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9/25/25 Live Session Recording

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 Jen
(@jen-lindgren)
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9/25/25 Live Session Recording

Here’s the recording from our most recent live session, where we explored chair-supported trauma-informed sequencing and deepened our reflection on Tapas (self-discipline) as both a personal and facilitation tool.

This session invited us to consider how structure, adaptability, and accessibility can work together in service of safety and empowerment—especially in systems-impacted and community spaces.

As always, you’re invited to share anything that resonated with you in the comments below—reflections, questions, tensions, or celebrations.

If prompts are supportive, you might consider:

  • What did you notice or learn about accessibility through the lens of chair-supported movement?

  • In what ways does Tapas (self-discipline) currently show up in your life or practice? What shifts when you think of Tapas as sustainable self care rather than rigid effort?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, in your time and your way.


This topic was modified 3 weeks ago by Jen

   
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(@steve100)
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I noticed the chair supported movement can be quite physical if you want it to be and I need to put the whole class into chairs at times rather than just the individuals whose mobility is impaired . The chair is also great is a great prop especially to aid balance for some of the more challenging balance poses that the guys may want to attempt but may need assistance . 
Tapas means to me just turning up to do the class even though at times it’s the last thing I want to do but I know the guys are relying on me ! I always feel better after for facilitating the class .



   
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 Andy
(@andymccallumoutlook-com)
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Prompts:

What did you notice or learn about accessibility through the lens of chair-supported movement?

I think when I copy and paste the prompts from your post, Jen, they go bold? Apologies. I try to change them to no avail. So! Accessibility and chair-supported movement I find to be the most inclusive opportunity to practice yoga. I sit in a chair opposite another. They are different colours, and the client can choose where to sit depending on the time of day, how they're feeling, and if they are able to listen to what their body is communication in this session. The chair allows you to sit back and rest your spine and hips with you feet flat on the floor, or sit forward  and align your shoulders, spine, hips, and feet, with arms, back and shins at 90 degrees and thighs horizontal to the floor. An invitational queue suggests an adaption where you 'just sit how you feel comfortable', and I include that lovely PYP quote, 'your yoga is perfect yoga', and, 'you are your most important person', so let your body fall into it's own space. Chair yoga is great for collapsing through effort, you can just fall back into instant support. I also offer an office chair with a high back and locks for reclining and tilting. The wheels on the feet allow scooting along a hard wood floor closer or further away from me, the window for a breeze, or the door if the client is heightened and wants or needs to feel the ability to leave before we co-regulate. I always ask first and respect their autonomy. I prefer this one because it asks my body to make a shape: fully supported and also inviting a sitting loving-kindness meditation if its a warm afternoon! The best aspect of chair yoga is that before you transition from talking about a first asana to actually moving, you have started the yoga practice. Talking about it, and inviting the practice, is still yoga, and access is instant. 

In what ways does Tapas (self-discipline) currently show up in your life or practice? What shifts when you think of Tapas as sustainable self care rather than rigid effort?

Tapas - self-discipline, and showing up for the World. As I watch and listen to each recording, I'm reminded that I zone into a deeper level of hearing the lecture and the sharing of my peers. I heard Tatum say, '...and old white dude... I'm mad all the time". Later, Kelley referred to aches and pains, and to listen to your body. I immediately, you can listen to your body, but not always 'hear' it. These are nice inputs and insightful. I'm reading page 50 of the Facilitation Manual which is a great resource. I love Jen's invitation to customise it (for my student or my own practice). That in itself is an invitational queue. Isn't that great? 

Back to Tapas and sustainable self-care and self-forgiveness. I'm nearly there now. It took joining the January cohort and the June cohort for all of this to drip, drip, drip slowly for me to accept it. Lovely. I seem to have changed something... my perception? I had a telling off in supervision last Friday. I humbly accepted that I can't really go from a degree to a PhD next September no matter how enthusiastic I may be, or capable, and have admitted defeat (acceptance?) and enrolled in a research master's degree, that funnily enough, dovetails into a PhD perfectly immediately afterwards. Isn't that great? My PYP Yoga course brings me back to my Self and a vicarious benefit is a purely academic one. Man, that's profound! Oh hello - there's gratitude falling in like one of those giant slides at a park - whooooosh! I love it. I'm one of those people that processes their thoughts and feelings as they type, or speak, so as I write this I process everything nice and fast.. 

Jen's quote jumps out, "identified ways of connecting to my truth". I remember the podcast with Blair and Hari and that objective truth is an ultimate reality. I think Hari's on tonight (Tuesday 30th, can't wait). 

Who am I? Great question... I immediately go to two things: a video by Gangaji (link below) and an immediate response: "I am you".

Another question: How do I connect to self-support? By having great peer-supervision and checking in with myself.

Thank you for this lecture. Fabulous.

Gangaji - Who are you, really?  

https://youtu.be/kUtH0DDJorM?si=6Cj0JZAYKAktLB-w



   
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(@jangell)
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PROMPT - In what ways does Tapas (self-discipline) currently show up in your life or practice? What shifts when you think of Tapas as sustainable self care rather than rigid effort?

Jen's discussion on Tapas resonated deeply with me as it mirrors the current state of my life. Additionally, I have always admired the magnificent Phoenix and how it courageously rose from the ashes. I never considered that the ashes were of the Phoenix’s own making! 

I spent 20 years in education “climbing the ladder” with rigid effort. The discipline I demanded of myself stole from the childhood of my daughter, my social life, and my health. I worked as a teacher, lead teacher, instructional coach, and administrator. In my last position I was even responsible for providing discipline to students who made poor choices.

For several years I have been burnt out and exhausted, watching my health decline as the demands of these roles pressed on. I truly believe that the stress I endured was a huge contributor to the rapid growth of Melanoma that I was diagnosed with last November. (I am cancer free now though!) Towards the end of last school year, I became sick and tired of being sick and tired. I knew something had to be done because I was not being my best self, nor was I bringing my best self to work each day. This was an unacceptable way to live, and it was not sustainable for another 10 years until retirement.  

I made the brave decision to leave my career in education, potentially allowing all my hard work and dedication to “burn to the ground.” If it was going to continue to harm me, I didn’t want it. Right now I am taking a break, giving myself permission to rest and restore. I am taking this time to reflect and re-evaluate how I want to re-emerge, if at all, into the educational world. Since I am not currently in the chaos, I am able to see more clearly, and my priorities have shifted. Being able to work in an environment where my skills have the most positive impact on others is far more important than any title or position. I’ve realized that true leadership doesn’t require titles, and I find myself more interested in building communities that feel like “home” rather than climbing ladders.

Regardless of whatever I choose to do next, I know it was be aligned with my authentic self, guided by empathy, completed with selfless intent, and rooted in love.



   
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(@miss-coleman89gmail-com)
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I find chair-based yoga to be more beneficial for the stage I am at in my yoga journey. As I have been navigating health issues for some time, the gentle and grounding support of the chair beneath me as I practiced made me feel empowered and a sense of joy for the practice. I have learnt that chair-based yoga can be just as, if not more, beneficial than a standard yoga practice and has inspired me to utilise props more in my personal practice and as a facilitator. It is a reminder that using the support of a prop in yoga can help to destigmatize the shame that can be imbued culturally in asking for help in life. Finding a way to communicate this in a class in an accessible way would potentially bring a sense of comfort and a realisation that we all have unique needs and it’s ok to need support at times.



   
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(@victoriasoryagmail-com)
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  • What did you notice or learn about accessibility through the lens of chair-supported movement?

    • I think of my mom with chair yoga. She is currently living advanced Althzeimers and in the early stages I would follow this man's journey on YouTube, and guide her through some yoga facilitation and I kind of miss that. I was actually considering trying to film a yoga class with her as the participant, but I feel since her autonomy is largely taken away, it might not be fair? I am not sure. I do think the asana and postures would be beneficial, but who am I to say. 
    • I really like chair yoga and for years I was snobby about it. Like oh, I can't possibly sweat  from that didn't count. Which leads me into the conversation about self-discipline. Like yeesh...I am neurodivergent. And my entire life I have struggled with being structured. Like it it is so hard for me and I really try to fit myself into this neurotypical box of structure (capitalistic versions of productivity) girl boss if you will. But like, it's not who I am. Now that I have a child, it feels ever more present to be going going going. I even laugh sometimes that my self care rituals require a todo list. But I am not sure any of this is funny? I feel so tired all the time to be honest. I do like the concept of self discipline being sustainable. Because what I currently do is not. But I think for this season, with my mother, my daughter, my partner not working it will have to do. 
    • I will say I do get very easily influenced by the wellness community and social media in general and this concept of Tapas kind of brings the question, like who thinks for me? Who owns me? Certainly not an influencer trying to sell me greens powder. Ha! 
  • Anyway, Jen, as always I care deeply about this space and am always in so much awe of our cohort and you. 

Thank you, all! 



   
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 Amy
(@amybridges66gmail-com)
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Hi all!

I really enjoyed hearing about your hobbies and play! Due to my circumstances (halfway house), I am unable to engage in the hobbies that I once used to love. During my time here, my new hobbies have become reading, meditation... and of course yoga! I am looking forward to many new hobbies once I am not behind the walls. I enjoy nature and am excited to get back out there, going for hikes and walks with my family. I enjoy crafting and am anxious to get back into that hobby as well. 

*What did you notice or learn about accessibility through the lens of chair-supported yoga?

What I learned through the lens of chair-supported yoga was that it is an important prop for some and is also helpful for some who are not quite ready or are unable to engage in unsupported yoga poses. It can be a good starting point for participants who are not ready for "harder" poses etc. Things often do not come right away, but with putting in the work, anything can become more accessible.

I love the analogy of archeology! How we must dig deep, with gentle tools, to often uncover things about us. We must be fragile with ourselves! 

*In what ways does Tapas currently show up in your life or practice? What shifts when you think of Tapas as sustainable self-care rather than rigid effort?

Well... I am the most important person in my life first and foremost. I have, and of course, continue to work hard at this. I need to be the most important person to myself in order to help others feel that they are the most important person as well. If we honor ourselves, it serves others to honor themselves :). I try to show up in the world as positive as I can, although it is currently a challenge, but I am staying positive and know who I am and who I will be when I leave this place and am able to be home with those who love and support me. I have learned a lot about how important mindfulness is through this program and it has only benefited myself and my mental state. 

I thank you all for your support, wisdom and encouragement! You are all amazing people!

 



   
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 Kate
(@mamak8marrgmail-com)
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I really appreciate the reframing of tapas as sustainable self-care.A few years ago, when I came back to the practice of yoga after an extended time away, I made a commitment to myself to spend 30 minutes on my mat every day for 30 days. That commitment to consistency made such a difference for my mental, physical, and emotional health so I decided to keep going. It has now been almost 2 years that I have made time for practice every day. Some days it's a very physical vinyasa practice, some days it's mostly sitting on my mat in meditation. But the sustained effort to spend just 30 minutes, even on days when I don't really feel like it, has brought clarity and increased my resilience in these challenging times.



   
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(@ssridhar)
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  • What did you notice or learn about accessibility through the lens of chair-supported movement? When I taught middle school, I worked at a school that instilled circle practices as a vital community-building and mindfulness resource for both students and staff. Your chair flow brought me back to those feelings-- of security, rest, and connection. I feel really hopeful about bringing mainly chair practices when I start volunteer classes at the men's facility next year, since it will take some additional hoops/hurdles to get materials approved at this point (they were really strict with us over books and such the past summer, so just waiting and hoping to see when and if the whims change). For me personally, there is something extremely therapeutic I have been noticing that I feel in chair practice that I don't feel as much on my mat-- not that one is better than the other, I just seem to lean more into awareness in my standing/mat sequences, and more into like complete rest and release in the chair postures. It's an interesting distinction that I want to investigate a little more (i.e. why this is the case). 

  • In what ways does Tapas (self-discipline) currently show up in your life or practice? What shifts when you think of Tapas as sustainable self care rather than rigid effort. I grew up in an extremely disciplined household, with discipline basically just being synonymous with conformity and punishment. A lot of adulthood for me is making the transition from this type of rigidity, restraint, and repression to what you so rightly name as sustainability and care. I notice that a lot of this transformation is rooted (for me) in agency-- having my non-negotiables actually orginate from within my own boundaries/needs versus being imposed by an external person or system. This [agency] is a tremendous privilege, and in some ways, a constant battle, where I feel that the forces of love and relationality in my life are constantly tempered (or tested) by very real needs for truth, justice, and sustainability in what oft feels like a very morally bankrupt world. 



   
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(@zullah)
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Hello PYP community! I cherish this space so deeply -- thank you all for continuing to make this space so f****** cool :)))

I wanted to share that as I settled into watching this recording, I felt grateful to bear witness you all's testimonies on how practicing yoga and being a part of this powerful community has transformed how you may interact with yourselves, with others, and the world that surrounds you. How rad is that?! In reflecting on Tapas, I have been journalling about how for me, the word "discipline" evokes an image of something rigid. More specifically, it elicits an image of a ruler -- hard wood, created as a tool to measure, notoriously used for other things (i.e., physical discipline). However, discipline is something that is admired when we discuss characteristics of others, or when we discuss traits that we may wish to grow in ourselves. As we shifted the language of Tapas = discipline to Tapas regarding or being similar to a practice of sustaining self, the self that feels like she is ready to show up in the best way she can in the present moment with a reckless abandon to yesterday or last week or the past year, I feel myself opening up more to the idea. 

If you look up the basic characteristics of a Capricorn, the word discipline(d) is almost always listed. And as a Capricorn myself, I don't necessarily disagree -- I feel that I practice self-discipline in many ways. And at the same time, like many of us, I do not practice self-discipline in all the ways, all of the time. I believe that self-discipline has recently shown up in my life in that I have become more dedicated in really listening to my body and my mind. Some days this comes easily, especially the slower days where I feel like I have permission to reflect more, or wander around in my mind or body more. And other days, when I am rushed and stressed and anxious, that listening to my body and my mind becomes almost nonexistent. Today me recognizes that there are certain practices that allow me to feel taken care of and nourished when I provide them for myself. Most recently, I've had to remind myself that my mind skews on the side of the spectrum that can make really quick assumptions about others' behaviors. The practice of Tapas invites me to practice self-compassion, speaking to myself positively and supportively as I would to a loved one. Each and every day looks different, though. 

 

Thank you for this opportunity to share! 🙂



   
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(@carleeferrell)
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Through the lens of chair-supported, trauma-informed sequencing, I’m reminded that accessibility isn’t just about physical options — it’s about creating permission. The chair becomes an anchor for grounding, a symbol that we don’t have to transcend the body to find peace; we can begin exactly where we are. In my group yoga therapy sessions, I watch participants soften when they realize they don’t have to earn stillness — that healing can happen in a small movement, in the pause after the exhale, in the safety of being seen and not judged.

Tapas has been showing up in my practice as the steady discipline of gentleness. For me, it’s not the fiery effort of “pushing through,” but the sacred consistency of showing up to my mat, my breath, and my students — even when my own nervous system feels tired. It’s the daily return, the willingness to refine how I hold space, how I speak, how I regulate before I teach. Tapas becomes a practice of sustainable self-care — the warmth that reminds me that devotion and discipline can coexist with softness.

When teaching in spaces that carry constant noise or distraction — like online clinics or community facilities — integration and relaxation become practices of internalization. I can’t control the environment, but I can become the steady rhythm beneath it. My voice, my pacing, and my own regulated breath become invitations for others to remember theirs. Whether it’s guiding a body scan after emotional release or layering sound and silence intentionally, I’ve learned that stillness isn’t found — it’s built, moment by moment, from the inside out.

What continues to resonate for me is that healing happens in choice, that rest is resistance, and that discipline, when rooted in compassion, becomes the flame that sustains the practice rather than burns us out.



   
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(@kelseywood0gmail-com)
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I've been feeling not so great in my body recently, to the point where movement seems inaccessible, but as always doing the practices is exactly what I need and drops me in where I'm at. I felt much better in myself after the chair yoga sequence, it offered that movement that my body obviously needed and could hold where I was physically. It has helped me not bring judgement to where I'm at in my body and just be supportive and give it what it needs. It also feels like a bit of relief, 'ah I can do yoga, but don't need to leave a chair'.

I liked the framing of Tapas as fire, because this is probably a much better translation than that of discipline. English words carry cultural significance that is often not mirrored in the sanskrit, which is a contextually heavy language. That fire is a neutral entity but it burns inside of us, it's the passion behind what we do and when directed in the right way we can use it to burn that which does not serve us internally. The creative act of destruction, the stripping away of that which does not matter. Instead of the dogmatic approach of 'discipline', the creative endeavour of tending to that fire, sometimes it requires us to rest, sometimes it calls us to action but things are forever shifting and changing so tapping into satya to establish the truth of this present moment and engaging tapas to carry us forward.



   
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