The Course Overview
We all know the feeling of limiting beliefs and judgments that keep us from acting. While our inner critic has the best of intentions in wanting to protect us from harm, an inner critic gone rogue can lead us down a path of fear, anxiety, and inaction.
In this three-week course, participants will delve into the cultural, social, familial, and personal roots of their inner critic and explore mindfulness practices that can free them from the critic’s grip.
This course will be led by Stacie and is open to all women and non-binary femme folk.
Participants can expect:
Three in-person 2-hour classes
6 pre-recorded guided practices - two per week
Journaling prompts to support integration into daily life
Resource list
Course Content
Each week participants will examine - from different angles - their shared experiences and what makes their inner critic unique.
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In this first week, we will lay the foundation for the rest of our work together. Participants will be introduced to the type of mindfulness practice that will accompany them on this journey, discuss opportunities to integrate mindfulness into their daily routines, express their expectations for the course and dive into how to get the most out of the course and the resource list.
In a next step, participants will name their inner critic. They will consider their more formative years and big events of their lives that have contributed to their current relationship with their inner critic. We will explore what are potential triggers for a louder critic as well as where participants experience benefits of their critic’s interventions.
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In the second week, we will give attention to the extent of our comparisons. In the age of social media, it can be very discouraging to see how everyone else is doing it big and living the life of their dreams. We will explore the loneliness of comparison connectedness. And participants will explore ways to bring awareness to these comparisons in order to disrupt the narrative.
Participants will delve into the familial, cultural, societal, and - perhaps most importantly - personal conditioning that has formed their relationship with their inner critic. This week, especially, will be sensitive to each participant’s particular background and will give room for them to unlock only that what they are ready to review and integrate.
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In the third and final week, we will revisit some of the previous themes to recognise to what extent we judge ourselves and we judge others. Often when we use the words judge or judgment, we associate only negativity. However, passing positive judgment on ourselves and others is just another way in which we limit our realities, our possibilities and ourselves.
In this final week, participants will through reflections and exchange explore the possibility of shifting their relationship to their inner critic. In understanding the critic’s origin story, formation and reformation, the familiarity and safety it provides, and its game of interference, participants will commit to new boundaries with their inner critic.
Course Dates
Participants should only book this course if they know they can attend all three live sessions.
Live sessions will take place on three consecutive Tuesdays from 19:00 - 21:00 BST:
Tuesday, April 11th
Tuesday, April 18th
Tuesday, April 25th
Book your place
This is a joint event series - head on over to She’s Lost Control to book your spot!
Have questions?
Want to ask us a question about this event? Take a look through the FAQs to find answers to common queries. You are welcomed to reach out to us.
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Generally, people who identify as Black women or women of colour. However, this event series is in partnership with She’s Lost Control and is, thus, open to all women-identified people.
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No, not at all. We aren’t holding you to your abilities or knowledge. This event series will be formed in an intimate group and that affords us, your tutors, guides, to support you throughout.
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You must be all-in for this event series. It’s not possible to only book single classes. We emphasise creating a space in which sisters can exchange and build trust. This atmosphere would not thrive as well, if participants were changing throughout the the series.
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You don’t have to be an advanced yoga practitioner at all. We welcome the humblest of beginners. We’ll provide different options to accommodate all levels.
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There are no refunds or exchanges for virtual and urban retreats. No exceptions. Transfers are available at the discretion of OYA Retreats.