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Creating a Brave Space...

10/31/2020

Hope this finds you all caring for your hearts!
So grateful to be here with you... our intention for this blog is to share trauma-informed resources and prompt svadhyaya (self-study) through discussion :)
Creating a Brave Space
As a psychologist and creator of the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School, it is joy to create brave spaces!
From a trauma-informed lens we may never know our yoga students' stories and histories and cannot predict or know what will create a sense of danger for someone. While we can never promise a safe space, we can collaborate to create a brave space.
What is a brave space?
A brave space is all about relationship. I will nerd out another time about how attachment theory plays into the importance of brave spaces, and for now, I will share this:
When we are committed to creating brave spaces, we are being mindful of nurturing an environment where everyone has the opportunity to feel heard, to feel seen, and to feel welcome.
This must start within ourselves.
We can create a brave space for ourselves by honouring what helps us feel grounded, centred, and present.
When we feel brave, it ripples out to others.
We can create a brave space for others by welcoming them, just as they are.
Notice what arises as you read that again:
We can create a brave space for others by welcoming them, just as they are.
Svadhyaya (self-study) Prompt:
How do you create a brave space for yourself and others?
With goodness,
Melissa

Well if it isn't September...

9/2/2020

Back to work.
Back to school.
A typical Fall routine and yet very little feels typical, this year ✨

My amazing friend, Mrs. Birdie (aka: Mrs. B) is a grade school teacher, busy prepping for the arrival of her class to join her, next week.

At home, Mrs. B and her awesome spouse are prepping their girls for back-to-school too!

Knowing so many of you are in this same boat this Fall, I want to share some incredible tips, from Mrs. B, as you step into an atypical school year:
1. Practice mask wearing at home. Mrs. B will invite her girls to wear their masks while they’re on their tablets and around home. They do it together because practicing at home will help kids feel more comfortable and used to wearing a mask during school days!
2. Celebrate their cuteness! I was on a video phone call with Mrs. B and her girls and Mrs. B was showing me pictures of how cute her girls look in their masks. The girls were beaming 😁
3. Remember: Everyone in your family is different. Every family is different. Get everyone involved in finding ways to create ease in the dis-ease.
4. Check-in at the end of the day. What was the best part of today? What was the toughest part? What are you looking forward to now?
5. Create space to toss those masks in the wash & make time for fun, laughter, and lots of downtime.

Big love,
Dr. Jay (& Mrs. Birdie)

If a reminder would be helpful, snap a picture of these tips, below:

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Dr. Melissa Jay is Métis-Cree, a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, and the Indigenous Director of the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association. We at Canmore Counselling respectfully acknowledges the traditional lands of the Indigenous Peoples (Inuit, First Nations, Métis) of Canada. We are privileged to live on sacred lands and celebrate all of the Indigenous peoples, who live, work, play, and care for these lands. As an act of reconciliation and decolonization, may we work together to answer the TRC's Calls to Action: Truth & Reconciliation Commission Reports and Findings.