WHERE HAVE I BEEN & WHAT IS YOGA THERAPY?
Well, it's been a while, hasn't it. I laugh each time I see a particular ad on television where a young girl jumps out of bed, excited for school, runs to her computer and then realizes the situation we are in. Her head plops down onto the computer keyboard as if saying 'Oh, No!!!!'
And, I am continually impressed by the ways people are keeping themselves busy. To quote one of the students in my yoga teacher training -- it's hard to believe that I am SO busy during a time when almost everything is shut down.
I've been busy as well. My Yoga Therapy classes at Loyola Marymount Univ. in LA are now coming to me via Zoom. I've signed up for numerous classes and courses related to yoga teaching and therapy. I've been doing both professional (yoga) and recreational (fiction) reading. I've pulled out the guitars (again) and have been practicing almost every day (I'm even logging date/time/what I've practiced and on which guitar). On a side note -- you do know that no decent guitar player has only ONE guitar, don't you? Well, I'm not in that 'decent' category yet, but I do have 3 guitars waiting to be practiced on. One must always be prepared.
I thought I'd take some time today to talk about Yoga Therapy. So, here goes:
All yoga has the potential to be 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. Many people first learn about yoga through its physical practices, but a common misconception is that it’s only about stretching or poses. In fact, yoga therapy can help people who can’t move at all, as well as active individuals!
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 and affect healing.
A general public yoga class can certainly ease everyday aches, pains, and mood complaints. But a yoga therapy session goes much further because it is tailored to an individual, as opposed to the group.
My training as a Yoga Therapist has focused on detailed exploration of the body, mental health, breath work, all to help me assess and keep my clients safe. I work with you to address your specific goals while considering any limitations you might be experiencing. The practices I, as a Yoga Therapist, recommend could include:
Movement ranging from gentle to vigorous
Breathing techniques
Meditation or visualization practices
Physical postures that address specific areas of discomfort or musculoskeletal imbalances
Any combination of tools like these!
It all depends on what you need to increase your health and well-being. It is NOT a replacement for conventional medical treatments, it is an adjunct methodology.
So, what happens today - July 22? Each day, I look at the calendar just to keep myself straight. It used to be so automatic (pre-Covid), jump out of bed, ready to go, with a plan in mind. Some days now it is more of a 'muddle' (an untidy or disorganized state). But, today, I spend several hours with the graduating group of Yoga Teachers who have spent much longer than they planned with me, due to the closures. We will be done by the end of the month. Then - for all of us - a much-needed break.
Have a great day, wear your mask & take care!