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!