AntiRacist Raja Yoga with YogaRoots On Location Teacher Training

A 200-hour AntiRacist Raja Yoga Teacher Training
led by Felicia Savage Friedman

Raja Yoga is the 8-Limbed Path that we study, grounded and centered by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Students receive training in the form and function of movement and the breath. YROL uses the yoga practice as a framework for exploring social justice issues.

This blog will feature reflections from the Raja Yoga students, as they move through the study of Raja Yoga.

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4.16.24 Reflection

Today we moved slower and focused on the anatomy of the foot. Talking more about the collective conscious, it made me think about the ways we are often bystanders. How our silence can contribute to a larger unknowing or bias against different marginalized community. Ultimately, listening and believing people about their experiences is often key.… Continue reading 4.16.24 Reflection

4.15.24 reflection

Today was a very lovely day. I was able to check in with folks I have not in awhile and discuss some topics deeper within my breakout group. On top of that, I was able to lead a brief asana. I get a feel of nervousness as well as giddiness as I start to lead… Continue reading 4.15.24 reflection

4.12.24 session reflection

This session felt collectively heavy. I am so thankful we were able to hold space for those going through difficult experiences and that they felt safe enough safe enough to do so. I think also acknowledging the difference of energy versus pretending it was not there was important.

***Niyamas*** 12/1

The niyamas are the 2nd limb of the 8 limbs of yoga and is more the philosophical basis of yoga practice. The Niyamas can be described as rules, guidelines or observances. The 5 Niyamas are saucha (purity or cleanliness), santosha (contentment), tapas (self-discipline/ burning enthusiasm), svadhyaya (self-study, reflection), ishvara pranidhana (contemplation or surrender to higher… Continue reading ***Niyamas*** 12/1

***Sutras 36-51***11/19

Reflection Realizing and understanding that one must first imagine or bring into existence the loving light. The initial step of imagining is a special unique process in my opinion. It involves great care and less clutter of the mind. With practice it seems easier and familiar to access even amidst a difficult perspective or situation.… Continue reading ***Sutras 36-51***11/19

***Disability Justice***11/18

Brief review and thoughts of interview with Dustin Gibson. Trauma related events that happen to our ancestors in past are still either happening or still causing some effect. Our ancestors and people today want to feel protected with disabilities by having rights and feeling valued. There are plenty of examples in black leaders in history… Continue reading ***Disability Justice***11/18

***Yamas*** 11/17

The five yamas are ahimsa (practice of non-violence), satya (truthfullness), Asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (moderation), and aparigraha (non-coveting). The practicing of yamas helps prevent our energy to be used in a draining way. The yamas help us towards a healthier, balanced, peaceful and wholesome life. The yama that stands out for me is brahmacharya. When I… Continue reading ***Yamas*** 11/17

East of Liberty reflection

more ramblings on the development timeline Being a born and raised in Pittsburgh. Watching this documentary clicked so much together for me. I was a kid in 2003-2005. My parents would expose me to the city as much as possible, we lived in Swissvale. My godfather was from east lib. My dad, a musician, still… Continue reading East of Liberty reflection

in the dream of this mind my sister’s yellow old navy sweater (15 years in evidence) still lays on the banks of the allegheny. in the dream of this mind i pick it up and carry it to the house (where we all once lived) with the washing machine in the closet behind the chair… Continue reading

Dharana Reflection

work in progress limb ( they all are!) ” Holding or maintaining” or ” one-pointed focus” In my experience, using a focus point or object has been the most helpful with engaging with meditation. I used to only associate this practice with meditation but recently have been trying to incorporate this in the everyday. I… Continue reading Dharana Reflection

Community Care Reflection

Community Care Reflection: Jose and Gonzala’s presentation was worthy of applause.  It reinforced the prevailing ethics, standards and practices that I abided by during my work as a parent educator and child development specialist in the mid-nineties. This work was toilsome and at times extreme.  Being forced to maintain the status quo of documentation stripped… Continue reading Community Care Reflection

Dhyana

Reflection on Dyana : The Seventh Limb I believe Dhyana to be uninterrupted  concentration. In order to achieve this, it  requires awareness and cultivation of the six preceding  limbs. I have been unknowingly living tenets of the preceding limbs throughout my entire life. Matriculating those precepts are effortless. My ability to practice meditation is inchoate.… Continue reading Dhyana

Check-in 3/8/24

When you realize your yoga certification class is really therapy. Today is the first time I heard the term community healing and wow it is powerful. I began the training rebellious to the process and how I thought the class should be. Now I can’t wait to love, laugh, and cry with my people. I… Continue reading Check-in 3/8/24

A Nap

Today’s session was filled with love and hope for the future. I am thrilled to move forward and not give up on myself mentally or physically. I promised myself to take naps in the near future, and I will. I plan to start tomorrow. I also plan to take the mental health tools and strategies… Continue reading A Nap

Community Care reflection

Friday reflection I have been more interested in non carceral mental health care. I think often we are expected to self care our way out of system oppression. I think about the wellness industry as a whole right now. Betterhelp and services similar to it have been shuffled out in ads in the past years… Continue reading Community Care reflection

My reflection on Dhyana

Finding it and checking in. Dhyana I am less familiar with than meditation. I will be honest and say I have not had a great practice with meditation in general. Brief moments during a challenging asana practice for a long time was as far as my understanding went. I have always had a busy mind.… Continue reading My reflection on Dhyana

I’m tired

Today, I lost someone who played a significant role in teaching me to see the world differently. However, I did not know him that well.I left training today to attend his funeral service. I contemplated not leaving our training session today because I feel behind in my yoga training work, but I could hear this… Continue reading I’m tired

Mental Health

The question we had to answer this evening was interesting. I wasn’t able to answer, so I plan to respond here. The question was: What feelings show up when you hear Mental Health? What experiences come to mind? The idea of mental health brings me joy and confusion. Mental health brings up memories of community.… Continue reading Mental Health

YROL YTT6 02/11/2024

TRANSITIONS AND PRATYAHARA Dr. Stephanie Jupiter…letting us know that choosing to be Yoga Instructors means that we will be raising people back to life!!!!!! WHEWWWWWWWWWWW hadn’t thought about that…it’s heavy, but I can hold it! What does the spine have to do with that? The spine holds us upright and protects us…Love also holds us… Continue reading YROL YTT6 02/11/2024

YROL YTT6 2/10/2023

PRATYAHARA AND TRANSITIONS Transitions are connected to the Niyama of Surrender to Higher Power and Self Discovery and the Yama of Non-possessiveness. My thoughts on Transitions 2/10/2023 Early AM: Learning-space-feeling different than what I was taught-space-coming to my own (silent) conclusion-space-hearing/reading what aligns to what my spirit KNOWS-space-Unlearning-space-re-learning the “old” thing in a way that… Continue reading YROL YTT6 2/10/2023

YROL YTT6 02/09/2024

PRATYAHARA=Sensory Deprivation It’s not nothing…it’s turning my senses inward. Listening to my body…what is it saying to me? I am what I consume, not only food, but energy. I have to be mindful of who I talk to and what I talk about…I can’t listen to complaining about the same thing over and over with… Continue reading YROL YTT6 02/09/2024

YROL YTT6 12/03/2023

STRENGTH-FLEXIBILITY-MOVEMENT Joint=Joined Synovial Joint= A joint with a capsule surrounding the elements within the joint. Synovial Fluid is viscus, slippery, and lubricating and helps the joints to move smoothly. ELIMINATE the goal of being more flexible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is MY WHY for doing yoga? When Leslie said: I do yoga to “LIVE MY LIFE” that was… Continue reading YROL YTT6 12/03/2023

YROL YTT6 12/02/2023

Rest Journal Prompts How do I define home? A place of safety and peace and calm. Where I can be my unfiltered self…where love is in the air-it is not always tied to a particular physical location…Home includes my body! How is my rest practice impacting my interactions with myself and those around me? I… Continue reading YROL YTT6 12/02/2023

YROL YTT6 12/01/2023

Reproductive Justice How have I birthed-manifested-created? What am I choosing to birth and create into this realm? What do I WANT to birth into this realm? I am in my Golden Years-that was confirmed during my Natal Chart reading-this doesn’t mean what I thought it meant-that I am middle-aged-it means that I am entering the… Continue reading YROL YTT6 12/01/2023

YROL YTT6 11/19/2023

BEING CONTINUES The invitation was given to breath…breathing in EXPAND…imagine the air is filling your heart with LOVE…breathing out…send all that love over your home, your city, your country, the WORLD!! Dr. Stephanie Jupiter joined us to go deeper into our study of breath. WOW!!! She started by saying when we breath air does not… Continue reading YROL YTT6 11/19/2023