Joshua Kipe: From Solitary Confinement to Yoga Instructor

Joshua Kipe's journey to becoming a yoga instructor began in the most unlikely of places - solitary confinement. At a low point in his life, struggling with addiction and incarceration, Joshua received an unexpected gift that would change the course of his life. 

"Somebody slid a meditation and yoga book under my door, and it saved my sanity," Joshua recalls. "I was there for about a year and a half. There were no pictures or anything to go by. So I was just reading this book, it didn't even have a cover."

With nothing but time and this mysterious book, Joshua began to explore yoga and meditation.

"I would spend about six hours a day, just practicing meditation and doing yoga movements, envisioning these movements in my own mind and it helped me keep my sanity."

A Path to Transformation

Upon his release, Joshua was determined to change his life. He threw himself into yoga and meditation practices offered through his treatment program. As he searched for a new direction in life, he had an epiphany.

"Finally one day it hit me when I was at a Dharma meeting, maybe I should do what I'm passionate about. So I started looking up schools and I found ISSA. I engulfed myself in it and it's completely changed my life."

Joshua enrolled in ISSA's Yoga 200 course, eager to deepen his practice and gain the skills to share yoga with others. The experience of completing the course and holding his yoga certification was transformative. 

"I remember crying that day and just the sense of accomplishment that I gained from that was unlike anything else I've ever felt."

Paying It Forward

Now a certified yoga instructor, Joshua is passionate about sharing the healing power of yoga, especially with those in recovery.

"I'm able to bring that to people in recovery. I'm currently working as a BHT [Behavioral Health Technician] now at Pinnacle Peak Recovery. They just started allowing me to teach classes here on Saturdays."

Joshua finds deep fulfillment in connecting with students and witnessing their transformations. 

"My first class here was well attended and we've got 32 people signed up for tomorrow's class. It's amazing to see people come in, even those dealing with mental health issues, and leave feeling so much better. When I see that transformation, when they realize 'Hey, this yoga thing actually works for me,' it just lights me up inside. I can't help but smile every time. It's why I love doing this."

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A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Joshua sees yoga playing a central role in his life and career:

"Eventually, I want to open up my own recovery center and have [yoga] as one of the major practices so that people can experience and understand the things that have helped me through addiction and the life that I was living so I can give that back to people. That is my ultimate goal."

Between the time Joshua spoke with ISSA and the time this blog was published, he launched his own LLC and is now the proud business owner of Soulprana.

For those considering ISSA's Yoga 200 course, Joshua offers this heartfelt advice:

"If you approach it with an open heart and an open mind, then it can change your life and benefit you for the rest of your existence here on this planet. If you commit yourself to something, if you focus on you and why you're doing it, your intention behind it. If that's something that connects with you and speaks to you, then you will change your life forever."

Joshua Kipe's story is the kind that makes you believe in second chances and the power of finding your passion. For anyone looking to make a positive change in their life, Joshua's story proves that yoga might just be the key to unlocking a whole new you.