Yoga Gangsters: A Symbolic Interactionist Approach to the Use of Yoga with At-Risk Youth

• In Event: Innovations in Youth Services

Abstract

Yoga Gangsters is a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower youth by addressing the symptoms of trauma such as limited education, addiction, violence, incarceration, pregnancy, disabilities, etc. using the practice of yoga. Yoga Gangsters serves inner city areas by providing urban-flavored free classes, teaching the science and practice of yoga to in-crisis and at-risk youth in schools, hospitals, jails, and youth centers. Empirical evaluative research has yet to be published on the Yoga Gangsters program, therefore the main goal of this paper is to discuss its potential effectiveness from the symbolic interactionist perspective. Symbolic interaction theory analyzes society by addressing the subjective meanings that individuals impose on objects, events, and behaviors. Subjective meanings are given prevalence because it is believed that people behave based on what they have confidence in, not just on what is objectively true. Practically, it is Yoga Gangsters’ mission to share the messages of hope, empowerment, self-respect, self-control and self-awareness through the practice of yoga. Theoretically, then, symbolic interactionists would state that we can effectively empower youth by using the practice of yoga because it assists with altering the view of the self as well as the importance we place on various activities, such as yoga.

Author

• Desire' Janelle-Maralyn Anastasia, Metropolitan State University of Denver