 We have explored the first four limbs of yoga... 1. Yamas (outer ethical codes) 2. Niyamas (the the inner, personal ethical practices) 3. Asana (postures) 4. Pranayama (breath control) & today we move to the 5th limb...
♥️Pratyahara♥️ (Focus & Withdrawal of Senses) Freeing the mind from the nervous system by shifting from our outer senses (seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, & smelling) to our inner landscape of being. Confusing? Yep... This limb is far less tangible than other yoga practices like pranayama & asana. Let's make it tangible! Savasana (final resting pose)! Often savasana is the most challenging posture as it invites us to lay flat, still & to just be. When we give into this posture, our muscles relax, breath slows... supporting connection to deeper layers of ourselves. Yoga Nidra can support this deeply restorative experience too! We are conditioned to do-do-do and think-think-think. Pratyahara is an essential yoga practice. If you are following the @thenapministry you know they are preaching the good stuff... rest as radical resistance! Let's rest. My intention is to unplug as often as possible and honour when it feels right to log-on. Social media can spark joy and keep us connected! That said, it also can lead to stimulation & information overload. I probably have a library worth of saved posts I want to return to, reflect on, with concepts & ideas I want to research... and for now, I will turn inward. May we sit in candle light, watch the snow, be still & practice being. How will you practice pratyahara? ♥️ Dr. Melissa Jay
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 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  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 |
About this Blog:I’m Dr. Melissa Jay, a registered psychologist, yoga therapist, and educator. Archives
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Dr. Melissa Jay is an Indigenous, nehiyaw-Métis member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. The primary location of Canmore Counselling and Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School is located in Chuwapchipchiyan Kudi Bi (translated from Îyârhe Nakoda as “shooting at the willows”), colonially known as Canmore. We are grateful to be located on Treaty 7 territory and the current and ancestral lands of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda), which includes of the Bearspaw First Nation, Chiniki First Nation, and Goodstoney First Nation, as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy, including the Siksika First Nation, Piikani First Nation, and Kainai First Nation. This is also the home to the Rocky View Métis District 4 within the Battle River Territory. We recognize all Nations who continue to nurture these lands, and we are dedicated to uplifting Truth, language, and culture as essential to right relations. 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 trauma-informed care requires commitment to community, social justice, decolonization, anti-oppression, and anti-racism. 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 trauma-informed care requires commitment to community, social justice, decolonization, anti-oppression, and anti-racism. Thank you for being here :)