 We have explored the first three limbs of yoga... 1. Yamas (outer ethical codes) 2. Niyamas (the the inner, personal ethical practices) 3. Asana (postures) & today we move to the 4th limb of yoga...
♥️Pranayama♥️ (Breath Control) With practice & loving patience we can create a beautiful relationship with our breath 💨 Let's practice: Take a moment to wiggle around in your seat. Find a bit of comfort. ✨Perhaps you notice your breath. ✨Notice what happens as you inhale. ✨Notice what happens as you exhale. ✨You might want to lengthen your inhale. ✨Perhaps you want to open your mouth as you exhale. Patanjali shared that breath control can be: 💫bahya vritti = internal/inhale 💫abhyantara vritti = external/exhale 💫stambha vritti = stationary/retention A self-reflective question: How do I stay connected to my breath? As we deepen our relationship with our breath we can learn to regulate our breath and relieve our minds of mental chatter... even if just for a few moments Our breath & our mind are interconnected so be playful as you notice how your breathe supports you in slowing and calming your mind ✨ In the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School, we continually practice coming back to our breath... to connect with ourselves & each other ✨ Full of gratitude for one of my teachers, Susanna Barkataki, who inspires me to decolonize yoga by honouring the roots of yoga! Please consider getting yourself Susanna's book. Would love to hear your reflections! ♥️ Dr. Melissa Jay
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 We have explored the first two limbs of yoga... 1. Yamas (outer ethical codes) & 2. Niyamas (the the inner, personal ethical practices) & today we move to the 3rd limb of yoga...
♥️Asana♥️ (Postures | Forms) Take a moment to reflect on what comes to mind when you think of pictures you have seen of yoga... Likely you’re imagining images of people practicing asana and these images often show people in very complex postures! As we honour ancient wisdom by practicing yoga as more than a physical practice, we enliven our privilege to decolonize yoga by honouring yoga as a deeply integrative system and philosophy. In that, we honour asana as a very important system within a much larger system. I'll unpack this... When we honour how (not if) our body needs to move, we invite ourselves towards an inner steadiness with greater capacity to sit in stillness, mindfulness, and meditation I am grateful for one of my teachers, Susanna Barkataki, who is courageously decolonizing yoga! In the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School, together we explore and practice asana as a way of strengthening our ability to notice our inner landscape, to regulate our nervous system, and, most importantly, in support of the the other seven limbs of yoga which we can take off the mat ✨ Would love to hear your reflections, if you are called to share! ♥️ Dr. Melissa Jay As shared in my previous post, the Niyamas represent our inner spiritual practices, made up of five Niyamas: Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya, & Ishvara Pranidhana.
♥️Ishvara Pranidhana ♥️ (Devotion) What does devotion mean to you? ✨Feel into this. ✨Perhaps journal. ✨Notice what arises. As I reflect on devotion it brings up words like dedication, purpose, passion, and commitment. By leaning into devotion, we learn to stay connected to compassion I'll unpack this... The practice of devotion can lead us to our highest good. When we are unwell, we do what is needed to feel well again... we rest, seek support, meditate, pray, eat well, etc. Then, once we are well, it is human nature to to leave/forget/toss aside the practices that helped us feel well! This is why sick days don't work. We need to devote ourselves to creating the space we need in order to stay well... when we do, we naturally shine our light into the world 💫 I am grateful for one of my teachers, Susanna Barkataki, who shares another great way to practice devotion is to study sacred texts. I also see devotion happening in the communities that feed our spirits, that support us in looking deeper. What does devotion mean to you? ✨Feel into this. ✨Perhaps journal. ✨Notice what arises. In the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School, together we learn the power of devotion to mind-body-spirit-heart integration as the key to wellness, staying regulated in the face of difficulty, and honouring all that is. We would love to hear your reflections, if you are called to share! ♥️ Dr. Melissa Jay  As shared in my previous post, the Niyamas represent our inner spiritual practices, made up of five Niyamas: Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya, & Ishvara Pranidhana.
♥️Svadhyaya ♥️ (Self-Study) This 👏 Is 👏 Everything. As @deepakchopra says: 'spirituality is self-awareness'. Svadhyaya is how we deepen our self-awareness. We engage in self-study when we slow down: ✨On our mats ✨In counselling ✨In heart-based conversations ✨While in nature, journalling, and meditaiton. The key is that we naturally embody svadhyaya (self-study) when we slow down! Michael’s Fave Self-Study Check-In: ✨How are you feeling in this moment? ✨What are you needing? ✨How can you support yourself in meeting your need(s)? ✨How can others support you in meeting your need(s)? Svadhyaya is the guiding principle of the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School. By deepening our self-awareness, we shift from reacting to noticing and being, moment to moment. Would love to hear your reflections, if you are called to share! ♥️ Dr. Melissa Jay  As shared in my previous post, the Niyamas represent our inner spiritual practices, made up of five Niyamas: Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya, & Ishvara Pranidhana.
♥️Tapas ♥️ (Burning Desire | Discipline) Tapas often translated as burning fire and considered practice dedicated to burning away impurities in the mind & the body through ritual & discipline. Through discipline, we burn clean. Let's unpack this: We practice tapas by showing up when it's hard. By practicing the eight limbs of yoga when it would be easier to give up & walk away. Satya (truth & deep listening) supports us in showing up authentically and unapologetically! Satya Post. Through discipline and consistency, we stoke our burning fire within us... bringing us deeper into our practice. You may want to spend some time journalling: ✨How do you show up when it is hard? ✨How do you know when it has burned clean? ✨How can you support yourself in creating structure, focus & discipline into your practice. Big Inhale Open your mouth, stick out your tongue Big Exhale #lionspose In the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School we are dedicated to learning how to show up authentically, consistently & discipline. ♥️ Dr. Melissa Jay I give thanks to one of my wise teachers, @susannabarkataki, who has an INCREDIBLE new book: Embrace Yoga's Roots.  As shared in my previous post, the Niyamas represent our inner spiritual practices, made up of five Niyamas: Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya, & Ishvara Pranidhana.
♥️ Santosha ♥️ (Contentment | Joy) Santosha is nurtured consciously through a consistent practice of gratitude for yourself, your relations, and your practice. Gratitude turns what we have into enough. Let’s practice Santosha together: You might bring your hand onto your heart Bring to mind someone, something, or some place that you are FULL of gratitude for. Notice what you notice. Feel what you feel. Contentment Check-In: ✨What does contentment mean to you? ✨What does contentment feel like? ✨How might you embody contentment... try moving your body in the way it best expresses contentment! Fun, right!? Joy Check-In: ✨What does joy mean to you? ✨What does joy feel like? ✨How might you embody joy... perhaps you might try moving your body in the way it best expresses joy! Yessss! Our trainings at the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School support a practice of santosha through time dedicated to heart-based practices & integration! I give thanks to my wise teacher @susannabarkataki who wrote an incredible book: Embrace Yoga's Roots!! Very excited to share that it is amazing & will be one of the required readings in our YTT’s, moving forward! Would love to hear your reflections, if you are called to share! ♥️ Dr. Melissa Jay  As shared in my previous post, the Niyamas represent our inner spiritual practices, made up of five Niyamas: Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya, & Ishvara Pranidhana.
♥️ Saucha ♥️ (Cleanliness) Let's start unpacking this by considering all of the elements in our lives... our thoughts, mental health, physical body, overall health & wellness, awareness, emotional health, spiritual connections, spiritual health, our relationship with ourselves, with each other, our four legged friends, and with the Earth... Saucha | Cleanliness: When we put saucha into practice, we are dedicating ourselves to a practice of cleanliness in our words, thoughts, actions, and behaviours. This might mean creating a clean and pure physical environment and then deepening the practice as we consider ways to be pure of heart and uncluttered in all of the other elements in our lives. Cleanliness Check-In: What elements in your life could benefit from intentionally practicing Saucha? In the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology trainings we focus on the process rather than the outcome. By honouring that less-truly-is-more, we allow ourselves time & space to connect with our innate wisdom... intuition. Would love to hear your reflections, if you are called to share! ♥️ Dr. Melissa Jay I give thanks to my wise teacher @susannabarkataki  In previous posts, we have explored the five Yamas: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, & Aparigraha, and we now call our energy and attention inward with the Niyamas.
The Niyamas represent our inner, personal ethical practices that support us in being connected, spiritual, soulful humans. One of my teachers, Susanna Barkataki, shared that the Yamas and Niyamas were integrated between 2000-5000 years ago, in communities, to amplify how to respect ourselves and each other. ♥️ Niyamas ♥️
The Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School offers students opportunities to deep dive into these teachings through reflective practices as the foundation of our yoga teacher trainings. It is such a joy to share some reflections with you, here! Please share your questions, thoughts & reflections below! ♥️Dr. Melissa Jay  As I have shared in other posts, Yamas are the outer ethical codes and foundations of the eight limbs, made up of five Yamas: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, & Aparigraha.
♥️ Aparigraha♥️ (Impermanance/ Letting Go) Let's unpack this... Impermanence & Letting Go: The ongoing practice of becoming aware of growth & change while meeting ourselves, just as we are, moment to moment. Meeting ourselves, just as we are, moment to moment. *big inhale* *big exhale* Impermanence Check-In: As we dedicate ourselves to the ethical practice the Yamas lays out for us, we invite ourselves to live with vulnerability, depth & wide open hearts. In that, we learn to acknowledge the ongoing evolution in our lives, relationships, the seasons, interests, and passion projects. When we hold on tightly to what is, the natural evolution of change can feel difficult, create a sense of fear and, of course, deep grief. When we acknowledge the importance of releasing, letting go, and at times having to say goodbye, we can instead meet ourselves with tender loving kindness. We allow our feelings and sensations to emerge without struggle or stifle. How do you already honour the practice Aparigraha? What are your growing edges? Initially, I wrote this post while we were learning alongside incredible humans for the 3rd module of our 300-Hour Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology YTT! Our journey together is a process which supports the practice of witnessing the nature of ongoing growth and change. We notice it, acknowledge it & honour it. It is a joy to put this into practice with such incredibe souls. Next up, we begin exploring the Niyamas Who's in?! ♥️ Dr. Melissa Jay  As I have shared in other posts, Yamas are the outer ethical codes and foundations of the eight limbs, made up of five Yamas: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, & Aparigraha.
♥️ Brahmacharya ♥️ (Care for Others... Including You) Let's unpack this Yama... Bring to mind someone who you care for deeply. You might place your hand on your heart as you connect with them, in your mind's eye. Recall a time when the two of your were together (whether in-person or over the phone). How do you feel when you are together? What emotions arise? Sensations? Energy? Now bring your attention onto yourself. You may want to keep you hand on your heart How do you care for your heart? You mind? Your body? Your spirit? What's your energy like, right now, as you care for yourself? You might want to journal about this. What can you do, starting today, to practice Brahmacharya? It is essential that we care for ourselves because when our cups are full, we are best to care for others. From a trauma-informed lens, our yoga teacher trainings are dedicated to cultivating a meaningful practice of self-love. By learning to fill ourselves with self-compassion we then ripple the compassion onto those who trust us in their journeys. I invite you to share this blog post with someone you care for deeply and let them know you've been thinking of them :) ♥️ Dr. Melissa Jay I give thanks to my wise teacher Susanna Barkataki ✨ |
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Dr. Melissa Jay is an Indigenous, Nehiyaw-Métis member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Canmore Counselling is located Châ Ûpchîchîyen Kudebi (translated from Îyârhe Nakoda as “shooting at the willows”), colonially known as Canmore. The physical location of Canmore Counselling & the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology is in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, which is considered Treaty 7 land and home of Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III, and the traditional territory of the Îyârhe Nakoda, including the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Wesley First Nations, as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Blackfoot Confederacy, including the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations. As an act of reconciliation and commitment to decolonization, we are committed to the TRC's Calls to Action.
At Canmore Counselling, we are also privileged to be yoga students, practitioners, and guides. Our offerings centre on the root of yoga as Indigenous to South Asia, and we are grateful to learn from and amplify the South Asian practitioners and teachers whenever possible. We are grateful for the eight limbs of yoga, as taught by Patanjali. It is a joy to walk alongside our incredible alumni of the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School as they create opportunities for care, connection & curiosity within their communities.
We believe wholeheartedly that community, social justice, decolonization, anti-oppression, and anti-racism are inherent to trauma-informed care. Thank you for being here.
At Canmore Counselling, we are also privileged to be yoga students, practitioners, and guides. Our offerings centre on the root of yoga as Indigenous to South Asia, and we are grateful to learn from and amplify the South Asian practitioners and teachers whenever possible. We are grateful for the eight limbs of yoga, as taught by Patanjali. It is a joy to walk alongside our incredible alumni of the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School as they create opportunities for care, connection & curiosity within their communities.
We believe wholeheartedly that community, social justice, decolonization, anti-oppression, and anti-racism are inherent to trauma-informed care. Thank you for being here.