mind, body and life skills for at-risk youth

Welcome To The Youth Council

In our classes we use “Council” to speak and listen to each other. We pass around an object we call a “talking piece”, which could be anything–a rock, a feather, or a bell. In council, everybody agrees to listen to the person who is holding the talking piece. We ask the person talking to speak “from the heart”, that is, from a place that is real for them–no B.S.–while the rest of us listen deeply to the words that are spoken. We’ve found that it is the presence we bring to Council, whether speaking or listening, that changes it into a “sacred space”–a safe place to be yourself.

Many of the writings you see here are from youth who have participated in our classes, including speaking in the Council. Some of them have also chosen to write about their experiences with us, and/or about their lives, which we’re always interested in hearing about.

We’d love to hear from you too, so write us and let us know what it’s like being you. Drop us your rhymes, poetry, or, if you’ve tried yoga or meditation, or have participated in a Council before, tell us about your experience. (Please include your name, first name only is O.K., age, and where you are from.)

Roberto, age 17

What Will We Become

Many days many nights
many years many fights
many teens turned into blood
Rest in peace to all the thugs
Who understood who even cared
“Just doing our job” they said but no one really dared
who gave Respect who showed them how
who invented the gun and made it go Pow

how did we become how did we grow
was it reality or was it just a show
was it fake as a dream or real as snow
will we fly with the dove or soar with the crow
will we find the light or get lost in the dark
will we feel the bite or just hear the bark
will we cross the gates or get condemned to eternal fire
The only thing I know we all get left
Hanging off a thin strip of wire!!!

It’s Your Choice

How many times do you need to fall before you realize
That you have to learn how to crawl before you learn how to walk?

A lot of gangstas are always trying to hop on the fast lane,
Living as fast as they can, then wondering why they fall as victims to the game.

Why put the blame on your P.O. or the police for taking your freedom?
Remember, if you would’ve not done what you did you would not be in that cell feeling
lonesome.

I’m not trying to criticize or judge, I just want you to open up your eyes.
Cause I too was once that fool speeding on the fast lane not caring who dies.

The only difference is that I have taken off the blindfold and now I see,
the tables have turned, and now I think of my family instead of just me.

I’m not trying to teach or preach but these words I do want you to hear.
When you live life in the fast lane, believe it or not, you’re living life in fear.

Fearing when you are going to crash and hit the hall,
And once you do, you’re quick to say they made me fall.

Knowing damn well your life is in your hands,
Word to the wise, he who listens will be the man with the master plan.

So remember it’s up to you if you want to live in darkness or see the light,v Get out of this hellhole and make it right.

I know it ain’t easy but it’s worth a try.
Are you not tired of being behind these walls releasing quiet cries?

So remember the future lies at your own control,
Either you want to live live to the fullest or be another lost soul!!!

I Got’s To

I Got’s to keep my head up, not for you but for me.
I Got’s to keep it real, not for the hood, but for my family.
I Got’s to stay on my feet, not to die on them but to live.
I Got’s to be thankful for what I get, not to take but to give.
I Got’s to be the best I can be.
I Got’s to do all this for my family and for me.
I Got’s to!!!

Evil wayz, Old dayz

I reminisce about the past when I was running the streets.
When I had a shovel in my hand diggin’ my own grave and always on a creep.
I was seeking for death,but it always seemed to escape my path.
Stayed on a kamikaze mission, hoping it would end up in a blood bath.
Never wanted to see the light, got used to the dark.
A lost soul looking for perros, who just loved to bark.
A criminal minded crazy with an evil mentality,
Never gave a damn if I hurt you or your family.
Down as fool creepin’-n-crawling, this youngsto was straight shot callin’.
Belonged in the home for the sick ‘cause the devil was calling.
Well that was me, and that’s what I was,
When the devil takes control of you that’s what he does.
Makes evil look good in all sort of wayz,
But all that B.S. are my evil old wayz.
Now it’s time to change!
Different name, different game.

Reggie, age 17 - San Mateo Hillcrest Juvenile Hall

What I learned in yoga really opened me up into letting my anger out and feeling more relaxed.
Sometimes I still feel angry and feel like taking it out on somebody else,
but Andrew and yoga always pops up in my head and makes me think before my actions.
I really have trouble with some counselors and staff and I want to go off,
but yoga helped me out with staying cool and holding my temper in….....

because I seriously have a bad temper.

Nicole, age 17 - San Mateo Hillcrest Juvenile Hall

The class helps me stay focused on my body and my soul and when I get frustrated I can take a deep breath…. I love getting in contact with me on the inside. I always seem to find something new about me in class…. Just having a place where you can be with you and just you is always great.

Nicholas, age 17 - San Mateo Hillcrest Juvenile Hall

I liked this class a lot. It helped me with a lot of my problems.
I liked the meditation and the yoga. I will keep on doing this when this program is done and teach other people how cool yoga and meditation is.

Nestor, age 17 - San Mateo Hillcrest Juvenile Hall

When I first got into yoga I thought I was in a class where homosexuals just stretch. The class was interesting because we were receiving points. I decided to make the best out of it. As I did that, I started to see the outcome of the class. Which was, I felt at peace with who I was. It helped me understand everyone has their own purpose in life. Out of all the things I received from yoga, I have to say the most rewarding was a virtue I never had, “patience”. With patience I can focus on what I’m doing and why. Without patience I would continue being caught up in the fast-paced world we live in.

Fast money. Fast women. Fast death.

Miriam, age 16 - San Mateo Hillcrest Juvenile Hall

I learn something new about myself every time I come here. It really helps me out.

POEM, by Miriam

Where to go?
no where to hide.
I find myself in class
try to figure out my answers
to so many why’s.
oh, the bell opened my
eyes. What a wonderful
peace of mind I find.

Leilani, age 18 - San Mateo Hillcrest Juvenile Hall

I feel myself grounded more and a change in how I may feel with the difficult situations I’m going through….. I think we should have these classes go to schools, and other places like jails, group homes, rehabs. When I get out of here I would want to continue meditation/yoga classes…because I think that’s when I’ll really need it.

Jessica, age 17 - San Mateo Hillcrest Juvenile Hall

I feel a lot more calm about the things going on in my life causing me stress. I almost forget them…. (I can use what I learn in this class) by just breathing and keeping calm and noticing how I feel when I get mad and concentrate on that instead of focusing on what’s making me mad.

MEDITATE, by Jessica

Tingling sensations run through my body
As I sit with my hands resting on my thighs.
Breathing softly in and out, while
not opening my eyes.
My mind escapes the present and takes
a journey to another place,
I center myself, bring myself
back to the breath and meditate.

Jason, age 17 - Glenwood Boys Camp of San Mateo

This poem I write
is dedicated
to those who lost their lives

and were mutilated
by their own kind,
blinded by hatred and greed.

That’s what you must feel
to watch your own species bleed.

But there we stood
stronger than ever,
showing love to our friends,
while our own hearts were severed.

I dedicate this poem
to those up in heaven
who lost their lives
to 9-11.