Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured, and endure what cannot be cured – BKS Iyengar
What is Yoga Therapy?
Personalized approach…
Each and every one of us is unique at all levels – physically, physiologically, psychologically and deeper. To recognize and respect the individuality in every individual is the foundation of Yoga Therapy. Yoga therapy is a personalized approach to relieving your pain and discomfort along with the stress that emanates from that. Yoga has always been a holistic healing discipline that offers numerous tools for supporting health, healing and personal transformation. Yoga therapy considers the body a holistic entity made up of different dimensions – physical body, breath, mind, personality traits, and emotions that are mutually dependent on and mutually influence one another.
Offers many tools…
When you think of yoga in the West most people associate it with postures for stretching and flexibility. Postures are just one of the many tools that yoga offers. Other tools include:
- Conscious breathing practices
- Meditation and mindfulness techniques
- visualization
- Healing sounds, mantras, chanting
- Guided relaxation, yoga nidra
- Yoga Philosophy and principles
- Dietary and life style recommendations-based on the practices of Ayurveda
Empowers you…
These tools will empower you to support the optimal functioning of your parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn supports homeostasis and healing. Rather than being a passive recipient to treatment, you are actively engaged in your well-being and responsible for your recovery.
The Yoga therapist acts as a guide, selecting the tools for recovery and teaching the appropriate way to implement these tools. Once this is done, it is up to you to practice diligently, observe any changes and provide the feedback to your Yoga Therapist. This way the healing comes from within you, rather than from the outside.
Complements all other systems of treatment…
Where general Yoga group classes keeps you on the steady path of wellness and regular practice provides the equanimity to cope with the stresses and various stages of life, Yoga Therapy specifically targets the root cause of affliction. The goal of Yoga Therapy is to heal by appeasing the symptoms, positively enhance quality of life and thereby reducing suffering. Because it is not chemical, Yoga Therapy is a complement to other systems of treatment.
Consultation process
Yoga is 99% practice and % knowledge` – Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois
Once you choose Yoga Therapy as a mode of healing and treatment the consultations will include:
- Initial Consultation: A comprehensive assessment of the individual – health and medical history, current physical, mental, emotional condition, short term and long term health and wellness goals
- Based on the assessment, a custom made yoga practice is created, taught and practiced together.
- To guide your home practice, I will provide you the custom practice on a sheet with diagrams and written guidelines.
- The first consultation and yoga session lasts 90 minutes and follow up sessions are 60 minutes.
- During the Follow-Up sessions we discuss the effects of the practice at all levels – physically, energetically, mentally and emotionally. Accordingly, the practice may have to be revised and updated. As you change, so must the practice!
- The duration between visits ranges depending on the individual and quality of their home practice. In the beginning it is advisable to see each other weekly or bi-weekly and then eventually, every month to an as you need basis.
Who Is Yoga Therapy For?
Yoga is a journey from dependence…to independence – Yoga Sutra 2.25
Yoga Therapy is for everyone.If you would like to address any physical, mental and emotional health conditions; Yoga Therapy is for you.
If you want to improve and maintain energy levels, efficiency, attention and gain better clarity and calmness; Yoga Therapy is for you.
If you would like a customized personal practice that evolves with you; Yoga Therapy is for you.
Even if you don’t have any reason; Yoga Therapy is for you!
What are the benefits?
Yoga is a way to freedom. By its constant practice, we can free ourselves from fear, anguish and loneliness – Indra Devi
Everyone can benefit from Yoga Therapy regardless of medical condition. Since Yoga impacts all levels of the human system – Physical, physiological, psychological and much deeper, the individual not only feels better, but also gains a way to actively participate in the care of his or her own health. Common benefits experienced by many Yoga Therapy practitioners include, but are not limited to:
Quality of Life
- Eliminate insomnia
- Improve quality of sleep
- Promote relaxation
- Improve quality of relationships
- Assist with weight loss
- Promote healthy food habits (less emphasis on sugar, caffeine)
- Promote healthy life habits (decrease craving for alcohol, smoking
Physical
- Decrease pain
- Increase ease of breathing
- Improve ease of movement
- Improve joint mobility
- Decrease risk of falls
- Improve spine / joint stability
- Increase strength and flexibility
Physiological
- Increase circulation (especially peripheral)
- Improve digestion
- Improve immunity
- Increase distal sensation
- Increase amount of O2 in blood
- Regulate heart rate
- Regulate blood pressure
- Regulate respiratory rate
Psychological
- Increase emotional stability
- Increase confidence
- Reduce depression
- Reduce panic attacks and anxiety
- Reduce fear
- Increase level of alertness and sharpness of mind
- Acceptance of limitations
Other Benefits
- Reducing pain and discomfort
- Overcoming physical or emotional trauma
- Recovering from illness, injury, addiction, or other health concerns.