Rise Above Yoga

We are an organization offering trauma-informed yoga for incarcerated individuals and justice-impacted communities.
We believe in
healing over punishment to support individuals
to
rise above trauma, adversity, and structural violence
towards rehabilitation and holistic wellbeing.

Photo courtesy of the Prison Yoga Project

WHAT WE DO

Rise Above Yoga (RAY) works in collaboration with the Prison Yoga Project (PYP), a global nonprofit organization that has developed a holistic approach to rehabilitation and transformation within the criminal justice system. In Wisconsin, our facilitators provide free, ongoing, trauma-informed, mindful yoga sessions to:

  • Incarcerated adults

  • Justice-involved youth

  • Formerly incarcerated individuals re-entering society

  • Community members impacted by the criminal justice system

  • We are preparing to offer yoga for correctional facility staff in the future

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Our Mission

Our mission is to provide safe, accessible, and trauma-informed yoga for incarcerated and justice-impacted communities to support resilience and rehabilitation on the journey from incarceration to re-entry.

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OUR VISION

We envision a cultural shift in addressing crime, substance abuse, and mental health. We advocate for people-centered, dignity-focused, & community-based approaches to addressing these issues.

OUR VALUES

  • People are at their best when they feel a sense of safety and belonging. We prioritize creating a supportive environment that fosters trust, resilience, and personal transformation. In doing so, we allow space for people to explore moving beyond their comfort zone, express themselves authentically and with integrity, and embark on transformative journeys with confidence.

  • We embrace our shared humanity and strive to transcend division by valuing and respecting the unique perspectives and experiences of all people. Fostering inclusivity supports a sense of belonging, harnesses the power of diverse voices, and paves the way for collective growth.

  • We recognize that people face different challenges and experience different privileges and discrimination due to social, economic, and racial disparities. By striving for equity, we aim to level the playing field, reduce inequalities, and provide equitable access to healing resources and opportunities for all.

  • We believe in acting with honesty, transparency, and consistency, ensuring that our words align with our deeds. Living the value of integrity requires holding ourselves accountable, acknowledging our mistakes, accepting responsibility, and accepting the consequences of our actions.

  • We believe in ongoing learning, growth, and staying informed. Continuous learning allows us to adapt and improve, ensuring we remain effective, evidence-based, and responsive to conditions. It encourages personal and professional development, promotes innovation, and strengthens our organization’s capacity to effect positive change.

Adapted from the Prison Yoga Project

WHO WE ARE

TEAM MEMBERS

Jo Temte

Director of Dane County Programming

Frances Colbert

Women’s Facility Coordinator

Kelsey A. Dalrymple

Community Yoga Lead

Drew Piehl

Reentry Fair Coordinator

Liz Michalkiewicz

Interim Executive Director

Katie Pereira

Finance Coordinator

Jennifer Fetterly

Advisory Board Member

Jodi Klagos

Liaison to Dane County Sheriff

Juila Gahr

Strategic Planning Lead & Milwaukee Ambassador

CURRENT FACILITATION OPPORTUNITIES

Men’s 6-Week Sessions at the Dane County Jail

We regularly facilitate 6-week sessions to groups of 10-15 male residents of the Dane County Jail (near downtown Madison). We use a 6-week curriculum to introduce participants to basic asanas, breath work, and meditations. These classes are from 3:15pm - 4:15pm every Sunday. For more information contact Jo Temte (jotemte@mac.com).

Men’s Parenting Group at the Dane County Jail

We regularly facilitate yoga sessions to groups of 10-20 male residents of the Dane County Jail (near downtown Madison) who are present members or alumni of the parenting class there. As these sessions are ongoing, asanas, breath work, and meditations are up to the facilitator. These classes are from 3:30pm - 4:30pm every Wednesday. For more information contact Jo Temte (jotemte@mac.com).

Yoga with the Urban Leage

We are currently offering yoga for parenting class participants at the Urban League center at 1233 McKenna Blvd. every Tuesday from 1:-00pm - 2:00pm. We run these classes in 6-week shifts and draw from a 6-week curriculum to introduce participants to basic asanas, breah work, and meditations. For more information, contact Kelsey Dalrymple (kelsey.a.dalrymple@gmail.com).

Yoga at the Dane County Juvenile Detention Center

We regularly facilitate sessions to groups of 2-10 male and female residents (ages 10-17 years) of the Dane County Juvenile Detention Center (near downtown Madison). As these sessions are ongoing, asanas, breath work, and age appropriate guided meditations are up to the facilitator. Playful movement, games, and discussions are included in these sessions. They are from 1:00pm-1:45pm every Wednesday. For more information contact Jo Temte (jotemte@mac.com).

Women’s Sessions at the Dane County Jail

We regularly facilitate yoga sessions to female residents of the Dane County Jail (near downtown Madison). As these sessions are ongoing, asanas, breath work, and meditations are up to the facilitators. These classes are from 10:00am - 11:00am every Saturday. For more information contact Frances Colbert (francescolbert@gmail.com).

Men’s Oakhill Prison Yoga

We regularly facilitate sessions to groups of 10-15 male residents of the Oakhill Prison (near Oregon, WI). As these sessions are ongoing, asanas, breath work, and meditations are up to the facilitators. These classes are from 6:15pm - 7:15pm every Tuesday and Thursday. For more information contact Jo Temte (jotemte@mac.com).

Treatment-Related Yoga

We are exploring setting up regular yoga classes as part of substance abuse and mental health treatment in partnership with Tellurian and ARC. If you are a trained yoga therapist with experience in these areas and/or are interested in supporting this work, contact Alisa Magennis (alisa@sukhasomatics.com).

Yoga with Grow Academy

We facilitate yoga for groups of up to 6 male residents (ages 13-17 years) of the Grow Academy (near Oregon, WI). Since these sessions are ongoing, asanas, breath work, and age appropriate guided meditations are up to the facilitator. Playful movement, games, and discussions are included in these sessions. They are offered 3 evenings weekly through Main Street Yoga & Wellness-Oregon. For more information contact Jo Temte (jotemte@mac.com).

OUR History

  • 2014: Dane County Jail - Women’s Program established by Penny Ballantyne.

  • 2020: In-facility programming paused by jail staff during the COVID-19 pandemic; program leadership and membership dissolved.

  • 2021: Dane County Juvenile Detention Center - Program established, marking the relaunch of yoga programming at the Dane County Jail. 

  • 2022: Dane County Jail - Metro High School Program established.

  • 2023: Dane County Jail - Men’s Parenting Group & Yoga Program established.

  • 2023: Dane County Jail - Women’s Yoga Program relaunched by Jennifer Fetterly and a new cohort of yoga teachers.

  • 2024: Dane County Jail - Men’s Yoga Program established.

  • 2024: Volunteers formally came together as an informal collective under the name Rise Above Yoga (RAY). At the start of the year, the group included approximately 9 active volunteers.

  • 2025: Milestone year for growth and expansion:

    • All in-facility volunteers completed Prison Yoga Project’s Foundational Training.

    • RAY formalized its affiliation with the Prison Yoga Project.

    • Oakhill Men’s Prison Program launched by Jo Temte, the first of its kind at that facility.

    • Madison community classes launched, including a partnership with the Urban League of Greater Madison.

    • First community fundraiser held & RAY website and logo established.

    • By September 2025, RAY had grown to approximately 16 active volunteers.

What Our Participants Say

“Coming to yoga is the best part of my week. I wish we had more classes more often!” - G.W.

“The breathing techniques have really helped me to stay calm when I get frustrated or impatient.” - J.B.

“I’m so glad I decide to show up and get to receive this love.” - E.G.

“Yoga is the best. I am SO going to become a certified yoga teacher!” - A.V.

“I’m surprised at how much more I’ve learned and how much I didn’t know before.” - J.R.

“I always feel better after every class. Thanks for making space for us.” - N.N.

“I am gettin’ out and you best believe I’ll be looking for yoga classes on the outside.”- D.N.

“I’m so grateful for y’all; I can’t thank you enough for this.” - P.W.