[cid:bcf4a347-ca02-4dac-ad32-f589c7cd52b6]
for me caring for myself includes ensuring that I remain in solidarity with others (alongside yoga and other practices). yoga has also brought me solidarity and community over the years. it can be a political act in itself. in my life yoga was part of declining the invitation to medicalise my pregnancies and childbirth.
suzanne
Suzanne Elliott
Clinical Psychologist
Leicester Homeless Mental Health Service- Psychology
OSL House
East Link
Meridian Business Park
Leicester
LE19 1XU
tel: 0116 295 8442
fax: 0116 295 8443
________________________________
From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Harriet Radermacher [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 01 December 2019 05:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [COMMUNITYPSYCHUK] Yoga liberation workshop
Hi David and Sophia,
Thanks for opening up this interesting conversation.
I have community psychology training and am also a qualified yoga teacher. I value and am drawn to the theories and practices of both community psychology and yoga.
I think yoga and particularly its western applications can be be valuably informed by community psychology, as has been articulated by Annie Belcher, https://www.anniebelcher.com.au/about. Annie was also the subject of an article https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-20/annie-belcher-on-the-intersection-of-yoga-and-psychology/8447830 in which she acknowledges that teaching yoga "you hopefully create a little bit more ease in 30 people's lives, even if it's just for an hour, which is nice. But it doesn't address any structural problems".
[https://www.abc.net.au/news/image/8454364-16x9-700x394.jpg]<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-20/annie-belcher-on-the-intersection-of-yoga-and-psychology/8447830>
Millennials of Melbourne: Annie Belcher on yoga, uni and how each helps the other - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-20/annie-belcher-on-the-intersection-of-yoga-and-psychology/8447830>
Annie Belcher, 26, says she does not fit many of the the stereotypes of a yoga teacher: I'm not vegan, I don't get into chakras and god and all the mythology. The Master of Community Psychology ...
www.abc.net.au
There's lots of excellent debate and discussion about decolonisation of yoga, cultural appropriation, and trauma-informed practices etc - which I would say definitely align with community psychology values and are really important developments. The intrapsychic benefits are clear, and most likely these positively influence interpersonal relationships, strengthening community connections and supporting community development and grassroots initiatives - all of which resonate with community psychology.
Whether yoga challenges systemic issues, probably not. However, I think it's still relevant to community psychology, just not its critical form.
Harriet
________________________________
From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of David Fryer <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, 23 November 2019 2:11 AM
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Yoga liberation workshop
Dear Sophia,
Thank you for taking the time and care to explain why you think yoga is relevant to community psychologists.
I was fascinated by your claim that there is a sinister relationship between modern day postural yoga and neoliberal capitalism/ imperialism” and that this is manifested in yoga “being used by the wellness industry to disconnect us as individuals and readjust us to oppressive situations”. Many who on this list have – at least in the past - argued that psychology, especially clinical psychology, also functions to “disconnect us as individuals and readjust us to oppressive situations”.
When you write: “Yoga is a process that involves awakening our discerning mind . . . and our human capacity for compassionate response and righteous action”, a process which reduces “violence, injustice and harm within ourselves”, am I correct to understand you to be saying that yoga is an intra-psychic process? When you say yoga is a process of “process of reducing violence, injustice and harm . . . throughout our communities”, am I correct to understand you to be saying reduction of violence, injustice and harm in communities can be achieved by an intrapsychic process operating in one person at a time but that this adds up to a collective difference over time? Am I correct that you are saying a “South Asian healing modality and liberation practice” is unproblematically universal in its relevance and effectiveness?
If correct, yoga does seem very different in assumptions from community psychology as I understand it. From what you have written I am unsure how you believe yoga connects us as individuals and rather than readjust us to oppressive situations facilitates us in changing situations to make them less oppressive. I suspect that I am misreading your explanation and would really appreciate clarifications if and when you can find time.
Thanks
David
On Tuesday, 12 November 2019, 20:17:09 GMT+10, Sophia Ansari <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hello David,
Thanks for your message. I think I am a little closer to understanding how we are all connected on this virtual platform.
I have written something in relation to your question: How does Yoga manifest itself as an element of community psychology or to reframe your words a little, how would yoga be relevant to community psychologists. I hope this will be useful reading for a lot of you here and if anyone is interested in getting in touch with me directly, please do drop me a line.
Warmly Sophia
SOPHIA ANSARI, MA. BWY dip, UKCP accredited.
Yoga therapy & somatic psychotherapeutic counselling.
www.sophiaansari.co.uk<http://www.sophiaansari.co.uk/>
Decolonising yoga & mental health
www.sattvagaia.co.uk
I run an educational initiative called Sattva Gaia. Sattva Gaia reclaims yoga as a sophisticated South Asian healing modality and liberation practice.
It seeks to challenge the White washing and devaluation of yoga as a fitness/sport/recreation by offering yoga as a mindbody healing practice to those marginalised by the yoga industrial complex.
This includes members of the South Asian community and diaspora, BAME people of color, refugees and asylum seekers, survivors of violence, working class folks, new mums and single mums, the queer community, folks with large bodies, people with disabilities, vulnerable persons with addictions, abuse histories or mental health challenges.
There is currently a very sinister relationship between modern day postural yoga and neoliberal capitalism/ imperialism. Yoga is being used by the wellness industry to disconnect us as individuals and readjust us to oppressive situations. It is also being used by the military in the West and in India to bolster the face of Hindu ethno-nationalism
Yoga is liberation (moksha), as such it supports our removal from toxic environments and unjust circumstances. Why? Because Yoga is a process that involves awakening our discerning mind (buddhi) and our human capacity for compassionate response and righteous action.
If we are involved in an authentic, decolonial yoga, then we are engaging in a cleansing process of reducing violence, injustice and harm within ourselves and throughout our communities.
Yoga involves sangha, sangha means community, so it aligns with community psychology principles. Sangha can be achieved through creative, process orientated sharing: righteous and truthful speech in non judgemental circles or within trusted relationships
So in summary yoga is personal and political. Historically Yogis have always challenged the status quo.
From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Fryer
Sent: 10 November 2019 00:36
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Yoga liberation workshop
Hi Sophia,
I don't blame you for being confused as more than 'us' / 'our' / 'we' are inferrable. To clarify part of the confusion . . the UK Community Psychology Discussion List is a JISCmail list is, as the name implies, and was set up a forum for discussion about community psychology. As you assumed, there is no membership of this list other than signing up to post and receive email messages (although occasionally some mebers of this list have acted collectively). Long after this list was set up, a community psychology section of the BPS was set up ( https://www.bps.org.uk/member-microsites/community-psychology-section ).
I will leave it to Jen to clarify the network to which she referred.
This list has been functioning for many years. This list used to have more message traffic and the discussion used to include more discussion of critical approaches to community psychology. All the messages are archived and forms an interesting repository of material in its own 'write'.
What community psychology comprises is and has been,of course, a hotly contested matter but when the list was set up there were relatively many forums for discussion about clinical psychology, psychotherapy, counselling and relatively few forums for discussion about community psychology, at least in the UK. In addition, some argued that depoliticised, decontextualising, individualistic, intra-psychic approaches comprising the psy-complex, and taking both professional and non-professional forms were ideologically and practically problematic and argued for the development of alternatives, with the hope that community psychology might be or become such an alternative.
In you initial post you mentioned you are "offering a yoga workshop for therapists and other mental health professionals". If you have time and inclination - and in the spirit of a community psychology discussion list - I would be interested if you would say more about the senses in which you think of yoga as a manifestation of community psychology.
David
On Saturday, 9 November 2019, 23:22:15 GMT+10, Sophia Ansari <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hello Jen,
Thanks for your message.
Sorry I’m a little confused. I thought I was part of a community psychology/liberation psychology network by means of subscription to this e mail list.
I would definitely like to be an active member.
Please can you give me info.
Thanks
Sophia
SOPHIA ANSARI, MA. BWY dip, UKCP accredited.
Yoga therapy & somatic psychotherapeutic counselling.
www.sophiaansari.co.uk<http://www.sophiaansari.co.uk/>
Embodying liberation
www.sattvagaia.co.uk
[being w diff]
From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of paasouthwales
Sent: 09 November 2019 10:36
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Yoga liberation workshop
Hi Sophia,
Thank you for thinking of us. I've shared it on our networks. Would you be interested in joining our network? - I'd say mailing list but we've moved over to whatsapp.
Thanks
Jen
-------- Original message --------
From: Sophia Ansari <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 06/11/2019 19:51 (GMT+00:00)
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Yoga liberation workshop
Hello,
I am offering a yoga workshop for therapists and other mental health professionals.
Yoga is a praxis of liberation. My work is connected to the decolonizing, South Asian/ Diaspora worldwide leadership movement, currently challenging the commodification, cultural appropriation and devaluation of yoga.
If you wish to book in, please get in touch
Best wishes, Sophia
SOPHIA ANSARI, MA. BWY dip, UKCP accredited.
Yoga therapy & psychotherapeutic counselling.
www.sophiaansari.co.uk<http://www.sophiaansari.co.uk/>
Embodying liberation
www.sattvagaia.co.uk
Polishing the mirror of the heart
A yoga workshop with Sophia Ayesha Ansari
Sunday the 15th of December. 10.30- 3.30 p.m
Cardiff Yoga studio, 12 St peters street, Cardiff CF24 3BA
Investment: £45
Open to everyone, of particular interest to yoga teachers, therapists, caring and mental health professionals
Svadhyaya, an essential practice of yoga, is a self compassionate process of knowing and seeing one’s self in a non judgmental ‘mirror’
It entails holding space for self recognition and insight into one’s self.
Svadhyaya helps us move forwards in our lives. Through it, we can understand and overcome the past, befriend our mistakes, ease our shame and make changes.
As a merciful and powerful practice, it removes the emotional dust and stress imprints from our ‘inner mirror’, enabling us to consciously orchestrate our thoughts, feelings, behaviours, words and actions.
This workshop will focus on exploring the process and practice of Svadhyaya through yogic movement, posture, breath work, mudra, dialogue, sharing and journaling.
We begin the day by building trust, ease and a non judgemental environment for all participants. Throughout the workshop, we aim to slow down to percept feeling and sensation as well as the organisation of our energy and intention.
Svadhyaya relies on generating clarity and luminosity in our bodymind.
Essential in this process is the re calibration of our nervous system, the revitalisation of our organs, spine and circulation and the reduction of tension, fatigue and ama (undigested thoughts, feelings, experiences)
By returning to a spacious and balanced state, we can see clearly and with our hearts and minds.
Yoga is a sophisticated bodymind healing modality and spiritual psychology, inclusive to all. This workshop is therefore accessible to persons of any body shape, size, colour, gender, age and ability. Sophia is currently part of a decolonizing, South Asian/ Diaspora worldwide leadership movement, challenging the commodification, appropriation and devaluation of yoga.
She is an UKCP accredited psychotherapeutic counsellor and a Yoga teacher-therapist (BWY dip, Ayurveda therapy dip). Sophia has been teaching for 25 years and has since acquired further professional training in mindfulness, authentic movement and polyvagal-informed movement psychotherapy for trauma. She also has a Masters in History from SOAS (School of Oriental & African Studies). Sophia is in private practice in Cardiff offering yoga therapy and somatic psychotherapy to individuals and groups. This has included community practice: facilitating restorative yoga therapy to survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence and human trafficking.
___________________________________ The list is jointly managed by David Fryer [log in to unmask] and Grant Jeffrey [log in to unmask], either of whom are able to deal with queries. To unsubscribe or to change your details on this COMMUNITYPSYCHUK list, visit the website: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=COMMUNITYPSYCHUK
___________________________________ The list is jointly managed by David Fryer [log in to unmask] and Grant Jeffrey [log in to unmask], either of whom are able to deal with queries. To unsubscribe or to change your details on this COMMUNITYPSYCHUK list, visit the website: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=COMMUNITYPSYCHUK
___________________________________ The list is jointly managed by David Fryer [log in to unmask] and Grant Jeffrey [log in to unmask], either of whom are able to deal with queries. To unsubscribe or to change your details on this COMMUNITYPSYCHUK list, visit the website: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=COMMUNITYPSYCHUK
___________________________________ The list is jointly managed by David Fryer [log in to unmask] and Grant Jeffrey [log in to unmask], either of whom are able to deal with queries. To unsubscribe or to change your details on this COMMUNITYPSYCHUK list, visit the website: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=COMMUNITYPSYCHUK
___________________________________ The list is jointly managed by David Fryer [log in to unmask] and Grant Jeffrey [log in to unmask], either of whom are able to deal with queries. To unsubscribe or to change your details on this COMMUNITYPSYCHUK list, visit the website: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=COMMUNITYPSYCHUK
___________________________________ The list is jointly managed by David Fryer [log in to unmask] and Grant Jeffrey [log in to unmask], either of whom are able to deal with queries. To unsubscribe or to change your details on this COMMUNITYPSYCHUK list, visit the website: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=COMMUNITYPSYCHUK
___________________________________
The list is jointly managed by David Fryer [log in to unmask] and Grant Jeffrey [log in to unmask], either of whom are able to deal with queries.
To unsubscribe or to change your details on this COMMUNITYPSYCHUK list, visit the website:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=COMMUNITYPSYCHUK
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