Inmate yoga improves behavior in prison

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (NBC/RTV) - A prison in Rio de Janeiro is offering yoga classes in an effort to improve inmate behavior.

Yoga probably isn't the first thing to come to mind when you think about prison, but officials at this penitentiary say it makes a difference in how the prisoners behave.

Around 40 inmates participate in yoga classes once a week.

The initiative was launched two years ago by the Art of Living Foundation.

The foundation also offers classes to convicts after they've been released, so they can maintain balance -- both with their bodies and in their lives.