Otherwise, he and a potential victim may become merely another statistic. By the end of class, the faces have softened. I ask them to try to sit in a cross-legged position for a short meditation, and to close their eyes and focus on their breathing. The tenets of yoga say that if the individual can begin to focus their mind, they can begin to take more control of their impulses and negative thoughts. Some of my students giggle or smirk.
Eyes pop open at the slightest sound heard in the room.
Some appear calm and peaceful. They want to talk with him at the end of class. I explain that in the yogic tradition the teacher bows to the student, and student to teacher, as a mutual sign of respect and gratitude. They seem to appreciate this concept and readily return the bows we offer. I am again plagued by the thought of how these boyish faces could have committed such crimes to get them detained in this facility.