Susie Weigel – PYP Alabama
Susie Weigel (M. Ed, RYT-200, Yoga Therapy Graduate Student-M.S.) has been teaching yoga for 5 years and began teaching trauma-informed yoga at Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in 2019. Prior to training with and joining Prison Yoga Project, Susie taught English and German in secondary and post-secondary schools in Alabama for 19 years. Her experience as a public-school teacher and yoga practitioner sparked in her a desire to bring the transformative and healing power of yoga to underserved populations. She facilitates classes for incarcerated women, corrections employees, at-risk youth, addiction recovery residents, athletes, and private clients.
Beginning in October 2019, Susie led and co-facilitated a 12-week pilot program at Julia Tutwiler Prison. The success of the pilot resulted in rapid program growth, and despite pandemic challenges, PYP- Alabama currently offers 6 virtual programs for Tutwiler residents and staff members. With the generous support of grant funding from the Central Alabama Community Foundation (CACF) and Elmore County Community Foundation (ECCF), PYP-AL collaborates with the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) to develop innovative program delivery for both staff and residents of ADOC facilities.
Susie is currently working toward a Master of Science degree in Yoga Therapy at Maryland University of Integrative Health. Her coursework there is challenging and enriching, and it informs and enhances her approach to the populations she serves.