How are the children?

Among the Maasai people from Kenya, in their greeting to each other, this question is asked,”How are the children?” 

Through my work with YogaRoots On Location as the Director of Programming, I have diligently been working on the welfare of our children. Our children, who have been or currently involved in the juvenile justice system. Realizing that this system, like all systems, is unjust. From the disparate sentencing and simply removing young Black girls and boys from their communities for mostly petty and immature actions that are usually based around the need for survival. There are monthly patrols, sweeps of the streets where our children are subjected to “random”searches which result in their arrests. The children are not ok. 

During my 13 years of teaching experience, both as a yoga instructor for ages 4-91 and later a charter school Science teacher then Dean, I witnessed how unwell our children are. By the time my students reached 8th grade, most had been passed from one grade to the next due to funding needs and therefore made up data. So many fundamental skills left behind or not sharpened. Ill prepared for the real world. Juxtaposed with the highly funded and well resourced private schools. This disparity leads to the survival moves that can land our Black and Brown children into handcuffs and lead white children to lack empathy due to lack of exposure. Lack of acknowledgement of real humanity. 

Our children are not doing well AND we can shift them into a space of healing. Through my work I have the opportunity to create spaces for our children. Safe healthy spaces during our hour long sessions to discuss how they can continue to move themselves towards the light. Towards creation and healing. Utilizing the beautiful self reflective practices of raja yoga as our guide. Creating a space where all students can make the choice of engagement. Real autonomy. It is my hope that we can answer this question soon with “the children are healthy and continuing to heal!”