Who Can Benefit?

There are three different levels of yoga therapy practice.

Initial Phase

The client is generally experiencing an acute issue that is impacting their daily life. This could be physical pain, emotional distress, or issues with physiological functions such as sleep and appetite. Yoga Therapy will address these acute issues first. The therapeutic practice designed will be gentle and appropriate for these specific issues.

Second Phase

The focus is on developing a practice geared toward maintaining and building upon what has been achieved from the previous level after the acute issue has been resolved. New goals such as further developing and maintaining strength, balance, flexibility, peace and overall well-being are developed. The practice developed at this point can be more rigorous, but tailored to strengthen those areas of previous concern.

Third Phase

The third level is meant to transform the individual. The practice is designed to reorient the individual’s overall patterns of functioning, so that they function at a higher level in line with their purpose and to bring peace into their life. The focus is for the individual to be able to cope with the difficulties in their life without being overwhelmed and for them to find calm, peace, and purpose in their life and daily actions.

The overall goal is to soothe immediate symptoms so then the therapist may begin to work on eliminating or alleviating the root cause of the problem.

Each human system is completely unique in and of itself. A technique or application may work for an individual, while the same application may not work for another with the same symptoms. This is why a relationship must be formed between student and teacher. The therapist’s role is to have a deeper understanding about how this individual is experiencing life or how their pain or disease affects them on a personal level.

In the initial intake, I may inquire about your sleep habits, digestion (of food as well as past or present experiences), and health of relationships (with yourself and others, as well as your relationships with other aspects of life). What are you doing with your body regularly? Sitting at a desk all day or on your feet? Are you a runner or a couch potato? Do you carry excessive stress? Every variable has a role in how your system is functioning. I’ll determine the most appropriate course of practice based on the information.

A precise plan is written down and taught to the client. Ideally you will do the practice daily, as this is how it works most effectively. A short practice of fifteen minutes a day is more effective than attending an hour long class 2 or 3 times a week. Your willingness to do the work is aided by the therapeutic relationship. Typically it can be quite an intimate relationship since so many facets of life are considered.

There is an art to this process that only comes with much practice, experience, and guidance from teachers.