After trying out different majors at other colleges, Miranda Viorst chose sociology at CU Boulder. Or rather, sociology chose her.
"Sociology came flying out of nowhere and hit me in the face," Viorst said. "I didn’t even know what sociology was. When I looked at course descriptions in the sociology program here, it sounded fascinating. I knew this was what I wanted."
In the pursuit of a fulfilling career, some people follow a winding path. Studying a variety of topics, Viorst went from art to community to international development, and then took time off to go to India. The trail eventually led her to CU Boulder, where she transferred as a junior to study sociology. She is graduating in May.
Before coming to Boulder, Viorst had taken yoga teacher training. Her yoga instructor shared his experiences teaching in prisons through The Prison Yoga Project (PYP). The organization’s mission of helping incarcerated men and women build better lives through yoga and mindfulness appealed to Viorst and she took the PYP training.
Wanting to be of service, Viorst volunteered to conduct research and help with the development of the PYP program in Boulder. One of her sociology professors suggested Viorst write an honors thesis on yoga in prisons, which led her to interview eight former inmates of California’s San Quentin State Prison. The men all had participated in PYP for anywhere from eight months to 10 years before their release. Based on her interviews, Viorst learned they had all benefited from the transformational, rehabilitative value of yoga.
"Yoga is a remarkable tool for self-healing and rehabilitation," she said. "I found that it was effective in a number of positive outcomes for the men, including reduction of aggressive tendencies, increased compassion, enhanced emotional intelligence and self-awareness, and a desire for community participation. Most of the men are still practicing yoga."
She is writing a report on her findings for PYP to send to other institutions showing the program’s benefits.
"The physical practice of yoga is just the tip of the iceberg," she said. "Yoga is a spiritual system originating in ancient India that is intended to connect the single person’s self with the divine infinite self to help a person recognize their true nature. There’s a lot of meditation, breath work and attention to a person’s inner landscape."
While living in Boulder, Viorst has "fallen in love with a community of activists and young change-making people" who host weekly community gatherings where she felt a sense of belonging.
"The feeling of togetherness and being part of a tribe was incredibly powerful," she said. "I wanted to be part of it and now I am."
This summer Viorst will be leading a wilderness trip with a group of young people from around the United States with an organization called Bold Earth Teen Adventures. The organization runs numerous trips every summer and Viorst could be placed on a trip anywhere in the world, from Thailand to Australia or even in Colorado.
By following a seemingly random path and now armed with a sociology degree, Viorst is ready for whatever comes next.
"I don’t know what will happen," Viorst said. "I’ve had quite a few different jobs and I feel like I’m qualified enough for whatever I apply for. I’m choosing not to be worried about it right now. Nothing is speaking to me yet."
But when it does, she will be equipped to listen and take the next step.
