James Fox Quotes

Actor

James Fox is a renowned British actor, born in May 1939. He has made significant contributions to both film and theater, known for his distinctive acting style and versatile character portrayals.

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All Practice Prison Prisoner Yoga Class Ifs Teach Asana Feels Focus

Famous James Fox Quotes

“There's often an assumption you're more privileged if you belong to a family with people who have made a success.”

People Ifs Made Assumption Privileged

Author:James Fox

“You will surely smile with me when I say, 'Thank God one can still recognise self-pity as such and not give it any greater dignity than just that.”

Giving Stills Self Greater Dignity Pity Thank God Recognise Self Pity

Book:White Mischief

Source: White Mischief

“It is the absence of hope, which equals the despair that is the punishment.”

Despair Absence Punishment

Book:Killer on Campus

Source: Killer on Campus

“Ninety percent of what most yoga teachers do is teach asana practice. While asana discharges stress and so forth, it was never intended to be a standalone practice. The true intent of yoga is personal transformation. What we get out of the privilege of teaching prisoners is the opportunity to focus on our own personal development. You can be of service, and, while helping others transform their lives, you have the deeper opportunity to transform your own. What we teach in prison is how we live our lives.”

“When I teach a new group of students, I introduce some yoga philosophy, but I don't overload them with information. Just enough so they understand the real tradition behind this ancient practice and that it's not a stretching class. Guys come in and they're a little nervous. I tell them that when they cross the threshold of the door, they're crossing to a different dimension. They're moving from an externally-oriented reality to an internally-oriented one.”

“I teach that the foundation for our practice is being able to go inward and disconnect from the busyness of our thoughts, that focusing the mind on bodily sensations and breath will ground us in the present moment. Yoga is about realizing who you really are, aside from your persona.”

Mind Moments Able Realizing Teach Practice Yoga Breaths Foundation Present Moment Sensations Inward Our Thoughts Persona

Author:James Fox

“If you are deeply connected with yourself, with your energy, staying awake to yourself in the moment, other prisoners tend to leave you alone.”

Ifs Moments Energy Connected Awake Staying Prisoner

Author:James Fox

“Intense asana practice - too much, too soon - can have detrimental effects. It can also promote a dissociation from the personal sensitivity and self awareness that I am trying to encourage. I don't want to contribute to furthering physical or psychological trauma.”

Want Trying Self Practice Too Much Effects Awareness Self Awareness Trauma Intense Psychological Sensitivity Dissociation Asana Detrimental Psychological Trauma

Author:James Fox

“The code that most prisoners live by is an extension of the masculine roles they were taught growing up, how they were conditioned about what it means to be a man: you've got to be strong, you've got to be tough, you've got to be in charge.”

Men Mean Strong Roles Growing Up Growing Taught Tough Code Live By Prisoner Extensions Masculine Be A Man

Author:James Fox

“Sensitivity is equated with weakness. Feelings are for women. It's OK to express happiness or anger, but it's not OK to feel fear or sadness. This gets exaggerated in prison.”

Feels Feelings Sadness Weakness Prison Sensitivity Exaggerated

Author:James Fox

“When you're on the yard, prisoner politics dictate that you only socialize with your own race. If you fraternize with other races, you can get taught a painful lesson. And there are inmates with a level of consciousness who feel it's their duty to enforce this segregation.”

Ifs Feels Levels Race Consciousness Taught Duty Lessons Painful Prisoner Yards Segregation Inmates

Author:James Fox

“Yoga class is intimate even just from the standpoint of taking off your socks. Exposing your bare feet can be a big deal. You may be an African American next to a Caucasian or a Latino. But once practice begins and we drop in, separation dissolves.”

May Bigs Next Deals Class Practice Feet Yoga Separation African American Intimate Big Deal Latino Sock Standpoint Exposing Bare Feet Caucasian

Author:James Fox

“I'm not fearful by nature, but I am vigilant. When you walk into a prison, it's important that a sixth sense kicks in.”

Important Walks Prison Kicks Fearful Vigilant Sixth Sense

Author:James Fox

“Since the late 1970's, the main focus of prisons has been punishment, not rehabilitation. It's hard to believe, but you would be hard-pressed to find a meaningful violence-prevention class in a federal or state penitentiary. And 'we the people' are footing the bill to keep these folks imprisoned. It costs on average $46,000 a year to keep an adult incarcerated in California and about the same for New York State.”

“Childhood is so important. Without a loving one, you're vulnerable throughout your life. We're all the things our parents are - the good and the not so good. Thankfully, I have a wonderful wife who's a brilliant mother.”

Important Mother Parent Wife Wonderful Childhood Brilliant Vulnerable Loving Life

Author:James Fox

About the Author

Born: May 19, 1939
Known for: Actor
Quotes: 15

Books & Sources

Killer on CampusRelated source material

White MischiefRelated source material

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