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Yoga Therapy

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MindBody Skills

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WHAT IS YOGA THERAPY?
yoga therapy

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Yoga therapy is the application of yoga tools,  techniques and principles to medical and mental health conditions.

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Yoga therapy addresses the whole person - not only the physical body but how the mind, emotions, spirit and lifestyle choices affect health. There is a strong emphasis on understanding the mindbody connection and the role stress plays on your health and well being.

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Yoga therapy is not prescriptive Yoga therapy is person centered and customized to your unique goals, challenges and  strengths.

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Yoga therapy is best done in relationship. - it is a collaborative process You are the expert on your body, mind and life. I may suggest yoga postures or breathing techniques  but you give feedback if this works for you

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Yoga therapy is accessible and adaptive.  I make yoga accessible for adults of all ages, sizes, challenges, medical and mental health conditions.

I adapt yoga for physical challenges with props like chairs, the wall, blocks and straps. I have done yoga with people in bed,

If you can breathe and move one body part you can do yoga with me You can even start doing the movements in your imagination and get benefits 

 

Our initial session is an assessment and a time for us to get to know each other. We may do more talking than moving. I will ask you about your history with your current conditions, your goals, challenges, strengths, stressors and lifestyle. We will do a movement and range of motion assessment. We will end with some breathing in a relaxing restorative pose..

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In subsequent sessions we will develop a home practice customized to you.

This practice may include

  • body awareness exercises to increase interoception

  • breathing practices to regulate nervous system and reduce stress 

  • gentle breath focused movement (meditation in motion)

  • customized yoga sequences with modifications and props if needed

  • restorative yoga

  • myofascial release and acupressure

  • meditation

  • relaxation skills (guided imagery, yoga nidra, progressive body relaxation) 

 

Some people come to yoga therapy to design or modify a home practice for a medical condition or after surgery. Others prefer  ongoing guided sessions.

 

WHAT CONDITIONS COULD BENEFIT FROM YOGA THERAPY?

 

I offer yoga therapy for the following conditions:

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Mental and Emotional Health: anxiety, depression, trauma, Aging brains

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Nervous System Regulation (Conditions influenced by Vagus Nerve): Fibromyalgia, Long Covid, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME, Anxiety/Depression, Trauma, Chronic Pain, GI issues like Irritable Bowel

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Chronic Pain: Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Back Pain

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Women's Health: Fertility, Peri/menopause, Osteoporosis, Women's Cancers

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Aging Issues: Joint  Replacements, Balance, Posture, Walking better, Good Brain, 

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Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Issues: Back, Knee, Hip, Shoulder, Neck Issues Joint Replacennt (Pre/post rehab), Fibromyalgia, Arthritis

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Other Conditions: Cancer, High Blood Pressure, GI issues, Parkinson's, MS

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More  Specific Information on Yoga Therapy for Anxiety, Vagus Nerve Conditions, Arthritis Below

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yoga for anxiety
YOGA THERAPY for ANXIETY​

Yoga, meditation and other mindbody skills can be invaluable tools of you are feeling anxious, stressed overwhelmed, burned out, depressed or isolated.

Research  shows that these tools can make changes in the brain and nervous system so you feel calmer and have more peace of mind and ease of heart. 

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I will teach you an effective toolkit of effective yoga, meditation and mindfulness techniques  designed to  to manage anxiety.

You  will: 

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  • Learn how yoga and meditation can make changes in the mind, body, brain and nervous system that  can improve mood and help you feel calmer and help you create more peace of mind and ease of heart.

  • Practice meditation in motion. Learn yoga, restorative yoga and meditation sequences for  relaxation, for grounding, to manage monkey mind and for letting go. 

  • Engage the vagus nerve to transition from the flight/fight/freeze mode to the rest and digest mode. You will also learn the role of the gut brain in managing mood. 

  • Learn how neuroplasticity can change patterns on the body, nervous system and the brain. Yoga and meditation can actually change the structure of the brain and influence neurotransmitters. 

  • Learn how learning to practice mindfulness and interoception can foster resilience and stress hardiness.

  • Develop an understanding of your unique stress patterns and how to work with them

  • Learn First Aid techniques for panic attacks

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anxiety

YOGA  for  ARTHRITIS and CHRONIC PAIN

Yoga and yoga therapy can be very beneficial for people with arthritis - it can reduce inflammation, help increase mobility and flexibility, help you deal with the suffering of chronic pain, help you deal with depression and anxiety that often come with chronic conditions, get you moving again if you feel stuck

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These services are for you if you:

  • Are diagnosed with arthritis or fibromyalgia  and wonder if you can do yoga with your joint issues and pain (you can with modifications)

  • Had a yoga practice and want to get back to the mat

  • Are not moving/sitting a lot because of pain and are stiffening up making you feel stuck

  • Want new strategies to deal with suffering of  chronic pain

  • Want to avoid/delay surgery or joint replacement

  • Need a joint replacement and want pre/post rehab

  • Want to decrease stress, anxiety and depression related to your arthritis

  • Are afraid of walking and falling or have balance issues

 

During or sessions we will

  • Work on increasing mobility, flexibility and strength

  • Find the best expression of yoga poses for your body We may use props like chairs, wall, blocks and straps to make each pose accessible to you.

  • Learn effective  stress management and relaxation skills

  • Learn pain management strategies that may decrease pain and suffering from pain on and off the mat

  • Learn how neuroplasticity can repattern your body and mind to increase flexibility, mobility and change your relationship to chronic pain, Learn how the brain and nervous system may play a role in perpetuating chronic pain.

  • Release contraction of connective tissue around joints increasing ease of movement.

  • Explore mindfulness, interoception, gentle breath focused movement (meditation in motion)

  • Deal with fear of movement if needed

 

I teach yoga for Arthritis on and individual and group basis. I do recommend some private sessions to customize  the poses for your body.

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For Information on Classes : 

 

For more information on Individual therapy see above

 

For a discovery call, to book your first session or more information 

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