We’re so excited to be hosting the project leaders and facilitators of the first ever study of Trauma-Informed Yoga for PTSD, Psychosis, and Schizophrenia.
You can RSVP for this event here: https://community.prisonyoga.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=12873&preview=true
For additional reading about this amazing program you can read their most recent article here: https://www.hv.se/en/news-archive/first-in-the-world-to-evaluate-trauma-informed-yoga-in-forensic-psychiatry/
Listen to the research and training team sharing their experiences on how this came to be a national program in these restricted environments and how the yoga practices have been received by the participants and trained staff who are facilitating the classes.
Below are the guest speakers and researcher, joining us to share their results and experiences:
Josefin Wikstrom (TCTSY-F, Yoga Therapy for The Mind, E-RYT 500, YACEP, RCYS) has been bringing yoga and dance into the Swedish prisons since 2008. She has been working as a full-time teacher focusing on yoga for trauma-exposed populations since 2003. In 2015, she began working with Prison Yoga Project to coordinate European training and has been teaching Prison Yoga Project training in Mumbai, India, and Mexico.
Josefin has been the primary teacher for the Swedish Probation services and co-developed the Swedish Krimyoga program together with Eva Seilitz, a program that is today evidence-based through the research study- Yoga in correctional settings. She is now creating trauma-informed yoga programs for the Swedish forensic psychiatry units, the Juvenile justice system, and stress-reducing programs for children in the Swedish schools.
Maria Engdal, Physiotherapist, National coordinator within the Forensic Psychiatry for the research study. Working clinically in the forensic healthcare institution with emphasis on bringing evidence based yoga to this group of patients in a valid and sustainable way. Part time student, working on a master degree. Special interest in motor control theories and respiratory physiology and the impact of breath on our wellbeing.
NÓRA KEREKES, Professor of medical science (Psychiatry) Associate professor of experimental forensic psychiatric research. Ph.D. in Neuroscience- Research Leader.
“I believe that changing the brain to alter behaviours may not necessarily/inclusively require pharmacy or any invasive form of therapy. I lead epidemiological and clinical studies to investigate biological interventions’ (diet, physical activity, yoga, acupuncture) effects on our behaviour.”
Eva Seilitz, founder and former national coordinator for The Swedish Prison Yoga system. Works as a senior adviser and teaches yoga and existential health frequently, and has developed the concept of Pilgrim Yoga.She has her masters in InterFaith Studies at the University of Uppsala, has studied art at The Art Institute of Chicago and has also been deeply influenced by Dr. Jonas Salk’s evolutionary philosophy. Salk was Eva’s mentor for more than two decades.
Sofie Lundstrom PHD in health and lifestyle, specialisation in nursing science and a mental health nurse. Sofie is a lecturer in Nursing Science in University West, Trollhättan, Sweden.
