1. Professional Qualifications:

• A Yoga Therapist is a highly trained professional with a minimum of 1000 hours of yoga therapy training.
• A yoga therapist is trained to work with clients experiencing injury, illness, and mental health issues. 
• Yoga therapist create customized yoga practices that address their specific health concerns. 

2. Assessment of Physical and Mental Health:

• Conducts evaluations of an individual’s physical and mental health, lifestyle, and habits to formulate a safe and effective program.

3. Crafting Personalized Yoga Practices:

• Collaborates with individuals to devise a customized yoga practice tailored to their unique needs and goals.
• Modifies traditional postures or sequences to accommodate physical limitations or health conditions.
• Integrates techniques such as visualization, yoga philosophy, lifestyle recommendations, and guided meditation or mindfulness practices.

4. Collaborative Healthcare Approach:

• Engages in a collaborative practice by working with healthcare professionals to create an integrated treatment plan supporting overall wellness.

The number of yoga therapy sessions you’ll need depends on your individual goals and what you’re hoping to achieve. Many people find that a series of 10 sessions is effective in helping them feel a positive impact on their health and well-being. You can start with a shorter commitment of five sessions to see if you experience benefits.

In general, I recommend working on a weekly basis. The overall length of treatment will depend on your progress towards your goals.

Here are some additional factors that can influence the number of sessions you might need:

The specific condition you are addressing: Some conditions may require more or less focused attention than others.

Your overall health and fitness level: People with existing limitations may need more time to build strength and flexibility.

Your commitment to home self-care practice: Yoga therapy is most effective when combined with regular practice at home between sessions.

Yoga therapy is an investment in your health and well-being. Clients who are most successful are those who take it seriously and commit to regular sessions.

1. Initial Assessment:
   The session usually begins with an initial assessment, where the yoga therapist discusses the client’s medical history, current condition, and specific goals or concerns. This helps the therapist understand the client’s unique needs and design an appropriate treatment plan.
2. Discussion and Goal Setting:
   The therapist and client have a conversation about the client’s goals for the session or overall therapy process. This can involve discussing specific symptoms, areas of discomfort, emotional challenges, or desired outcomes.
3. Lifestyle and Self-Care Recommendations:
   The therapist may offer lifestyle suggestions, self-care practices, and simple exercises or stretches that the client can incorporate into their daily routine to support their overall well-being.

Please refer to yoga therapist scope of practice for more details:

https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.iayt.org/resource/resmgr/docs_certification_all/2020_updates_scope_ethics/2020-09_sop_v2.pdf

• Address Postural Imbalances: Identify and work on postural imbalances resulting from daily movements, injuries, chronic pain, or habitual stress responses.
• Enhance Joint Stability and Range of Motion: Cultivate joint health through targeted practices that stabilize and enhance your range of motion.
• Strengthen Weak Muscles: Prioritize underdeveloped muscles, promoting overall strength and resilience.
• Myofascial Release: Focused myofascial release targeting specific areas, releasing tightness, and improving tissue mobility.
• Release Chronic Muscular Contraction: Relief from chronic muscular tension.
• Boost Circulation: Promotion of increased blood flow, invigorating your system and contributing to enhanced vitality.
• Mind/Body Connection: Yoga therapy incorporates a holistic mind-body approach, effectively reducing stress and pain levels.
• Acceptance: In yoga therapy, there’s a dedicated focus on embracing day-to-day changes in mobility. This includes implementing strategies to foster self-compassion, heightened awareness, and an overall improvement in positive mental health.
• Recovering from Injuries: Once a doctor has cleared you for movement/yoga, use yoga therapy to support your recovery.
• Releasing Tension and Tightness: Utilize yoga therapy for targeted release of tension and tightness in muscles.
• Becoming More Embodied: Increase interoception and connect with your body on a deeper level through yoga therapy.
• Regulating the Autonomic Nervous System: Leverage yoga therapy to regulate the autonomic nervous system for overall well-being.
• Preventing Future Injuries: Awaken dormant muscles and support an active lifestyle to prevent future injuries.
• Relief of Stress/Anxiety and Depression: Find relief from stress, anxiety, and depression through the therapeutic benefits of yoga.
• Coping with Trauma/PTSD/Grief: Use yoga therapy as a tool for coping with trauma, PTSD, and grief.  

*(This list is by no means exhaustive :)*

The exceptions to confidentiality will occur if I suspect abuse of children or the elderly, or if you share an intent to harm yourself or another person.

We’ll discuss together in any of these situations and proceed accordingly.

Some of the tools employed in yoga therapy include (but are not limited to) the following: postures (Āsana), breath regulation (Prāṇāyāma), meditation (Dhyānam), dietary recommendations (Āhāra niyama), lifestyle suggestions (Vihāra niyama), chanting (Mantra), visualizations/affirmations (Bhāvanā), special energetic seals (Mudrā), symbolic gestures (Nyāsa), and guided self-inquiry (Svādhyāya).

Yoga therapy uniquely incorporates the concept of the five Koshas from yogic philosophy, representing layers that encompass various aspects of the human experience. This holistic approach considers the individual’s well-being on multiple levels. In yoga therapy, a tailored strategy is crafted to address the specific needs of each person, taking into account imbalances within the different Koshas. By systematically addressing each layer, yoga therapy endeavors to foster overall well-being and harmony across the physical, energetic, mental, wisdom, and bliss dimensions of the individual.

1. Annamaya Kosha (Physical Sheath):

   – Yoga Asana (Physical Postures): Focus on physical postures to address physical imbalances, enhance flexibility, and promote strength and stability.

   – Sattvic Food (Diet and Nutrition): Incorporate practices related to mindful eating and a balanced diet to support the physical body.

2. Pranamaya Kosha (Energetic Sheath):

   – Pranayama (Breathwork): Utilize breathwork techniques to balance and enhance the flow of prana (life force energy) within the body.

   – Energy Balancing: Address imbalances in the subtle energy system to promote vitality and overall well-being.

3. Manomaya Kosha (Mental Sheath):

   – Mindfulness and Meditation: Integrate mindfulness and meditation practices to address mental fluctuations, reduce stress, and cultivate mental clarity.

   – Cognitive Restructuring: Use yogic techniques to reframe thought patterns and promote a positive mental state.

4. Vijnanamaya Kosha (Wisdom Sheath):

   – Self-Inquiry and Reflection: Encourage self-inquiry and reflective practices to explore deeper aspects of oneself and tap into inner wisdom.

   – Yogic Philosophy Integration: Apply yogic philosophy to provide a framework for understanding life’s challenges and finding purpose.

5. Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Sheath):

   – Yoga Nidra and Relaxation: Incorporate practices like Yoga Nidra for deep relaxation and access to the blissful state.

   – Mind-Body-Spirit Connection: Address the holistic connection between body, mind, and spirit to foster a sense of inner joy and contentment.

In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the vyuha model unfolds as a four-step healing process, aiding in the discernment of root causes behind every symptom. The revelations from this exploration serve as a compass, guiding us towards the path of healing. 

The four-step Vyuha Model for healing, inspired by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras:

1.Heyam: Identify Symptoms

• List all aspects of suffering, regardless of their perceived significance.
• Yoga therapists gradually uncover the complete picture of a client’s suffering.

2. Hetu: Understand the Cause

•    Recognize diverse causes behind similar symptoms in individuals.
•    Avidya, a misperception of the Self, underlies all suffering, though immediate causes may vary.
•    Initial focus on symptom reduction often reveals primary causes over time.

3. Hanam: Define the Goal

•   Long-term aim: Calm the mind, enhance perception, and establish a connection with the spirit.
•   Short-term goal: Alleviate discomfort and improve well-being, adapting the plan based on impactful symptoms.

4. Upayam: Utilize Tools

•    Employ diverse tools in yoga therapy, including asana, pranayama, bhavana, mantra, meditation, and pratyahara.
•    The goal is to reduce suffering and restore balance; choosing and adapting tools is an art in fostering deeper self-connection.

If you feel like I might be a good fit, we can schedule our first session.

Every yoga therapy session is tailored to your unique needs and goals, so the specifics will vary. However, most sessions will incorporate some or all of the following elements:

• Classic Yoga Postures with a accessibility leaning (Asanas)
• Breath Regulation (Prāṇāyāma)
• Joints mobility (subtle, gentle and slow movements)
• Self-Myofascial Release
• Restorative Yoga Poses
• Meditation (Dhyānam)
• Conscious Relaxation techniques (Yoga Nidra)
• Visualizations/affirmations (Bhāvanā)
• Guided self-inquiry (Svādhyāya)
• Special energetic seals (Mudrā) and/or use of Marma points 
• Dietary recommendations (Āhāra niyama)
• Lifestyle suggestions (Vihāra niyama)
• Discussion of Yoga Philosophy/Ethics/Spiritual 
• Chanting (Mantra)
• Self-Care Home Practice – a daily routine you can do at home
• Book recommendations or other resources provided in order to learn more about yourself and to help support you as you continue on your wellness journey.

While there may be occasional overlap, the fundamental differences lie in personalization, therapeutic intent, and the specialized knowledge that yoga therapy brings to address individual health concerns and support healing.