5/8/25 Live Session Recording

Wow, it never stops amazing me on how keyed up we are with each other in this group. Not like a hive mentality but, yeah kinda like that. Even my friend who is incarcerated is sharing in these experiences of overwhelming and semi-imposter syndrome. Even though he is not a registered student, what I learn from here, I share with him (we study Jame’s book) and he is in the process of now getting a sponsor and a gym CO to be present so he can facilitate to others but, when he is on the yard he doesn’t need all that. When Jen mentioned “people deserve the opportunity to see if its something that might be beneficial for them,” reminded me that if guys like my friend who had these hard reputations in prison are willing to be in this space then there truly is a value beyond words and it is a disservice to the practice of yoga to make that assumption that the need is not present in an individual. I too would like to incorporate more intention. I get hung up on trying to compile the eight limbs all in. What can I offer, authentically from me? If only one time with a participant can bring a living breath back. How “sleeper cells” lie dormant until something is triggered and they are activated. For myself I remember those moments that a ‘switch” just occurred and I leveled up. My dominance intention is allowing myself to want what I want and keep taking action despite what it looks like. 

Nicole’s energy is beautiful and so expressive. The conscious discipline is a very non challenging way to connect. I became disruptive in my pre-teen years throughout school settings in public or detention facilities. I was either kicked out of school or spent time in detention. After I dropped out and returned to school (home studies) I realized that i did better without supervision. I see where being aware of your own reactions takes the supervision authority away and replaces it with holding space for students to have control. Similar to when a boss is micro managing everything. I always jokingly say kids are like the dinosaurs on Jurassic Park they will keep testing the fence for weakness. The boundaries are important but, you also have to allow kids/students to make their own too. When you as a child have no respected boundaries you just feel like crap. 

I loved the examples used to responding in a way that its cool for both individuals. I do feel overreacting can make a situation more heightened so its best to keep that balance. The speed and astrological signs (I am a Libra) are definitely going to be a favorite for me. YOGI SAYS! IN LOVE!!!

The tips and disclaimers, especially this is a space for….

Inviting any on lookers who may mock the class is absolutely classy and warming! 

Jen your movement was so relaxing and I could have fallen asleep if I was not so excited to take notes. As Jen was transitioning to the floor Moe came on screen “distraction” and I was loving that moment and laughed so hard really had real it in and said to myself laughing is breathing, laugh your head off sista lol 

Honestly I didn’t know what I was doing with this sock I had rolled up. It was like rolling paint on a wall. After Jen mentioned find a place of relief I was able to really get into exploring more and less concentration on moving the object. This practice made me laugh so much but, in a respectful way. As I was massaging my hand my inside voice was repeating that line from the Disney movie Soul, “ I can feel myself feeling myself “ lol such  amazing movie, not just because of the jazz. Bringing awareness to the taste of my mouth and temperatures, that was definitely new and I am thankful for the opportunity. 

This Snoop comic ( don’t mind my limbs holding the book down lol)

Hey 🙂 

Sorry I had to leave at the end of Nicole's discussion. I found her share really helpful! 

Jen I loved the practice, so soothing <3 

Thank you, looking forward to the next meet! 

 I just watched the recording from Thursdays meeting and loved it! I thought Nicole had a lot of good tips for addressing problematic behaviors. I also liked the self-massage. I have one yoga teacher who incorporates EFT, self massage, and moments of pause and it has always been a nice change from traditional Vinyasa classes. I feel like we work and move throughout life on overdrive and autopilot often so when we just massage our foot it's like, "OH... I actually needed that and didn't realize it." I have been feeling frustrated lately because I signed up with intention to attend live classes, but with my new job I am unable to do the live sessions the way I would have liked to. I also have had to cut down on my own yoga classes because the ones I attended no longer work with my schedule. I am an anxious person and I feel better prepared to facilitate yoga when I am in my own classes and doing my own practice and attending the classes regularly so it has been something that has been frustrating me lately. I watched the last recording and felt like I wished I had attended this one live because I really enjoyed the content.

I had to leave part way through the movement session towards the end so I just went back and watched it and it really helped me practice a bit for my final so I was truly inspired! And reflecting on Nicole's talk - she was so welcoming and brought up a lot of good points about addressing awkwardness in the room and how to roll with it. Also yogi says was so fun 🙂

Hi Jen and everyone - I've watched the recording of this Session 13 and loved it. Pausing the recording allowed me to write down the floating statements and questions for reflection:

1. I am becoming a trauma-informed and healing-centred yoga facilitator. That sounds lovely, two meaningful concepts and I prefer facilitator to teacher (Nicole brings that up later so it was nice to feel aligned with her thinking).

2. What am I still curious to learn? Everything. My Self and knowledge is in a constant process of change, and learning brings development. I think I'll be learning something or other up until my last dying breath at 105.

3. Where do I feel connection? Everywhere, all the time, intentionally and unexpectedly. Sometimes quietly, and sometimes intensely.

4. Community. Yes!

5. I am building my skills to share this practice in my community. Yes. Sharing is half the fun.

6. What does service mean to me? Giving always, altruism for it's own sake, brining joy while respecting autonomy, and using the Niyamas and Yamas as a foundation for loving it and enjoying Karma's returning it to me ten-fold, which is it' sown reward.

Nicole's presentation was excellent. I really enjoyed my own surprise when after about an hour she said something along the lines of having to start a slide show. I was so enjoying and absorbed in the engagement on the screen with peers, and Nicole's quirky style, that I forgot we were here to 'do' something. Isn't that funny? Being so caught up in the present moment that you forget a purpose? That's Yoga!

Hey, listen, these are my immediate take-aways which I really love:

1. You're driving, what speed are you doing? I was either 160 miles an hour 'get out of the way coming through' or coasting gently downhill in neutral, window down, wearing shades and letting the world race by. I imagined one of those steep city roads in San Francisco like a scene in the Steve McQueen film 'Bullitt' and I'm in no rush to get to the bottom. Great metaphor and really taps into the imagination.

2. Moe's suggestion that 'we are all one and equal' really hit home. You know when someone says something and you really hear it? That.

3. Nicole's referencing a group that comes in in the morning and they haven't had coffee yet. Yes - I totally get that.

4. Self and co-regulation, yes, vitally important.

5. Icebreakers - nice.

6. Jen's practice, loved that and the meditation - whooooooosh, that's me gone in a state of bliss, thank you.

I can't wait for the next session. I tried to join this one with my new self but connection issues stopped that. I developed an intimate frustration with a pop-up window that said, 'Low Bandwidth' and let it go almost immediately. Thank you, Yoga practice off the mat.

This session was a lovely experience, thank you 😎 

Hello Jen, hello everyone!

So sorry I wasn't able to be live last thursday, life has been flowing and I'm truly grateful.

I've been listening and watching the recording for 35 mins now, as it's getting late and I'm truly tired I want to continue tomorrow. But, I wanted to share that I'm so soo curious and grateful for Liz's Reiki session! Also, want to thank and congratulate Moe for speaking about following dreams and for making it come true, so inspiring!

Today I did my 1st observation class in a Women Prison in Porto, Portugal. It was so interesting and powerful and I'm so grateful to have been there, had this experience and to have met these women.

With this, I have 2 things that I'd be interested in speaking and knowing more:

- How to deal with folks that are currently being medicated, that have an addiction, that can be unpredictable,have sudden reactions and agressivity, speak during the class, are experiencing a tense moment with another inmate and maybe is about to start a fight?

- How to help holding this space and invite respect between the facilitator and the group. How to deal with folks that want the attention of the facilitator without being harsh in creating this boundary

- I know Josefin W's spoke about folks being on medication,  but is there any tips on sequences that help cope / nourish / support this?

Thank you and will be continue to watch tomorrow!

Also, I'd love to have Moe's contact.

I abs. love how so supportive this cohort is and I'm just so so grateful of having finally had the possibility and opportunity to do this course, I'm truly deeply grateful. So grateful of how much I've been learning and experiencing and so grateful of hearing and learning from each other and everyone's perspective.

Thank you Jen as always for the warm heart and endless support!

I just finished watching the recording and have to say I loved hearing about the different activities like "Yogi Says" and "Statues". This summer, I will be teaching yoga to children, and I’m excited to explore creative ways to make yoga feel exciting, new, and fun.

I also really appreciated the discussion on "Anticipating Challenging Behaviors" and navigating them with compassion. Until I heard Nicole speak about the officers who would occasionally join their yoga class, I hadn’t realized how much managing a class includes managing the behaviors in the environment as well. I loved the example of the police officer attempting to join the class and how Nicole gently redirected him by saying, “How about you join us next class?” This really illustrated the importance of kind, respectful redirection. Having the skill to manage unexpected situations with grace can significantly impact the experience of the yogis.

I’m learning that there's a balance between not needing to be in full control, while still stepping in to manage when necessary. It’s something I’m still working on, but I really appreciated hearing Nicole speak about it!

What a beautiful lecture! I was constantly reminded by my whole self of how grateful I am to be part of this course and deeply wishing I was live to make questions! At the same time there's another kind of listening and I hear the recording, I can go back to re-listen and observe. Nicole was great and I wish I could hear her more! Wish I could go to one of her classes! Also so interesting as I brought up a few questions earlier and as Nicole is speaking, the subject on behaviour is lightly touched. Thank you so much for all the insights Nicole! I'd love to hear more about this topic of how to deal with behaviors. I heard this quote or I call it quote as I got inspired and resonated with myself and how I wish and try to remember which is " it's your goal to be respected, not liked " - a person said this regarding communication within intense and challenging spaces either work or a space that can be challenging to navigate.

I'd love and welcome all insights on this topic.

And finally the practice with Jen was wonderful, a full sensorial practice, loved to experience this and the sensations felt, again, observing the Jen's invitational narrative that is always so inspiring! And the final rest, wellllllllI fell asleep for moments! Maybe I truly needed it, I've been on a rollercoaster and this felt like heaven. Thank you as always Jen.

I also love the power of the intro of the video, I feel it and somehow, since my observation in Porto in the Woman facility, I feel more calm,more grounded, aware of surroundings and how people are disconnected emotionally, specially here as I came bk to the intense volcanic island! Very interesting. So I notice how important it is, in these spaces, to be grounded and connected to self, like truly live and alive because like Nicole said and really made me think, behaviours get mirrored, so it's so important to be online with ourselves to be observant and supportive of others.

Thank you and again, I'm so so honored and grateful to be here

Hi there, I was able to attend most of the live session, I missed perhaps the first hour or so, I went back to watch the recording and what I missed from Nicole's discussion. I am grateful that we had some time to go over challenging behaviors, it is really good to think about and to anticipate so that it doesn't completely catch us unaware when it comes up. I have a lot of experience working with behaviors that were challenging because I spent a lot of time working with youth in different capacities, so lots of practice managing individual/group behaviors. I think the most important thing that I have taken from these moments is to still treat people with care, respect, and kindness, talk to people about how the behaviors are impacting the group dynamic, and to come from a place of understanding rather than frustration/shame/blame. It can really support people to understand why they might be doing what they are doing (maybe they are feeling uncomfortable in their body and trying to shift attention to being funny or challenging). As I am preparing mentally to start to led a group for the program that I work for I want to really spend some time in the first sessions addressing these potential challenges and being proactive. I always like to lead with group agreements and be really consistent with my expectations in the first few groups so that folks not only know what to expect but also to support group safety. I also like to hear from the group and encourage them to create their group agreements so that they are perhaps more bought into the expectations of the group.

Jen--thank you so much for the nourishing self-care time, it was very needed!! 

Hi there everyone! I realize a little later that I missed this session because my best friend was visiting town and I wanted to be present with her. I think the beginning of the lecture that was discussing surrender is very interesting to me because I think of surrender as less of a release and more of a relinquishment of autonomy -- rather, surrendering to someone else, rather than myself. As Jen mentioned, "there cannot be proper surrender without safety." This guarded connotation of surrender for me stems from past harm, where my first thought of surrender is finding protection instead of authenticity. 

I also think this lecture speaks to a broader theme of what I have taken away from this yoga teacher training. I think it has brought up many different aspects of reframing relationship to self. It would have never crossed my mind to "surrender" to myself, and if I did, in the past I would have been a lot more fearful of what it means to be honest with myself and feel fear of what arises. This has been an incredible experience of self study: from boundaries, honesty, reflection, presence, and connection to oneself and others. The word "surrender" brought up a lot of thought about how much this course has taught me to learn from myself. I've learned about my capacity and comfortability, and how to cultivate a meaningful connection to others as well as myself.

OMG. I posted this to the wrong forum! I can't figure out how to delete it, so I have posted this reply on the May 1st forum. I'll be creating another response below so it corresponds to the correct lecture. 

For the 8th: Nicole had a lot of really helpful information about actions to be mindful of while working with individuals who are incarcerated. I have thought a lot about what it would mean to teach yoga inside a carceral facility -- no matter how much I prepare in these lectures, it will be a large learning experience to teach for the first time. I feel intimidated by making sure I make the room feel safe and comfortable. Nicole brought up a lot of nuanced situations that might arise during teaching in a facility like addressing side chatter, behavioral challenges, or other distractions that I also took note of. There is so much to learn between yoga philosophy, poses, how to properly teach them, and provide instruction in a specific environment. Wow wow WOW!

I also felt inspired by this lecture because I haven't been able to attend the guest lectures as much as I would have liked, and hearing Nicole talk about her experience of how she found PYP is a comforting reminder that everyone has to start somewhere and no one's journey is perfect! I hope to provide comfort to others in a yogic context while also feeling free to express myself and let my personality come through at the same time as she was discussing as well. I hope to be a model to individuals through this practice and this conversation made me excited to learn and grow from others at the beginning of my teaching journey.

YTT module 13

As always thanks for everyone for sharing their thoughts and experiences.

Nicole teaching:

Throws a ball.  Whoever gets it says their name and their speed.  MPH

What would you like your speed to be at the end of class and what about our collective speed.  This can help you establish how you might go about your class. 

ICEBREAKERS?  Astrological signs, favorite dipping sauce, ice flavor

*Asking favorite food and holiday can be difficult for those that are incarcerated.

Set expectations for the class.  Reminder this is your practice.  You are in charge.  Teenagers will test that!!! I do expect you to participate in some way.  Participation can look different for every body.  Say the directions loud enough for the officers to hear in case they don’t understand what is going on.  Particiption does not look like side chatter!  There are times when I might suggest you to inhale or exhale and you can do it the way you want not as I suggest.

Anticipate behavior challenges. 

There is always a reason for a a behavior and this is an opportunity to build trust and demonstrate compassion. 

Some behavior. You might observe:

Talking while you are

Side chatter

General silliness

Arguing

Lack of focus from disruptions

Questions that stop the class

Stop talking when others are talking over you

Redirect the whole group may need to add an energetic pose

Address one person’s behavior with them in private. Your comment made me feel uncomfortable it might have made others fee that way as well.

Make time for Jokes!

Stay humble call out my personal mistakes

I see 80% attention but I would love to see 100%

Games you can play.  Nicole does this with 80 men that actually play these:

Yogi says: speed rounds, others yogis, do a different pose than you call out!

if you mess up…maybe sit up, push up, jumping jack

Holding challenging poses as a group

Ball Toss

Statues

Adults enjoy the games too!!!

Nicole’s teenager class looks very similar to adult classes.

Enjoyed the ball massage and can see how that can be really helpful to people who don’t get much touch.  Had a wonderful rest with Jen’s calming peaceful voice.  Wish it was bedtime, but now I am hopefully refreshed enough to do what is needed with peach and love.

Good afternoon PYP January 2025 cohort - WOW!  What a session!  Like Jen has been saying, this group continues to have more and more open dialogue.  The safe, shared space for exploring all topics, energies and thoughts is just so motivating for me.  Thank you Zach for sharing your Gratitude!  It felt like you were giving voice to my own energy....I am just SO Grateful for how this course has supported my 2025 Life Journey so far.  I very much appreciate having Nicole come in today and share her experience, strength and hope.  I felt like I was able to pick uo her unique energy that she brings to this work.  One of the most powerful takeaways for me was, as facilitators, to understand and come in with awareness that we WILL encounter challenging behaviors.  I couldn't help but think of the challenging behaviors with a few of my co-workers....I think some of the suggestions will help in my day-to-day Life so thank you Nicole!  At the same time, it really helped to normalize the energies that we may encounter....it's all part of Life, whether in a prison, home, public or work setting.  It brought up the Yamas and Niyamas for me again wit a strong foundation of Do No Harm.  Honoring each other, and where we are at in a constant work.  I heard this in so many of the shares today, including the ones written above.  Jen - Thank you, As Always!, for the kind, supportive, restorative and healing movement practice!  Just what I needed on this Sunday as I prepare for the work week.  Namaste!  Jeff 🙂