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Hi
All,
As most of you know I have been working for the past four years
with survivors of domestic violence, sexual, drug and alcohol abuse.
I have worked in juvenile halls, shelters, hospitals, psyche wards
and transitional houses, with women and children; ex teen prostitutes,
foster children and the homeless.
My main focus has been to work with women and children who have
experienced some form of abuse on the body, be it physical, sexual,
drug and alcohol, neglect, mental or physical illness.
It was in my initial work with the women, survivors of domestic
violence that I developed The Body Comedy Program. The program has
been incredibly successful, rehabilitative and healing for them,
and subsequently with several other groups of women and children
as well.
So, when I heard about the Program in The LA County Jail, the only
one of it's kind in the entire country working on a rehabilitative
level with male domestic violence offenders, I knew I wanted to
be a part.
Having worked so long with the survivors, the effect, of this pervasive
problem, I was eager to work with the offenders, the cause of the
problem.
I jumped in head first, not really knowing what I was getting myself
into, just knowing that I wanted in.
A year and a half and a lot of applications later, I was finally
made a part of the program this fall, in September 2002.
The LA County Jail was not keen to bring me on or have me work with
the men. So, my initial screening involved my working with the female
inmates to see what the class and I were made of. After one class,
I passed with flying colors and was in on the program after getting
a big thumbs up from the guards and a vibrant reaction from the
women.
So, in September, I started my three week Body Comedy Program with
the both the women and the men, the male domestic violence offenders
and continuing my work with the female inmates, as I was hooked
after one workshop.
The Program for the DV offenders handpicks the men, first time offenders
bringing them into the six-week program with AA and NA programs,
Parenting, Anger Management, Sexuality and Job Placement classes
and now a little Body Comedy as well.
The tendency with this offense is to go back out and recommit. Three
years later, this program has had a 78% success rate in which they
do not recommit.
I jumped in to the program, neither they nor I knew quite what to
expect. My previous limit in a class was twenty participants, but
in the jail, I had as many as 64 in one class at a time. It was
intense!
The three weeks I spent with the men were complete Magic. They were
unbelievable and so responsive.
They learned how to use yogic breathing to relax and center their
emotions and themselves. We did yoga classes to expand and explore
new possibilities in their bodies and in their lives. We found the
places in the body where they hold anger and sadness and were able
to release it in a safe setting with sound and breath.
After an intense meditation, we got busy and played a lot of games,
each day ending in dance and with a big "Yes Yes!" positive affirmation.
It was incredibly transformational for all.
Some of
the written comments from the participants in the class were:
My soul feels free and open to release my spirit. Joey
I feel wonderful. It makes me feel like a kid again. Arthur
I personally appreciate your outgoing spirit and enthusiasm you
brought out in all of us. Michael
I believe you are a precious jewel and what you do is great. I've
learned how to release toxins from my body through breathing exercises
you've taught me. Eugene
I never thought yoga would make me feel this way. Your teachings
and strategy made me feel new. Thank you and God Bless you girl.
Alberto
I think this program is great. I never seen anything like this.
Thank you and God Bless. Peace. Eddie
I feel excited that I can freely show off and not be ashamed of
expressing myself loose of a lot of stress and other issues. It
is a new experience for my life because there is communion and
liberty. I am grateful for this class. Thank you Karen. Freddy
Another upbeat night to help free our spirits while they are temporarily
locked down. Thank you once again! Mike
Thank you for coming for the past three weeks. You are our light
in this time of darkness. Charlie
You put smiles on everyone's face by taking each and every one
to another level. You should thank yourself for what you do. Carlos
I really enjoy this from of relaxation. It makes you a better
person. You seem like a good hearted women. God Bless you. Ed
Thank you Karen for your presence and the art that you bring.
I felt stressed earlier, but after all the body and mind exercises
I feel great! Frankie
At first I felt weird, because I never done anything like this
before, but then I felt relief. I felt stretched out, very comfortable
with myself. Well, with little explanations and words I felt very
good. Thank you for all this. Juan
I
am already looking forward to a more extensive six week program
with the male inmates, starting mid March, 2003. I will continue
my Body Comedy Program and I am also looking to do a writing workshop
with them as well.
If you would like to find out more about the program please contact
me at: karenlofty@aol.com
or tel: 310 285 8107
This
program was made possible through the support of Comedy Central.
To find out how you can help support the program, click
here.
I will continue my work with, and my commitment to the women and
children, the survivors, the effect.
I will also continue my work with the cause, the offenders. As I
know, if we do not address the cause, we will unfortunately continue
to see an overwhelming effect over and over again.
All the best,
Karen Loftus
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