3/27/25 Live Session Recording (Module 8)

This has got to be my favorite limb so far. Observing my sleep patterns has been a little bit of the norm for me but, not in a relaxing way without expectations or comparison or trying to reach a set point. Sleeping, beds, night time, these have been unwelcomed spaces for me. I wanted to participate in this opportunity in a safe way, When I wake up in the middle of the night I visualize doing the movement sequences and wake up in the morning so excited and ready to start my day. I couldn’t even improve how happy I wake up lol.  I noticed by doing this my jaw isn’t sore. I don’t wake up with the gritting tension. I’d like to build a bedtime sequence in a bed to see if that helps create a sense of safety for my sleeping self. I feel that this observation is one I’d like to continue into next week.  

The mid point happy dance! I am so appreciative to be here with you all and coming this far. It excites me like that phrase “you can’t mess up what’s meant for you.”. I am looking into finding more opportunities to observe in this area. SLC had a block party today for new mental health crisis center. I went and introduced myself to some of the staff looking for volunteer opportunities and took a tour. After listening to Blair’s interview with the ladies at Humane Prison Hospice Project  I was looking for grass areas for guest to be barefoot and murals of life and positivity and hopeful for water trickles or something besides the clinical look but, it had facility wardrobe on it. I remember how Patch Adams was focused on improving the quality of life and well being. I could feel my flame fizzle out and my “gut instinct’ was trying to sing some Kendrick, They not like us lol I just had to laugh it off and come back to me. Exactly, how Jen was saying about Letting go and tapping back into your mindfulness. 

I have never heard of The Gatekeeper before. “Is it true?” This comes to mind when people say that’s funny but, don’t laugh. I am going to call myself out on this. Yesterday, I got off work and my step dad wanted to talk about unimportant things ( from my perspective rambling) all I wanted to do was spend a few hours before bed studying but, I didn’t know how to cut the conversation off politely. None of my responses were true because I didn’t care about talking. I wanted to do what I wanted to do. It probably wasn’t necessary for me to even respond but, I was trying to be kind but, I wasn’t being kind to myself. I backed myself into a corner it felt. Looking into how I can respond in situations like this with kindness for myself and the other person is something I’d like to bring more awareness of to myself. Recognizing my ignorances in this area. I also feel that because this person caused me trauma, my body is prone to acting in a flight state, overriding all other systems. So maybe being able to clear the clutter internal and external allowing my gut instinct to lead the way not old systems of survival. 

The chair sequence was fantastic! When doing the side bends I grabbed a yoga block for each side of the chair to practice on the lowest level (out of my comfort zone) I could totally see using different size balls or rollers to substitute the marching. Even bringing in a pool noodle for assisting back bend (leaning back in chair) or neck rolls or strap usage or just cool lightsaber moves lol. The pauses, where Jen pumps the brakes are still my favorite because they are so unexpected and it causes a beautiful redirection. I chose to listen on this session and be note free but, did draw a little pigeon doing an accessible tree pose. 

YTT Module 8 

3/25/25

MIDWAY through our classes! 

I appreciate Jen knowing we all have different learning styles and not putting press on us to finish by June 5th. 

Be in attendance with each class

Create a 45 minute class

Final reflection of experience within the class an medium can used for this

Can assist with getting in touch with a regional coordinator

I appreciate, Jen, emphasizing she is there to support us instead of TESTING us!

Focusing on SAUCHA-

Purity from the profits and sages.  What does it mean to you?  Is this the best word for what it means today?

“Water that is too pure has no fish” thanks Andy for this quote.  How does purity compare to impurity? Purity often brings up negative connotations.  To me it is similar to perfectionism and that is hard to live up.  I liked how Michelle has us all come into the world pure!

I agree with Darnelle that purity often brings up negative connotations.

Purity word might create harm:  Neat, Clear, Proper, Modest, Virginity, Demure

Maybe we should use the word CLARITY instead of PURITY to change this perception.  Maybe the word would be ORGANIC not either pure or clarity?  How does this help you define Saucha.

Free of toxins or toxicity. Are we aligned with our moral compass.  Are we creating an unsure earth? 

How are we personally nourished?  Being authentic? Our moral compass is our GUT INSTINCT.  Paying attention to where you need a timeout is a form of purity/being organic to yourself. 

The Niyamas are your internal checklist of how your are being true to yourself? 

Practice of yoga is reducing harm while noticing what you are doing to impact yourself or others.  Trust your body and your whole being as to how you respond to opportunities.  This helps us be our most pure and organic self.

I also practice a 4th gate to Rumi’s 3.  Is now the right time to say it?What is Social Justice Saucha to you?  Women’s rights, Jim Crow laws, Healthcare, Lgbtqia + acceptance, mass incarceration? Ugly Laws in Chicago development disabilities anything unpleasing to the eye.  Result thankfully was the ADA!

Competency is the pillar of support for practicing Saucha. Therefore we continue to learn. 

Practicing SAUCHA

Clearing the clutter , following gut instincts, continue your education, understanding your passions and how they sustain you.  Am I doing too much?  Is this causing me harm?  Am I being true and real to my authentic self?  How can I sustain what I am doing?

GREAT CHAIR Practice!  I feel really good.  Have a great week everyone.  Thank you!

Sorry I couldn't make last week's live session. 

Saucha:

I'm not a big fan of the word "purity," mainly because society has placed a definition on the word that is usually misogynistic. Next time you're at a wedding and someone comments that the bride's dress is not white, just think about society setting the bar for that standard. 

The gut instinct discussion was interesting. I believe in gut instinct, and when I taught high school seniors, I would advise them to believe in it, especially for the girls. If your gut is telling you something doesn't feel right about a situation, get out of it. Your gut might not always be right, but it will help you most of the time. 

I like the "Before you speak" slide. It costs nothing to be kind, and if need be, not responding is also a response. 

Chair sequence:

I liked the chair sequence. One of the things that came to mind was what if there were no yoga mats available for students to use, or they were locked away, or no one knew where they were. Chair yoga is a viable option. Also, what if the students were less mobile? Chair yoga would also be a great alternative. 

Some poses, like tree pose, would benefit from students being able to hold onto a chair, especially if they hadn't tried the pose before.

Was also sad to miss last week's session, but grateful all sessions get recorded and that we have the opportunity to revisit material and move at our own pace. 

In the opening discussion of sleep habits I related to when Alejandro was talking about how he has never truly had good rest. I started experiencing SA at the age of 6 and it often happened throughout the night. I'm sharing that to say that I don't have a great relationship with sleep either. Sometimes I have an insufferable time trying to fall asleep, I'll wake up on high alert out of nowhere, I've experienced terrible sleep paralysis, night terrors, and teeth grinding. In more recent years I've found myself falling into deeper sleep. Sometimes I have no problem with falling asleep, but then even after I wake up and have gotten adequate sleep, I don't want to get out of bed. These past few years, since the pandemic, I've also been dreaming again. I've realized I went through a period of time where I couldn't remember any dreams I was having. My sleep routine and making a schedule that I stick to is a work in progress.

The feelings that came up when Purity was discussed, was inadequacy and shame. As someone who tends towards perfectionism, especially growing up in a Christian community, I can see how I, often, unconsciously am striving for purity though I know it's unattainable. I also liked Andy's quote, “Water that is too pure has no fish”, and my therapist has said something similar. No one wants someone who is perfect or entirely pure. Makes me think about babies, because they come out pure, but we bear witness as they almost go through a de-purification process so that they can survive in this environment. Leading me to believe that it's necessary for our survival in this life to not be entirely pure. To be able to have imperfections and grit is important.

I liked the chair sequence because it was less stress on my body. As we move through this trauma informed course I'm gradually realizing how important interoception is and recognize that smaller movements are what helps us to safely tune into our bodies. To me, using a chair is similar to using blocks. There are many who don't like to use props, because they value exercising their full scale of strength and resilience. However, it's important, when we want to mindfully build strength, to use any and all support available. Not because we NEED it, but because it can help us to get stronger in ways we never would've realized without that support.

I am not a fan of the word purity because it immediately implies something otherwise is impure. But I understand Saucha is the image of purity based on the organic self free of outside influence. I liked to think I practice Saucha in my diet because I place great value on eating organic and foods free of toxins or pesticides. I also do not like to wear synthetic fabrics and shower often imagining the impurities of my day melting off my skin. I think everybody has their out purity rituals- its interesting to me!

Best,

Andrea Vila

Hello, coming back to this module as I joined for most of the session but not all. Sleep for me has mostly been good and a positive experience, I don't have many issues around sleep except that at times I tend to want to stay up and not give myself enough rest, it's nice to have a partner who will hold me accountable and encourage me to go to bed at a reasonable time. I tend to not be able to really sleep in and get up early in the morning so it's important for me to go to bed early. I think it's the teenager part of me that comes out and wants to stay up late and do things that I know aren't actually good for me lol. Rest on the other hand has been a work in progress of giving myself space and time to rest, not make plans, have downtime. I tend to like to fill my schedule with to-do things or keep busy, and currently I am trying to simplify and give myself more breathing room. 

Purity seems to have some baggage and not so great connotations, I think cleansing/purifying is an important practice. For me, I have chants/sutras that I like to listen and recite every morning which help me start in a way that feels refreshing and clarifying. I also like the practice of setting goals for myself with the new year as well as a way to refresh. Additionally, I really enjoy the ritual of going to a sauna, there is a community one near where I live, and the feeling of purification/detoxification that this offers. I was lucky enough to visit Finland with my husband about a year ago and I loved the cultural practice of going to the sauna as part of milestones in life and also as a frequent practice for health and cleansing. 

I love this movement sequence and I was able to offer a sequence very similar to this for a group. It feels very accessible and I got good feedback from the participants. 

Hello/Good evening January 2025 PYP Cohort - I am still in groove of catching up with the Live Sessions and am really enjoying waking up and listening to the recording throughout the day...this "binge" watching of the recordings is strengthening my practice and continued awareness of of the healing centered approach.  While I am one of those that has been feeling a "bit behind", I realize that I am right on pace with finishing the course on time and I had the reaction today that I am going to miss these 3-hours of safe space during my day when the course finishes in early June.  I really appreciated the check-in today with where we are at in the course since, as of 3/27/25, was our 50%/halfway point.  It was just a nice check-in to where we are at, lessened my anxiety as I felt the group checking in as well and then discussion our final 30-45 minute session with the final reflection.  I have received so much from this course so far and it has enriched my Life....I'm even approaching a work meeting next week with the healing-centered sequencing in mind, so it really is becoming a part of my Life.  I did find the discussion today re: Purity quite engaging nf thought provoking, I kept wondering if some folks on the call were concerned but I SO appreciate how everyone just held the space.  I am grateful for this experience as I realize that some of this energy may come up in the future sessions that I/we may be facilitating.  Jen - Just wow! on the chair practice.  I found myself kind of in awe/wonder on how the various poses really could be done on a chair....Warrior 2, felt it!  Cat/Cow - felt it!  Side Angle, back bends and then 1/2 salutations using the back of the chair.  By the end, especially with the brushing!, it truly felt like a whole sequencing of the practice and I am looking forward to integrating this into a program.  I already try and do the chair poses with my mother and other senior friends that are in need of additional support and this just really brought it out for me in how I can actually facilitate a full yoga practice utilizing the chair.  So a few different times in the class today the subject of the quality of materials available in the classrooms or facilities might be "less than ideal" but this really helped me to realize that we can do yoga anywhere.....we just have to modify with a wall, a table, a counter.  I am setting an intention to try to be more aware of this concept in my next week as I travel through the airport, in my office, at home at my desk.  I was not gong tone able to yoga today but then this chair practice allowed me to experience a whole yoga practice but from my chair, so cool!  I appreciated the discussion at the end of the class (apologies, I forgot who exactly said this) where someone acknowledged the biases towards a chair practice....while I fully embraced it and was personally excited about the chair practice for myself today it helped me to non-attach a bit to the chair practice and reminded me as a facilitator to hold an open safe space for everyone to interpret the practice as it is best for their bodies on a given day, which is exactly how Jen was closing the practice today.  Thanks so much everyone....I am so grateful to be able to complete this course via these recordings and I am so enriched because of it!  P.S. - This is my second attempt/cohort for this PYP 200-hour training....for those of you that may "feel too far behind", I encourage you to connect with Jen.  As she shared today, I was one of those that needed to join a second cohort and Jen was so supportive of my process and genuinely modeled a healing-centered approach by me joining this wonderful January 2025 cohort, which feels meant to be and supported by the Universe.  I was even able to experience a healing-centered class at a local state prison during this course and it all came so alive for me.  Thanks again and Namaste!     

I'm grateful for this live session—it really clarified what needs to happen for our final sequence. I appreciated the conversation around purity and the layers of social definitions and expectations that come with such a complex term. Practicing saucha—clearing physical and mental clutter—has deepened my connection to myself and strengthened trust in my gut instincts. I also really appreciate the flexibility of this course; it’s made the learning process feel more accessible and personalized. The chair sequence was awesome, and I’m feeling inspired to create a routine that could work for those in prison.

Oh, what a lovely chair sequence! I always seem to forget how good my body feels after Chair Yoga. Being someone who works from home, at a computer almost 5-6 hours straight at a time, Chair Yoga is so easy to implement in my day, so I'm taking some of these individual moves into my mindfulness practice at work this week. Maybe one day I can convince my boss to incorporate it into our weekly meetings, ha!  

Sleep and rest were difficult for me for many years. I would get in these vicious cycles of not sleeping for 2-3 days, I would be so tired that I wouldn't eat properly, I would take adderall to keep me going in school and work, which would cause my sleep to be awful again, and then I would take sleeping meds to knock myself out at some point. My body was ill. I met my husband at a time when I would get maybe 1 night of full sleep, and it was he who advised me to start a bedtime ritual, dedicate myself to eating enough, and find ways to calm down. It's been 5 years since I cured my sleep demon (that's my nickname for it), and I no longer struggle with vitamin deficiencies, constant headaches, spikes of prolonged anxiety, and depression. I don't believe sleep is the cure for all, but geez, my life is a complete 180 simply because I REST!