I have been back from the Y12SR Leadership training for several days now. It has taken me awhile to assimilate and absorb the information. Y12SR is a meeting format that includes both an all recovery path 12 Step based meeting followed by a one hour yoga practice. The focus or theme of this yoga practice comes out of the energies discovered during the meeting. How to lead and read the meeting, and how to bring this understanding to the mat were the foci of the training.
The training began with developing an understanding addiction and recovery. The importance of self knowledge as well as "felt sense" as keys to relapse prevention were discussed. The workshop went into the somatics of trauma. It also led us to an awareness of the issues of pre-judgement and understanding how our life experiences can impact unconscious inclusion or dis-inclusion of others. She also described how these experiences can affect the processes of leadership. Our "short comings" and personal triggers can have an impact our effectiveness. Exercises were practiced to experience the pitfalls that can arise in group situations.
It was challenging and affirming, educational and emotional, informative and inspiring. Nikki Myers presented amazing material. Most importantly she led us into ourselves to help us FEEL how this information both affects us and affects how we impact our environment.
The process of being in recovery profoundly informs how we are in the world. How we are in the world has a big impact on how we are in groups. How well we know ourselves and our own behaviors and discernment can have a big impact on how effectively we can lead groups. Effective leadership in this setting means creating a safe sacred space and leaving room for others to find their way to healing.
This was a mind - wide opening workshop, led with skill and grace by Nikki with an amazing group of yogis. While this training is not gender restrictive - this particular class was exclusively female and we made the most of this constellation of goddess energy. Sharing freely and deeply I feel a deep sense of closeness and bonding with all the women who were there. Thank you all for your contributions, empathy and love. Namaste
