A Little Backstory...
When I first tried yoga, many moons ago, I did NOT like it.

I went into my little gym in Kitsilano (Vancouver) and decided to try my first yoga class. I went in feeling brave and proud of myself for trying something new and entering an intimidating space where the participants likely already knew eachother. 

I tried my best to follow along and pretend I knew what I was doing. I wanted to slide in and slide out without anyone pointing out my mistakes or entering my zone.  

Unfortunately, my instructor had another idea for me...

She pointed me out in front of the class, more than once, for not having my heels all the way down in downward facing dog (btw, that is physically impossible for most bodies).  At one point, she even came up behind me and adjusted my body into position - without asking and without warning. 

It is easy to understand, when you think about it, why, if someone had been abused, had their agency taken away in some form, or even been in a horrible accident, why it might be dysregulating to be shamed, snuck up behind, and touched by a stranger whose intentions are to "correct" you. 

Now, I was young, self-conscious, and already an over-thinker/perfectionist. I grew up having my agency taken away from me through physical and emotional abuse. I went to the class to find some peace in my body and left with my cheeks burning hot and wanting to get home as soon as possible. 

For others this could have really triggered their nervous system and caused shut down. 

Something inside me told me to keep trying yoga. I ended up taking another class at a yoga studio in my office building - and this class changed everything for me.

​Those instructors, whether they realized it or not, had a trauma informed approach. I left their feeling taller, more calm, and energized. Not once did they physically touch anyone or point them out - they used language that showed their intentions were to hold a safe space for breath, movement, and discovery.

From there, I knew I wanted to be able to create this atmosphere for others. I soon went on to take several trainings to get there.

The Trauma Informed Approach
The trauma-informed approach is leading through a lens that understands trauma and how it impacts people and groups. A lense that can recognize the signs of trauma or dysregulation, and an approach that can hold gentle space for people to sit in their bodies safely without the threat of an instructor triggering a traumatic response through language, touch, or actions.  Using language that encourages participants to move and choose options that serve them and their energy that day.

Trauma-Informed or Trauma-Sensitive Class should have:

• Language that is invitational rather than directive.
• Choices, modifications, options!
• Instructor at the front - demonstrating.
  (instead of walking around people's heads, or standing at the front issuing commands and watching intently for "mistakes").
• A warning before lights go on or off and door is closed or opened.
• A closed and secure space.
• Body safety - no touching or calling out an individual.
• Safety alignment suggestions mentioned to the whole class - instead of calling on one person.
• Sensory awareness / noticing - participants are not told HOW to feel or WHERE they will feel it.  I.E. "this will feel good!" "you should feel this in your left bicep" rather "if this pose doesn't serve you today - you could try this option instead"
• An instructor who holds space for people to feel things within their own body, to have their own experience, and their personal space.
• An instructor who leads the class from a place of learning from other people's bodies in how they move and where they seem to hold tension - and offering new options and modifications accordingly so that everyone feels in power and successful.

Sara Bylo used to be the Director of Communications for Yoga Outreach. She also participated in their Trauma informed training that can be used in many work settings.  

To find out more, visit: https://yogaoutreach.com/

Happiness is an Illusion.

This time of year can be difficult for so many. Including those who appear "happy".
It can be important to remember that happiness is an emotional response, not a state of mind. Often a response from realizing a desire or gaining an attachment. Self gratification.

We may wonder why we aren't "happy" like others seem to be. We are now, more than ever, in a constant state of comparing. We are being marketed to almost every hour of every day. Our first questions to new people seem to be "what do you do?" as in, how can I compare my ego to yours. Instead of, what outlets bring you joy?

The aim behind the practice of yoga is to develop a state of dispassion. Although that may sound like a state of not giving an F....and it kind of is...it's more a state of accepting the world as it is.

Letting go of desire, attachment, ego.
Giving yourself to a greater purpose, a distraction for the mind, where instead of becoming obsessed with self, with your pain, with your story; you find a purpose greater than yourself and your ego.

• Do something for someone else.
• Dance.
• Sing.
• Meditate.
• Let go.
• Accept what is.

It's called a "practice" for a reason...some moments we suck at it. We give in to desire and quickly become addicted to wanting something "else". - chasing the next fleeting feeling of happiness. Or, we get addicted to the comfort of our own pain and sadness.

Noticing and awareness are the keys to change.

Good luck 🙏🤐

#yogaphilosophy #nonattachment #ego #yoga #meditation #yogainspiration #yogapractice #babaharidass

​Yoga is not comfortable.⁣..
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There's a big misconception, thanks to big brand "yoga" apparel, social media, and the like, that one has to BE something before they can "do" yoga. Ex: thin, flexible, strong, white, Lululemon clad, etc. ⁣
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This comes up over and over as to why people aren't "ready" to try.
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Here's the thing: yoga is not comfortable. It is also not supposed to hurt, make you feel unsafe, or trigger you in any way.⁣
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It is simply not comfortable to allow stillness, silence, emotions, and sensations. To move your body in ways you're not used to moving. To hold positions of strength using muscles you're not used to using. To control the breath. To practice listening to and respecting your boundaries and energy when your ego wants to muscle through. ⁣
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To slowly develop a feeling of "home" within your own self, when you really want to run.
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Yoga, all of its branches, is an ongoing practice. There's no such thing as being bad or good at it because there is always room to modify, expand or deepen. Even if for you that means sitting still for 1 minute instead of not at all. Stopping one bit of inner-dialogue. Letting go of one attachment. Accepting your body does not bend or look like another body, and not compare. Reaching for a tea and allowing a feeling to come through, instead of a (vice of choice) and numbing, even just for one day. ⁣
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A practice developed to create homeostasis. A home within yourself, in a body and mind that eventually, with practice, WILL become more comfortable: stronger, softer, more flexible, maybe even less "flexible" - as your case may be.⁣
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Your instructor, of true yoga, should come from a place of teaching to learn, not teaching to correct. You should feel safe and trigger-free with the language they use and the space they hold. Safe to be you, as you are, safe to practice YOUR practice with your body, your mind, and your spirit, at your own pace and with modifications more suited to your body and mind.

I aim to continue to practice holding this space and learning from others while deepening my own practice.

I always warn my students "if you catch me looking at you, it's only to see how each pose or the language I used is resonating with participants so that I can learn from that, and perhaps offer the class as a whole a variation that might suit certain bodies better next time"