A Gentle Hour of Humanity: Sharing Tai Chi with BJMP Inmates 

There are moments in life that quietly stay with us long after they end.
Today was one of those moments.

I had the privilege of facilitating a gentle tai chi and mindful movement session with the inmates of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and what unfolded during that one-hour session was something deeply meaningful, human, and hopeful.

For many people outside the Philippines, BJMP is the government agency responsible for the safekeeping and rehabilitation of persons deprived of liberty in municipal, district, and city jails. But behind the walls, uniforms, and routines are human beings — individuals carrying stories, struggles, regrets, hopes, and the quiet desire for healing and dignity.

What I witnessed today reminded me that wellness, kindness, and mindful movement belong to everyone.

A Warm Welcome Inside the Facility

From the moment I arrived, I was met with kindness and professionalism.

The staff, including the warden, were incredibly accommodating, respectful, and supportive of the program. Their openness created a welcoming environment not only for me as an instructor, but also for the participants themselves.

It was clear that rehabilitation and human connection matter deeply within their community.

The atmosphere felt calm, organized, and surprisingly warm.

The Inmates Were Open, Respectful, and Eager to Learn

One of the most touching parts of the experience was witnessing how willing the inmates were to participate.

They listened attentively.
They followed instructions carefully.
They practiced each movement with sincerity and focus.

Many of them were trying tai chi for the very first time.

And yet, within minutes, you could almost feel the room soften.

Breathing slowed.
Shoulders relaxed.
Movements became gentler and more mindful.

There was less tension and more presence.

For one hour, the session became more than exercise. It became a space for stillness, calm, and human connection.

Why Tai Chi Can Be Powerful in Correctional Settings

Tai Chi is often described as “meditation in motion.” Through slow, flowing movements and deep breathing, tai chi helps regulate the nervous system and encourages calm awareness.

In correctional environments, this can be especially valuable.

Many inmates experience:

• chronic stress,

• anxiety,

• emotional tension,

• anger,

• trauma,

• isolation,

• sleep difficulties,

• and mental fatigue.

Gentle tai chi and mindful movement may help support:

• emotional regulation,

• stress reduction,

• body awareness,

• relaxation,

• concentration,

• patience,

• self-control,

• and inner calm.

Even a short session can provide a rare moment to breathe deeply and reconnect with oneself.

Tai chi also teaches something profoundly important:
that strength does not always have to look aggressive.

Sometimes strength looks like balance.
Stillness.
Breathing.
Self-awareness.
Gentleness.

Movement as Dignity and Rehabilitation

Programs that support wellness and emotional resilience can play an important role in rehabilitation.

Mindful movement activities such as tai chi encourage participants to slow down, become present, and engage in something constructive and peaceful.

These moments matter.

Not because they erase life’s difficulties, but because they remind people that growth, learning, and healing are still possible.

There is dignity in being given the opportunity to care for one’s body and mind.

There is dignity in being treated as human.

A Meaningful Beginning

As the session ended, I left feeling deeply grateful.

Grateful for the warm welcome.
Grateful for the trust.
Grateful for the openness of the participants.
Grateful for the opportunity to share something gentle and healing in a place where calm and compassion can mean so much.

Tomorrow, I will return for another session, and there is even a possibility that gentle tai chi and mindful movement may become part of their programming next year.

That possibility fills my heart with hope.

Because sometimes meaningful change begins quietly — with one breath, one movement, one hour, and one human connection at a time.

And today, inside those walls, I witnessed exactly that.

Explore the Library:

Move at your own pace and explore the full collection of gentle practices and reflections. 

• Tai Chi & Qigong for Resilience in Older Adults

•  Can Tai Chi Help with Anxiety and Mental Stress?

• Gentle Fitness & Strength After 50

• Tai Chi for Resilience: Supporting First Responders 

Ready to join a class? Click here to find Daily Movement with Nelda on Google Maps and explore our gentle Tai Chi sessions in the Town of Minto. Move with community, confidence, and quiet joy.    

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