Practice
I noticed I felt quite unsettled before practice as my mind was full of racing thoughts. I had the urge to stand up, and it became clear that this was my body responding directly to my mind. I realised that, in the past, I would run or hike the longest and hardest routes to feel like I had “earned” rest - as if stillness had to be justified.
Learning
During the session, I appreciated being able to listen rather than speak, giving myself time to process what was being said and relating it. I was reminded how powerful it can be, as a facilitator, to name what I’m feeling. This also echoed something that came up in my class: reassurance that I am doing the right thing when I encourage others to trust the process, especially when they’re not sure why certain emotions arise.
Appreciating the reminder that sometimes we’re simply not able, or not ready, to make sense of what we’re feeling. It’s enough to notice the shift, even when it hasn’t fully formed. The body and brain aren’t quite connecting yet, as I felt before practice, and that’s okay. The practice is in listening to those parts of ourselves.
8 limbs of yoga
Showing up as your authentic self, even when you’re struggling. Bringing gentle awareness, mindfulness, and offering invitational language all support this.
Breath
Noting the following points about the breath: - The exhale communicates safety to the body. Instead of letting the mind dictate, allow the body to choose the cues. Let the breath find you. Notice when you’re inhaling, when you’re exhaling, and how your body responds.
What stood out to me the most about the movement practice in this session was its accessibility. Even for those with limited mobility, little energy to stand, or not much space to practice yoga, this session made it possible. I appreciated the reminders throughout the movement to check in with our bodies. The practice was trauma-informed and met me where I was mentally and physically. It highlighted the duality that yoga embodies, which I find truly beautiful. Thank you.
Since I’m a Pisces, I’ve always had a strong personal connection to the theme of water. I love seeing water, being in it, and hearing it, especially waves crashing. What stood out to me, though, was realizing that I was never intentional with the practice of drinking water lol.
When Jen talked about still having a “protest brain,” I immediately felt that. It resonated deeply, especially knowing that I helped organize the Toronto vigil on January 28 for ICE victims and against state violence. That connection between activism, nervous system activation, and practice felt very real for me.
Like Brit shared, there have been moments recently where I’ve been able to fully release, which made me appreciate Jen’s point that sometimes the body simply isn’t ready yet. What April shared especially resonated with me, as I also wasn’t always allowed to fully feel my emotions as a child, even though my parents meant well.
I appreciated how much accessibility was emphasized, including demonstrating the most accessible versions of postures without pressure to advance. I realized I was so used to competitive fitness environments that I never really thought about starting in a chair. Seeing that modeled, and how effective it was, really shifted my perspective into teacher mode.
Finally, the reflections on values and direction hit home. The concepts of saucha (purity as clarity), santosha (contentment not being the same as happiness), and svadhyaya (feel good about being you) felt grounding and applicable beyond the mat. ✨