceofmonumentalneed,ourprogramsarehavingamore dramaticimpactthanever.Ourmindfulness-basedmentalhealth programsaremeetingpeoplewheretheyare,breakingdownbarriers,and providingdesperatelyneededaccesstoknowledgeandhealingpractices. Byworkingwithustoserveyourcommunity,youarealsocreating opportunitiesforKulatoservecountlessothers.
Watchandreadadditionaltestimonialshere.
