COVID changed everything. Turiya of Alaska experienced an abrupt shift as March 2020 rolled onto the timeline. Literally, it took one afternoon to bring all programming to a place of frozen powerlessness. I remember that day vividly. The phone ringing, numbers and names appearing on my small, glowing iPhone screen: Anchorage Corrections, Spring Creek Corrections, …
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Countdown
I started my 200-hr yoga teacher training in Seward, Alaska inside of a men’s maximum security prison. About a year and a half later, I finished it in the comfort of my own home, in front of a gas-lit fireplace, on the same gold-colored yoga mat I had rolled out so many times in the …
Keeping the faith.
We’re so sorry we’ve been silent! Turiya has seen more changes in the last few months than we could have ever anticipated. When prisons and other facilities in Alaska were closed to outside volunteers (that’s us!) we found ourselves discouraged. What does this mean for the future of our organization and, more importantly, for our …
A Clusterf*ck of Sorrows
Just two Sundays ago, heading south on the Seward Highway, David and I turned around just about at Girdwood and headed back to Anchorage; the wind was fierce, the roads were icy, and heavy snow was forecasted later in the day. This tends to happen in the winter in Alaska, so no big deal, it’s …
Receiving Perspective
Words by David Westlake / Photo by Darcy Stein January provided a beautiful opportunity for us to travel to Mexico. We spent the time leading up to this journey deciding where in Mexico we wanted to explore. We’re not exactly the resort types and enjoy finding our own way. We decided on a little known …
Its not my job to make the plants grow.
December 8 I know I usually start when we check-in but I feel like I need to toss a little plug in for the drive down to Seward. We weren’t able to get down there for a few weeks because of questionable road conditions and my lack of a 4-wheel drive vehicle, so we decided …
Oh, the places you’ll go.
By David Westlake “Hold on,” I declare as we make three very sharp swerves that even at a slow speed seems incredibly dramatic. “Oh my god, What are those for?!” Darcy asks as she grabs the dash. “You know… for car bombers or anybody attempting to smash through the gates,” I say nonchalantly as we …
You can’t stay high for too long.
Sunday Oct. 13th We get down to the chapel a little late today, but it’s “ag” (all good), as they say inside. Big Black moves the place holder mat in my usual spot to make space for me. I thank him and roll my mat out, saying hello to everyone. We’re all here today, making …
On Intentions
Girls Detention at McLaughlin Youth Center, a 6-week series by Danielle Holness This was my final week in a 6-week yoga series with the Girls’ Detention unit at McLaughlin Juvenile Center. Taking this on, I was nervous, extremely nervous. Teens, although tough on the outside, are very sensitive. They are growing, finding themselves and most …
Oh snap
August 25 So we’re standing in the lobby at the desk where we check in. I’m waiting to go through the metal detector and fixing my hair (which I always wear in a very high bun when I go inside). I maneuver my hand around for the infamous second wrap of the hair tie and …
Turiya Speaks 