2/12/26 Live Session Recording (Module 3)

I am thankful for this recording, but wish I could have attended in person this week and asked a question to brain storm in a small group discussion.

I facilitate a strength and yoga class bi-weekly at a women's transitional correctional facility where they are finishing the last year of their sentences in a new space.

Many folks in the class experience their year there as a second chance and a time where they are deeply considering their traumas/how to move forward. They didn't expect to get this transitional time and feel supported. Other folks in the class are deeply overwhelmed and under-served in this "final stretch." They are still separated from their loved ones, treated by so many as "less than," and the transitional space becomes great pressure to sort everything out at once. 

We always end with a guided meditation and I never want it to be a time where platitudes like "making the best of suffering" are tossed around. It often feels like guided meditations can reward those that "just look at the bright side." I want to honor those in my class that are actively still suffering and create meditations and spaces for them to feel embodiment, peace, and movement. 

If anyone has meditations and approaches to bridge an inclusive space when people are experiencing suffering so different, I am ALL EARS! 🙂 Once again, so thankful for this space and for everyone's hearts/insights. 

Hi there - thank you as well for this recording. Really appreciate it. 

I thoroughly enjoy the range of movement exercises Jen facilitates. I find them surprisingly fun and a great way to connect mind body movement. Having practiced very strong yoga of the years, it's nice to see other ways to incorporate a calmer more accessible practice. 

I didn't feel the voice in my head saying 'push yourself' a little bit harder as it was a gentle class which didn't give a sense of 'competition'. Thanks Jen. 

Having not done a recording before, I can see the benefit of including this. Think it's very helpful and a nice way to reflect with peers - or see what they reflect on.

Ahimsa is top of mind for me this week as I am getting conflicting opinions from a lady I am in communication with as I used her pilates space to teach a yoga class in the hope that I could teach there more often. I intertwined some healing yoga techniques into it and she said to me that the class could have been a lot more challenging and long story short a few other comments which weren't warranted. It wasn't necessary from her however I can see that perhaps my teaching is aligned to her space and that's ok. We have to try things to see if it's going to work otherwise we don't know. She approached her commentary in an interesting manner - in more of a harming manner - which instills in me even more the importance of practicing ahimsa to all, as hard as it can be at times. 

With all that is going on in our world and the very real feeling to break from society and run to the woods... Ahimsa has been a grounding reminder that the initial thoughts are from a place of survival and fight or, in this case, flight. Either way, harm would be the end result emotionally for those who depend on me as well as losing my own community of which I also share thoughts and emotions with. 

I learned a lot about my own nervous system's capacity and response after experiencing shingles. I was in bed for almost three months and had a lot of time to reflect on my own ability to override that system to "keep up" with societal and familial expectations. It changed the way I respond, saying no more often to stressors that pre-shingles me would have said yes to out of guilt or familial responsibility etc... During the movements, I chose to take it easy and not lift my right arm at all as I am healing from an injury or maybe an old emotion or possibly frozen shoulder from perimenopause. The thing for me now is that I understand how much easier it is to heal from any variety of those issues in my tissues when I allow myself rest, even if it is in just that one spot or whole body. At the same time, I encourage students to take care the same way when they come to me experiencing something in their own body. 

I was activated by some sharing but, some saying they would have quit if it wasn't for the support they feel here. I do teach yoga during most of the live sessions so I am usually responding here to the recording, and very much appreciate everyone who can and, do share their experiences live. 

Even though I have studied the Yoga Sutras for years, there always seems to be a new perspective on how to examine them. Thanks Jen for the way you add your own insight as well as teaching what has been written by others. Added a few books to my library based on this session.

I really enjoyed this recording! Ahimsa really resonated with me. As a Social Worker I take the oath I took very seriously of “do no harm.” However, I am realizing more and more that I do not meet myself with that same compassion and understanding. As a response to trauma I have put my body through a lot, I can more easily access gratitude and be grateful that my body continues to support me and show up for me. However my relationship with self and body and showing compassion and love towards self continues to be a struggle for me. Really taking time this week to reflect on the questions that were asked throughout the recording and continue to explore my relationship with self!

I am grateful that I have the opportunity to experience this class in a different way even when I can't make it in real time.

I notice my body feels more relaxed watching the recording. I think this is because I know that I do not have to engage in the same ways.
I noticed how this can be helpful in some situations. Sometimes, I think we are so focused on how we are going to respond, that we forget to truly listen.
This allowed more space for me to listen since I didn't have to think about what I wanted to say.

I just had a major nasal surgery and I wasn't able to participate in the movement exercise. This experience has been uncomfortable, I've had to change the way I sleep, and I haven't been able to move my face much,
or smile, which can sometimes feel like being "caged". It is always in the back of my mind that this is only temporary. I went through something personal that was painful, and I felt like I wasn't able to fully
express my emotions because my body can't handle the symptoms right now. Despite all of the discomfort, it is showing me how much I have learned about listening and caring for my body. My heart has also been going out to
those who have had similar experiences.

I have thought a great deal about non-harm throughout my lifetime.
This brought up a quote that opened my mind many years ago. It was "The questions is not 'What can I do to feel better?' But rather, 'How do I stop fueling my own suffering?'"

We can't control what happens to us, but we can transcend the way we relate to what happens. I finally realize that the first truth is about clarity, and seeing life how it is.
The third truth is about empowerment, and realizing that freedom comes from how you meet it.

I've realized that once you start healing, your body's natural intelligence becomes something you can trust again,
and that real wholeness happens when both (reflection and embodied truth) begin to speak the same language.

When I first started thinking about Ahimsa, it was clarifying because it sharpened my awareness of how every thought, word, and action carries energy.
I began to see how subtle forms of harm (judgement, resentment, self-criticism) also violate gentleness.

I think in the beginning it felt challenging because true non-violence asks for honesty about habits rooted in fear or self-protection.
I realized how easily boundaries blur when kindness is equated with passivity, and how self-neglect hides under the name of compassion.

I think it can be activating for many because it awakens empathy. I think once people really realize interconnectedness, they start re-evaluating how they consume, communicate, and care for themselves and others.
It becomes less about obeying a "rule" and more about embodying true reverence for life.

Here are some questions that I've had over the years:
What is the real nature of the self, beneath my roles and narratives?
What does discipline mean in a world that glorifies ease?
(The world glorifies comfort and convenience, not true ease. Convenience asks for less of our presence (it's about speed, shortcuts, having things done for you.)
Ease, though, asks for more of our presence. It's the grace that appears when life aligns with our values, when what we do and what we need are not in conflict.
I think discipline in this sense isn't about force; it's devotion. It's what protects the conditions where ease can actually exist (choosing nourishment over numbness, quality over quantity, depth over distraction.
The world sells "ease" as escape; real ease is engagement without strain.)
Can stillness coexist with ambition?
If the goal is union, what do I need to surrender that keeps me separate?
What does it mean to practice non-attachment while still deeply caring?

I was grateful for the discussion around the nature of suffering and particularly the critique Jen offered of the assumption that suffering is not only a given but a necessity for life. While I do agree with the premise that life is suffering- duality causes friction! I do think that can and has been used in dangerously reductionist ways to close our hearts to others suffering rather than to open them. I LOVED the direct connection of "suffering is necessary/good" to capitalism. I long have created an identity around my suffering and wore as a badge of honor my ability to "do hard things". A few years ago I realized this need to be able to do hard things perpetuated me making my life harder than it needed to be. I unconsciously would create obstacle in order to affirm this aspect of myself. I totally agree that people dont need to suffer in order to appreciate things, especially when were talking basic human needs like food security, hot water, clean, safe environments to live and play and safe, attuned connections to others.

I was able to attend half of the live session and had to watch the recording for the rest. I really appreciated the movement practice and how accessible it was compared to my previous yoga practice, which was constantly about pushing the limits. I think one lady talked about that in the breakout room session, how to be more compassionate with yourself when getting older. Our bodies simply aren't made to continue at the same speed, agility, endurance, strength, capacity that they may have in our 20s and 30s and that's okay. It's a natural part of life. I found myself appreciating that I could do some of the movements sitting down if I wanted or choose to stand and expand the movements as Jen was modeling. In our western culture, society often conditions us to be eternally young/youthful/energetic, but slowing down internally (within our own nervous system) and externally with our postures/movement is restorative energetically and profoundly healing. I'm also digging deep into the practice of Ahimsa as I'm working on my inner self-critic/narrative. Many times, it's easier for me to have grace and practice non-harm towards others, rather than myself. I've been challenging myself asking why this is so difficult for me and I think it goes way back to childhood (which I won't get into here).

I also appreciated the one woman on the recording talking about choosing one yoga sutra to focus on at a time, as it can be very overwhelming to focus on all of them at once (despite them all being important and overlapping i.e. pranayama, asana, niyama, etc). Currently, most of my self-reflection is focusing on the Yamas, specifically Ahimsa, Vairagya & Aparigraha to prepare my mind and body, for the asana and pranayama practices. I really appreciate the way Jen models always coming back to the breath after a posture/movement or two to regulate the nervous system, checking in with our bodies and notice what's happening energetically. 

Anchor Breath Discussion

• I was thinking about the anchor breath and the pause that we discussed. I was really amazed by what everyone shared. I feel the anchor breath really does help me and I noticed how I was able to use this throughout the week in some sticky situations. I am also working through a nervous system regulation course and this is a big piece of that work too, and I have found it to be an effective strategy in a number of different situations. It is helpful when I am just upset through the day and need support for myself, or when I am about to respond or unsure of how to respond, as well as when I am triggered.
• I think something that I am noticing however is my perfectionism creeping back in specifically to this. In the situations where I didn’t react perfectly, I think I am still “disappointed” in myself and in the ones where I didn’t get it right. Even though, I can look back and say I am using the breath strategy and I am taking a pause, I still notice the perfectionism creeping in. Like I think sometimes I feel like the pause and anchor breath should just provide the right answer or if I do that that it will impact the person I’m interacting with. But, I have to remind myself that I can only navigate my own nervous system and not other peoples. So, where I often struggle is when I take the breath and I still don’t know what to say or do. I feel more calmed and I’m proud in those moments that I’m doing something instead of reacting and I have really had to focus on being proud of myself versus focusing on the end result right now. I can’t help how others respond, even if I change the way I interact and communicate. For instance, with family members sometimes when I don’t respond and am pausing and taking a breath or using those strategies, they react as though I am doing something wrong by stepping back. With one of my family members, they like rolled their eyes at me and it almost activated them in some way that I didn’t have our normal argument, and I wasn’t giving them the reaction they were expecting. One mentioned that I was just avoiding getting negative feedback (while they were intoxicated and starting an argument). So, I really have to trust and believe in myself and the process of growth because it’s still new to not react in some situations and I don’t always have the right words. I have to trust that calming my nervous system is the priority and that those around me will be okay with that.
• I really appreciated when Leaf shared about their experience and noted that they tend to be a reactionary person because that is definitely me when I am too activated. I appreciated them referring to it as reacting vs responding and I like that idea. While I might not always have the right answer, it’s an easy way for me to check in – am I reacting or responding?
• Thank you to April who shared about their advocacy work. I am really passionate about advocacy, and I just want to express my gratitude for those around the country who show up and advocate to legislators, etc. It really is impactful across the country for so many so thank you so much!

Range of Motion Exercise

• I really enjoyed this exercise, and I enjoyed how it was structured. I also think this is a great way for people to start exploring their range of motion. I love the connection to range of motion off the mat and I think this yoga program has really re-invigorated the yoga-off-the-mat lifestyle and thinking about how to take what I learn and how I grow on the mat into my daily life.

Thank you for this session. I get a lot from the different perspectives and interpretation's from others during the breakout rooms. All the yoga terminology is brand new to me, the wording of the slides (grateful of the interpretations from Jen) are like a foreign language right now, I suppose it would be like reading the bible and understanding it all first time. I will look to improve my knowledge here outside of these sessions. just a question on pain is inevitable but suffering is a choice. I lost my nan this week, it has been my first experience of loss of anyone on my inner circle -when it comes to bereavement if you don't go through the painful suffering part then surely it will show up later? I can't choose not to suffer all the time as that is avoidance right? I couldn't connect properly in the movement section, either because I didn't join live or my headspace didn't help perhaps. I'm still find it really useful, the language Jen uses to be more inviting and non-judgemental for my own teaching.

One more question - how do you minimise harm in this scenario? The things you find triggering is the 'paint the wall' avoidance or denial you get from your mother. Jen you mentioned this being the difference with yourself and your mother, how do you navigate it without shutting that person off completely. other than minimising the contact? 

I´m a bit late with participating this session - but finally made it! I´m sick at the moment, fluish with fever. So I couldn´t do the movement practise (yet), but it made me think that the concept of personal space and ahimsa are deeply connected. When I´ve lived a period of no personal space, it has been deeply traumatizing and affected the way how I was treating my loved ones. So this kind of practice where you are in a group setting, connecting and exploring your space, and being noticed and appreciated while doing so, it is healing, re-integrating.

Thank you for the opportunity to follow the break out discussions. I´ve been a bit sad of not being able to participate those, so this was very welcome.

Somebody mentioned in their comment that watching the recording was less activating than participating the live sessions. I share that experiennce, because I´ve had difficult to show up and speak out in the live sessions. Language barrier seems to grow higher when I´m supposed to show up, and my mind becomes empty, not in an enlightened way but more like dissosiative way 😏 

So maybe it´s ok to participate this way and not require more than I´m able to. There are a lot of things going on in my life, I´m strongly expanding out into the world and towards other people, which has been a miracle of yoga for some years for me. And now it seems like it´s carrying fruit and I will be able to both serve and also flourish and be visible more as the real me! Appearing in my space, not dis-appearing or dis-assosiating, like I used to. So there´s clearly a need for rest and ease, and the nervous system can be relied when it tells that here´s my border.

Thank you, this was very thought-awakening 🤩 

I just wanted to express while I am so thankful for the latitude of being able to attend class on our own time, that I truly miss the weeks where I am unable to attend due to missing out the breakout sessions. Ahimsa is a concept i originally learned over 20 years ago in an intro undergrad university class, and always remembered seeing videos of individuals who deeply live this value and wear masks to ensure they do not even accidentally inhale an insect, etc. I have been thinking of this a lot lately on both a personal and professional level as someone who provides treatment to a forensic population for their use of violence. We discuss the use of instrumental (goal oriented) versus reactive violence. There is a semantic chasm between the two, however bias between which is classified by the public. We often do not acknowledge the many strengths and survival amongst people who engage in violence. Similarly, we rarely acknowledge the harm that occurs by silence in the face of the suffering or harm of others. We are coached by our regulatory bodies to be neutral, objective, non commital, never self disclose. This creates harm and confusion for people. Similar to the bystander effect, as we assume someone else will speak up, or fear saying the wrong thing rather than apologizing later. We avoid liability. People sign waivers. In systems where there is no support, or shelters are full, we want to hope someone else will repair this, which is absolutely not the case.

Thank you so much for this recording, Jen, and to all on this forum for their thoughtful responses. I've missed the live sessions the past couple of weeks, but I'm grateful to be an observer on the recorded breakout rooms and to have the new experience of engaging with the forums in this way. I am grateful, in particular, for other commenters' observation of feeling less activated by watching recorded breakouts and the feelings of dissociation that can come up in the live sessions when asked to speak/participate. I underestimated going into the training how challenging this would be, and it feels soothing to know I'm not the only one with this experience.

Relating those feelings of in-session activation to to discussion of Ahimsa during this session, I sometimes struggle knowing when to tap into inner courage move through feelings of activation for the sake of engagement and connection, and when to honor my body's signals and allow myself some space and compassions to opt out of the thing that's activating me. While I can be prone to over-thinking, it feels like it's can be easier said than done to truly know what is more self-harming in those moments, as it feels like there is a cost to either option. This can lead me to feel stuck. I loved what someone in the recording said as this relates to yoga and the body: that you instinctively know the difference between discomfort and harm. Like when you're stretching a muscle, you know the line between "too much, that hurts" and the outer edges of your comfort zone where growth happens. Much like the discussion in the recorded breakout room, I think I have so many experiences of someone or myself convincing me that "too much, that hurts" is just how growth is supposed to feel that I sometimes no longer completely trust myself to intuitively know this. Applying this to our current political moment, I think this is how harm and violence become normalized, like the air we breathe, and why yoga can be such a radical opportunity to recalibrate this intuition. 

Hi everyone, 

I am a little slow catching up, but I do appreciate the ability to go at our own pace! While I have been practicing yoga for some time, I'm still getting used to the language such as kleshas, so I am really working on that side of things! I always appreciate how open the group is and sharing where they are at and how they are doing! 

I really enjoyed this look at Ahimsa - non-harm. This is always something that I think about and it is something that without knowing the terminology, I have been working on. It also a topic that I try and openly discuss in my work place, in a prison setting.

There is such a balance and dynamic of this in a prison setting as an officer and someone who has been in this position for a long time. I do often have to take on a role of delivering bad news, that while sometimes out of my control is still associated with me. I know sometimes people just seeing me in uniform, and I create that impression for others. I have to actively use who I am to help overcome that. What is currently going on with law enforcement makes it extra difficult to come in to a space and embracing a non-harm because those actions really impact us all. I am always conscious of the harm that may be caused because of this and then work extra hard to help change impressions and show that this side of law enforcement or prison staff exists. 

Loved this lesson so much! Ahimsa is something that I learned in my Hatha YTT and has been life changing. Practicing non harm to both oneself and those around can be challenging in todays world, but so important to practice and teach!

I am really enjoying the movement sessions as they are somewhat different than what is taught in a traditional YTT and the movements and actions make complete sense. Thank you Jen for reminding me that I am allowed to take up and use the space my body needs, sometimes we forget 🙂 

I also really enjoyed seeing the breakout sessions and hope that one day I will be able to join live. 

I am so grateful to be taking this course with all of you!