1/15/26 Live Session Recording- Welcome, Introductions, and Orientation

It was really lovely watching the recording. Despite not being able to make it to the class live, I just wanted to thank everyone for sharing so openly in their introductions. I have been feeling very lonely with some recent family members suffering with physical and mental health. Yet, watching the recording made me feel more connected to each of you. I feel so excited to learn with and from each of you. 

I grew up in a very chaotic family with parents with a lot of mental health difficulties. For much of my childhood, I created a very hard shell and became a perfectionist putting a lot of my energy into athletics. As I got older, I started having a lot of physical manifestations of my trauma, which presented as constant tightness which is what turned me to focus on yoga to begin with. As others shared, I then found the depth of the yoga practice and began to see how it was able to change my coping abilities and begin to let go of so much discomfort in my body. In addition, in medicine and in my community work, I am often in spaces presented with other's traumas. I have found that I struggle with taking on the strain of other's trauma in my own body and seeing how the system fails people can really start to impact me. I am now really focused on building on this journey to continue to release my own trauma out of my body and find a deeper yoga practice, but also so that I can show up more present and with more capacity for other's traumas. 

My intention is to show up as myself and be curious each time I show up. I want to be open to both providing a space for others to share and share what I am able with others. I will show up authentically, honestly, and self-reflective. 

Apologies for being unable to make the first meeting - I'm caught on the first session and just want to say thank you everyone for the openness and vulnerability they showed in their introductions. I'm amazed that we are from all over the world and all different experiences that have brought us together for this training. From other training programs I have been in, I know that the more open we are, the more we can gain from this training and each other and I appreciate that you all have set the stage for that by sharing your backgrounds within this space. 

I did introduce myself on the first forum, but I'm Renee and work in a youth/adult female prison - I have been there for almost 17 years and my position oversees the staff implementing all the programs in the facility. We were so lucky to have PYP start in our facility a couple of years ago and work with our amazing facilitators (I join in whenever my schedule allows!) My intentions with this training is to expand on the PYP classes that are offered within my facility already and also finding a way to support staff and their trauma working within the facility too. We all need to be healthy to bring that to those we work with. I stay so positive in my field because I do always focus on mindfulness and self care and yoga has been one of the tools I've used when I'm overwhelmed. 

I'm hoping to attend as much as possible, but also making time and space for the modules and life as it may come up over the next 20 weeks. Let's support each other as best and truly looking forward to this journey! 

Thank you all for taking the time to introduce yourselves. Hearing your words has meant more to me than I can easily express. Lately, I’ve been struggling to see humanity—to find people who echo what my soul has been searching for, people who truly care about making an impact beyond themselves. Your introductions reminded me that those people do exist. I feel genuinely inspired and grateful to be part of a group with a shared mission to support, uplift, and heal our communities. Being here already feels like a step toward hope, connection, and meaningful change.

I have the intention to learn to listen differently. I recognize that I am strong minded, and I am a fixer and doer. Some people really gravitate to that, but as I explore more fragile and vulnerable communities I am very self aware that may not always be the case.

Hi everyone, what an incredible group of people. I loved the ease and openness of the group. There was a lot of resonance and common themes that I connected with and share in my journey. I love the orientation towards community, healing and growth, and somatic awareness. I especially loved the idea of a "radical sabbatical!" I have struggled myself with a long line of employment trauma (trauma with a little "t") and have found that the striving for purpose and meaning often times makes a difficult situation more cloudy, but that embodiment and movement and presence serves as a balm. I found myself working with women/mothers who are formerly incarcerated this year and feel this strong pull to close the textbooks and do yoga and meditation with this group. I'm hoping to gain some skills in PYP and build my own practice and confidence to offer something different.

Thank you so much everyone for introducing yourselves, so honoured and welcomed to be apart of this space. I won't be attending the live sessions the next two weeks due to work, but I was able to switch my schedule to hopefully be able to attend live for the next few after. I appreciate everyone's openness and kindness, I can feel the energy from the recording that all of us want better for ourselves, others and this world and to be apart of that healing together. 

Looking forward to start the course and getting into the material. 🙂 

Thanks 

Morgan

I had a great time last Thursday and it was so fun getting to meet everyone! My intention for the next few months is to show up honestly. The readings are tough but I want to keep going and not run away from these uncomfortable feelings. Being present with what I'm feeling in the moment and leaning on this cohort for help will be a game-changer 🙂

Thank you and see you soon!

Cele

I deeply appreciated all of the stories shared in Thursday’s recording. Over the next few months, my hope is that we can all stay focused and engaged, even when the topics feel heavy or uncomfortable. Each of you has the potential to make a real difference 🙂

Thanks everyone, and I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Hello, I wasn't able to join last week. But my name is Liana. I am an LMSW, who is passionate about yoga. I am looking forward to getting know and working with you all. I also struggle with consistency (I was a member of the last cohort but didn't end up finishing 😢 ) so I hope this time around I can continue to engage, focus and set aside the necessary time and energy to finish this training. I know I can do it but I think maybe fear has held me back a bit. But I know on the other side of that fear is a lot of promise and opportunity that can come out of this amazing opportunity. So thank you for having me back. 

What really stood out was how this community holds space for all thoughts, feelings and humans while also have the hard conversations and not shrinking away from them

What stuck out to me the most in this session is what a gift it is to be in this space with such a wide variety of people! Very grateful and excited to learn with you all. 

What stood out to me the most was the willingness of the group to be open and honest with each other. For me, it's a big challenge to be vulnerable with a group of strangers in a recorded setting. I'm noticing self-doubt as I enter this learning space, what am I doing here and how am I going to create opportunities for service after this is over? The intentions I am holding for myself and for this community over the coming months include a willingness to show up and engage honestly despite the doubts and unknowns. 

I’m so glad I was able to join live for part of the session and get a bit of a feel for the community we are part of cultivating. What stood out to me is the vast experiences that brought all of into the same place, connected by a mutual desire to go deeper with yoga and be in service to others, whatever that may look like. I am inspired to continue showing up with an open heart and mind, even as I mostly interact with you all via the forum. 

• What stood out to you from our opening session? For me, it was experiencing everyone feeling comfortable in their own authentic self reflection. We will get a few stories here and there throughout our lifetime that feel relatable from childhood as well as adult experiences being shared. I haven't connected with many folks on at this depth with the exception of my own family, as they were there and witness to the abuse and neglect we endured. I appreciate how, even when sharing, feeling nervous, and doing it anyway is the best way to dig in and be venerable in trainings like this. It goes a long way to us relating to our students. 

• What are you noticing as you enter this learning space? Feels super safe and easy to open up. I missed most of this live and, wasn't able to share my own story of how I got here but watching it after was enlightening and encouraging. 

• What intentions are you holding for yourself and for this community over the coming months? Once this training is complete I would love become a facilitator to bring Yoga to local facilities near me. Eventually becoming a teacher-trainer and building a community of healers and like-minded folks near me. Trauma-informed yoga is desperately needed, the more teachers we are able to create, the better! 

My apologies for being late to the forum. I had a brief hospitalization and I’m just doing my catch up to all of you incredibly inspiring humans. 

My name is Ashley, and I’m logging in from Treaty 6 territory, residing in the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I practice Forensic Social Work, predominantly providing treatment to individuals who have been convicted of violent offences. I took the foundation training with James back about 8 years ago in LA and have been absolutely fixated on the YTT for years, and could honestly cry from gratitude at sharing the space with all of you. What an absolutely inspiring bunch to have the privilege to hold space with. Thank you!

• What stood out to you from our opening session? I was honestly absolutely inspired by the stories and introductions, particularly the candour of people who shared their lived experiences. The bravery of you all sharing your narratives has stuck with me the past week. 

• What are you noticing as you enter this learning space? I think in early days, what stands out so much to me is the shared commitment to create a safe and trauma informed space for one another. I am in awe of the tangible mutual respect that is already so visible, and communication of consent and transparency which already makes the space not only welcoming but safe for people to show up in whichever way feels comfortable for them. 

• What intentions are you holding for yourself and for this community over the coming months? For myself, I think what I’ve had to set is the intention to make sure when I enter the space that I am fully present, rather than just physically or mechanically present. I feel such gratitude and honour to be sharing this time with such incredible people, that I bring the same complete intention to the space, rather than an obligation to an outcome of completion. I am ensuring I’m fully open to receive every morsel of knowledge and experience I can.