Yoga, Mindfulness & Social Justice (YMSX) Certificate with Prison Yoga Meditation
The Yoga, Mindfulness, and Social Justice (YMSX) Certificate is a comprehensive 50-hour pathway focused on social justice, trauma-informed practice, mindfulness, and service through yoga. The program moves from trauma-informed foundations, through social justice and contemplative practice, and culminates in applied service and teaching within prison and justice-impacted settings.
The certificate is built from five components: a foundational trauma-informed intensive, three core YMSX modules, and a concluding Prison Yoga Project certification. Each module is also offered as a standalone continuing education course, but together they form a progressive curriculum building toward the full certificate.
In this course, students will explore various trends in Yoga and meditation, with an emphasis on discovering emerging areas of service, engagement, and social activism. Special attention will be given to the science of meditation, current ecological and social justice topics, and Yogic applications in various contexts for social change.
Faculty
- Amy Osborne, M.A., E-RYT, YACEP — leads the Foundation module, bringing trauma-informed mindfulness and community outreach training to yoga teachers and practitioners
- Judith Carlisle, PhD, M.A., YACEP— leads the three core YMSX modules, exploring the relationship between contemplative practice, social change, and social justice
- Shaun McNally, M.A., E-RYT 500, Yoga Educator & Holistic Healing Specialist — leads the capstone Prison Yoga Project Meditation Certification, in partnership with Prison Yoga Project (prisonyogaandmeditation.org)
Program Components
Foundation: Trauma-Informed Mindfulness Intensive
- Dates: Saturday, September 12 & Sunday, September 13, 2026
- Times: Sat 10 AM–5 PM, Sun 12–3 PM Pacific
- Hours: 10
Module 1: Yoga, Mindfulness, and Social Justice
- Dates: Saturdays, October 10 – October 31, 2026
- Times: 10 AM–12:30 PM Pacific
- Hours: 10
Module 2: Yoga and Power
- Dates: Saturdays, January 16 – February 6, 2027
- Times: 10 AM–12:30 PM Pacific
- Hours: 10
Module 3: Teaching and Living Yoga and Mindfulness
- Dates: Saturdays, March 13 – April 10, 2027
- Times: 10 AM–12:30 PM Pacific
- Hours: 10
Capstone: Prison Yoga Project Meditation Certification
- Dates: Saturday & Sunday, May 2027 (dates TBD)
- Hours: 10
Each of the five parts earns 10 hours of LMU Continuing Education Credit. Completing all five segments earns a YMSX Certificate from LMU and Prison Yoga Project teaching certification.
Tuition
- $298 per module
- $1,250 for all five modules
Location
Loyola Marymount University, University Hall (Foundation module onsite/online hybrid; remaining modules online via Zoom, hybrid where noted)
Prison Yoga Meditation (PYM) Module Note
This curriculum includes required paperwork and background checks to teach in select Los Angeles and California correctional institutions; not all facilities are eligible. Additional criteria may apply depending on individual circumstances. Please inquire for further details on prerequisites.
Lead Instructor Bio
Judith's Yoga practice began in Alexandria, Virginia with her grandmother as her first teacher. Her teaching incorporates academic study of Yoga, Buddhist, and Jain philosophies with yoga meditation, posture, and breath practices.
Her academic education includes a Doctor of Philosophy (Computer Information Systems, University of Arizona) and an MA in Yoga Studies from Loyola Marymount University. She teaches in the MA Yoga Studies programs at Loyola Marymount University and Naropa University. Her work uses rigorous exploration of classical Yoga texts, philosophy, and history to understand how Yoga study and practice support social change in the world.
Judith is registered as an E-200-hour, 500-hour trained Yoga teacher, and YACEP with Yoga Alliance.