Yoga therapy is based in the ancient philosophy of Vedanta, the structure underlying yoga and much of Eastern thought. This work seeks to achieve balance and harmony on all Five Bodies (or koshas): physical, energetic, mental/emotional, psychological/belief systems, and the body of spirit/subtle connections.
Although all yoga is potentially therapeutic and healing, yoga therapy is the specific application of yogic tools—postures/exercises, breathwork, meditation techniques, and more—to address an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional needs.
The yogic model of health is unique because it addresses every aspect of life rather than considering each body part or system separately. Yoga therapy is a safe way of working with the natural capacity of your body and mind to optimize well-being.
This includes the environment, community and culture both locally and globally.
What is Yoga Therapy?
I’m often asked that question and I want to share some details with you that describe yoga therapy:
The Practice requires a detailed intake form that will be used with the assessment for the first session or class.
Assessment is also an important part of the process. We begin with a very hands on assessment to help understand what is going on specifically and systemically. Each session will be an update or a re-assessment so that we can measure and keep track of the results we are seeing.
We work with specific goals in the practice. You will be asked to come in with specific goals and intentions and we will evolve them as the practitioner and practice evolve.
You are asked to do homework! Creating a practice that the client is working on regularly is a key element to the yoga therapy practice. Each session, notes can be taken and questions asked regarding the home work practice that is the real key to healing.
One of the super powers of yoga therapy is the ability to relate the specific concerns to the bigger picture, to move from the microcosm to the macrocosm and back. In this way we can take your specific goal and connect to your whole self and also the systems in which we live.
We know medical language, vocabulary, diagnosis and symptoms. In this way we can help you communicate with your other care providers, or you can connect us. We will want to know what is going on in your medical health both physical and mental to bring a sense of wholeness to the table.
Yoga Therapists have hundreds of hours of training and are always keeping up on continuing education.
Yoga therapists listen deeply all aspects of yourself: body, energy,, mind/emotions and spirit. Our intention is to bring that deep listening into your practice so that the practice of deep listening, knowledge of self and integration are yours to cultivate. We hold you sacred in that process.