Hello, I was able to join for most of the live session, I missed the beginning 45 minutes or so. I really am enjoying the peer led experience and getting to work with our group and then teach to the other group, so thank you for creating space for this! I am also finding the templates helpful as options and go-tos as a starting place. 

I enjoyed this week's sequence that was offered, it felt like a good mix of different poses both seated and standing and having the prop as part of the practice allowed for a lot of variations and modifications. I think if I were to offer this to a group that I am serving I would incorporate this toward the middle of our time together if I was noticing the group was ready because to me this flow offered a little more challenge. 

One thing that came up in our group was I led the savasana, and I used a PYP facilitator's words and actions about myself as the facilitator being aware of the group and keeping my eyes open to keep the group safe if group members wanted to close their eyes during the resting portion. The group talked about how this can be supportive for folks who have experienced trauma and may not feel comfortable totally closing their eyes and letting their guard down, so wanted to mention it here for others as well. 

YTT Module 11

Great hearing about everyone’s experience of play!

I enjoyed the floor practice using the blocks.  I use blocks to bring the floor up to me regularly!  Also much better on my wrists.

Lots to consider with all the different people with issues you might be teaching. 

I appreciated Stevie’s wide legged squat trigger question.  Acknowledge that certain thoughts, poses, even breath work can trigger us as we release trauma through our mind, body and spirit that works for each of us.  And may be different for each one.  Your tone or voice or color of your skin might also be activating.  Being authentic and allowing for dialogue and relationship with your students helps to open up awareness.  All of our poses are a practice and an exploration.   The practice is the surfacing of all kinds of stuff. 

We need to reframe what is activating us and move through that so we can be attuned to it.  This helps the Nervous system begin to heal and no longer staying attached to the negative.   We are offering Nervous System regulation!  Therefore, we don’t need to ignore our triggers. We as instructors set the tone for healing to begin.

I like how Astrid said that even in a regular class someone might have been very traumatized.

Explore shifts throughout the week. 

Thank you!

For my play I really had too much fun playing. I lost focus on course work and threw my discipline out the window lol ahhhh. I had a great time with creating a practice for my own little breakout. There were poses that I left and ones that I offered a different variations but, explained the full variation if that was something a participant chose to do to explore further. The cat/cow I used the chair and standing versions, just the spine and back end variations. The lunge I also offered in a kneeling position for the ankle brace participant. Because of the undisclosed traumas I omitted the squat, goddess, pigeon, knee to chest and squats. Those would be triggering for myself to do in a class but, would be willing to try these on my own. The staff pose i skipped because it just seemed awkward for new participants, as in “Why are we just standing here?” I did include the Lion’s breath and a short breath work at the end and exaggerated the poses I did leave in. I appreciated Jen for bringing up the branding our yoga style as facilitators. That is very helpful in how to offer what I want to offer and not be expected to do anything unrealistic or any unwanted assumptions. With triggers in mind I did think about children and how to bring these poses to them with still protecting them from unsolicited attention in a sexual manner if practicing outside of home. It was asweome hearing the different perspectives of hand on or handoff approach. For me yoga is a self journey and I’d like to focus on self regulation so I would prefer hands off to not give the impression that a participants needs a facilitator to bring it healing or peace or whatever it is they are needing. It’s just a space we can connect in unity and share offerings and learn from each other. 

4/17/25 Live Session Recording (Module 11)

Yes, fabulous, loved this session. I am straight away reminded the value of reading the module before the Thursday session so it all fits in a familiar way. I enjoyed a further yoga practice with blocks that also reminded me of the inclusive nature of yoga practice. I popped a disc again on Monday and walked 10,000 steps minimum each day from 6am to 6pm and did lots of practice lying on my back. By Friday I was tickety-boo - all healed 100% compared to the 6 week recovery in 2017 that introduced me to yoga through my GP. Wow. Love it, and it informs my teaching and philosophy towards others. I hope your back heals Jen in good time. Blocks - I salute you!

Break-out rooms look exciting and intriguing. The buzz of the guys when they return is very contagious!

Types of student attending a class invites a deep dive and a very mindful approach to considering what 'reasonable adjustments' are required. I find this idea taps into my empathic response to what people need and want in their individual practice, and how I am responsible for those considerations. I like Jen's therapeutic language i.e. '...these are the folks that came into your space,' and then I feel a response arise that says, '...and this is the space we will share together'. I think this is the part of the course that I see develops my sense of self in parallel with my understanding of so many things: yoga, practice, philosophy, personality, mental health, love, compassion, thinking, feeling, empathy, and perception. 

Okay - just wanted to say, that even on a recording, I feel super connected to you all. I would love to know the neuroscience of connected 'in person' as deeply felt as connected 'in a recording'. I'm sure there's a Harvard or Stanford study that showed that the brain or mind can't tell the difference between real and pretend. I'll see if I can dig it out.

At 59:30 Jen, 'It's all about you'. Love that. I must remember to say to my students that it's all about them i.e. 'You are the most important person', also, 'I am the most important person'. 

Stanley, 'I'm not here to teach you shit. I'm going to share some information'. Love it! Share, yes, that!

Buzzy feedback from peers, feedback to each other, lots of love. 

Doing some reading now (Monday bank holiday so day off) and then some practice and stretching... ahh...

See you all later and thank you for sharing your energy ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 

I really enjoyed this sequence, and using blocks was very relaxing for my nervous system. I wish I had been there for the breakout rooms, I was ill on Thursday and unable to make it. 🙁

It was very helpful to learn how the group navigated the challenges of participants with different needs. I enjoyed Stanleys perspective about sharing something that was helpful to him vs being a "teacher" and positioning yourself as separate then. Jen I love how nurturing you are to us 🙂 

Stevies question on triggers with squat I found very important, thank you for bringing that up! Authenticity is key <3 I love the explanation that trauma can come up from any part of the body, and none of it should be ignored. Going through it with someone and making them feel safe in the space is what is most important. Being helpful in being calm and in tune <3