Hello All!! If you were unable to join the live session on Thursday 5/8 please watch the recording and share your reactions as you are able. This session included the final guest lecture of the cohort, PYP's executive director Nicole Hellthaler shared a discussion of supporting challenging behaviors in trauma-informed spaces and I shared a short movement and self-massage practice. Another copy of this link and Nicole's slide deck are shared in the guest lecture thread.
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!