7/23/26 Live Session Recording (Module 5)

I once again had to dip out of the session early and finished the movement portion later. I would have felt a little silly doing range of motion movements in the coffee shop I was originally in- lol! I am always sad to miss out on breakout room discussions, though, because I feel like these are the times I feel most connected to others in group.

Range of motion movements are some of my favorite things to do in sessions. I particularly love being intentional about rolling out ankles, wrists, toes, and fingers. It typically carries this fun energy where participants can giggle about all the "snap, crackle, pops" of knuckles and joints – and it just feels great to move in these ways (for me!)!

For squat/chair movements, my agency’s PYP facilitator uses a Goldilocks analogy of “Papa Bear chair” (a small bend in the knees to sit on a ‘big chair’), “Mama Bear chair” (a medium squat), and “Baby Bear chair” (an even deeper squat). And she invites participants to decide whose chair they are choosing to sit in today. I think analogies like this add some fun and personality to facilitation style, and it’s something, as a participant, I don’t forget!

I also think there is a natural opportunity for story-telling and connection when it comes to range of motion. Some folks may share about injuries or difficulties with certain movements which then prompts others to share similar stories or experiences, and so on. For example, I might share “It’s difficult for my left knee to do the lateral weight shift. I injured it a couple years back on a night out in Milwaukee”, and someone might jump in with, “Have you ever been to this restaurant in Milwaukee? They have the best tacos,” and then someone else would jump in with, “I think X restaurant has the best tacos” Etc. etc. In a way, it’s almost like an invitational opportunity to get to know each other better beyond what’s happening in the room. These small tangents are often the foundation of community-building amongst participants especially in the beginning sessions. I welcome these types of brief side-bar conversations and moments of connection as long as it’s topically appropriate and not taking away from the energy of the practice itself. 

• How has your understanding of Asteya (non-stealing) expanded beyond material possessions?

This discussion on Asteya (non-stealing) brings to my awareness how in order to practice asteya in this full spectrum, it takes a lot of open-mindedness to learn and adjust, and being extremely intentional and present to break through these barriers that are so conditioned in society of ways that we steal from ourselves and others. The idea that we can steal from our "experiences" is a concept that I don't know that I've heard expressed in this way before and it's a powerful practice with a lot of wisdom I'm grateful to be able to name and have this perspective on (as it brings up times i've experienced these sensations of my own experience of being stolen from and allows me to have awareness of how to hold space for myself and others). I love what Jen said about asteya being about "creating opportunity".

I appreciate Alejandro pointing out being gentle with ourselves as facilitators and others with the idea that we are "doing our best with what we know at the time"-being able to give ourselves grace because we are always learning and it's okay to acknowledge mistakes and ignorance when it happens-and to use these as opportunities to bring humanness and connection by acknowledging when ego or mistakes happen.

• What observations arose during our exploration of physical and emotional range of motion?

I really appreciate the discussion after the movement exploration about how as facilitators we can use the practice as a way of sharing ahimsa by leading with curiosity, not judgement, about our range of motion by bringing awareness through inquiry and normalization to how our physical and emotional range of motion is different in each moment, in each day. It's such a simple and powerful practice of noticing, that yoga has the ability to share through connecting and being present with our bodies. I loved Jen sharing the example of face yoga- and how the exploration can begin as small as it needs to.

• Is there a moment from our discussion, movement practice, or workshop that you'll carry forward into your own personal practice or facilitation?

I will definitely carry forward into my own personal practice, life, and facilitation these perspectives on non-stealing from these lenses of not only material items, but non-stealing from other's and our own experiences-it's such a wise teaching. --doing my best to be mindful of creating opportunities for others by being present, observing, listening, and taking action from this place of being with "what is", not from any expectations, and also with the encouragement from y'all that we are all human and to give ourselves grace.

Also I really loved the Jen vacation slide 🙂 Beautiful job all 🌻 

Thank you <3

i really appreciated this session. when jen first said asteya was her favorite yama i was actually surprised as i had never really felt a connection to this one. by the end of session though my personal journal was filled with thoughts. as an extension of my thoughts about satya, asteya has transformed to me to mean: allow others the freedom of their experience. when i started thinking about asteya as theft of agency and autonomy, my relationship to this yama changed. when i started this training i think i was attached to a certain kind of yoga teaching/cueing and i found the more open invitational style to be a little dysregulating. my traumatized body was used to settling when under instruction, and not used to exploring what it wanted on its own. i now see the ways that certain kinds of yoga instruction stole aspects of my self-exploration and i'm glad to see things through another framework.