D.C. wants to teach juvenile delinquents Yoga, Tai-Chi

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Washington Examiner:

The District's troubled juvenile justice agency is looking for a yoga teacher, or maybe a tai-chi instructor, to work with some of the city's most dangerous youths. The idea for the new Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services programming comes from interim deputy director Barry Holman. Late last month, Holman e-mailed the agency's staff to see if they have "hidden talents that might be tapped to further our work with the young people in our care." In the e-mail obtained by The Washington Examiner, Holman said his primary interest was in finding among the staff an instructor certified in yoga, tai-chi, or another "mind-body connection discipline." The agency is coming off a controversial year during which more than a dozen of its wards were charged with murder and at least a half-dozen were killed. A heavy focus on rehabilitation programs for city youths was blamed by critics for the soaring violence. Under political pressure, former Mayor Adrian Fenty fired then DYRS interim director Marc Schindler six months after he replaced Vincent Schiraldi.

Fenty appointed Robert Hildum, who came to the agency with a reputation as a tough, law-and-order type.

But Hildum resigned last month in the face of uncertainty as the city transitioned to Mayor Vince Gray's administration. Fenty, as a lame duck, appointed Neil Stanley as the fourth DYRS director in 12 months. Agency insiders believe Stanley will straddle the line between rehabilitation and keeping the city's wayward youth locked up.

Holman told The Examiner that he's received several responses since sending out the Dec. 29 e-mail, but none from anyone who can teach the "mind-body" techniques he described. He said he hoped the e-mail would begin a conversation with staff members to think broadly about programs that "might be of interest to them and the youth."

"It was an exercise on my part to see what other qualities, besides the professional qualities, that they can bring to the job," Holman said.
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I can see it now: "All together now: Ohhhhhm..."

[pollyannaish]

Ok, so they'll meditate before they knock over the local liquor store. Great idea!

[Geee]

I think they need to teach this to the blackbirds

[Rheo]

I think they need to teach this to the blackbirds