Today, you can change the “4 HOURS …” to “3 HOURS …”; but, for now (7:30 am on 1/13/21), it is still 4. In my last class of Yoga Therapy training, I’ve completed the needed 60 hours (actually have done 65+), I’ve done the needed video of one session, and have logged 8 of 12 hours with my mentor.

When this class began, I was worried where I could find people to work with me. For a nominal fee, 8 wonderful people signed up. And, each of them has been compliant — attending weekly appointments, doing the work I suggested, and coming back each week with suggestions, questions, valuable insights.

What has this taught me? That I have the knowledge to work with different people struggling with various challenges, that I can be organized (thinking of computer and needed paperwork), that I am able to become the teacher / friend to many different personalities. It has been an over-the-top experience.

One of the assignments my mentor asked of me was to write a description of Yoga Therapy and the services I offer. That description is below (it is also on my website, but this saves you having to ‘click’ to read it). Here goes:

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Yoga Therapy is an adjunct therapy to traditional medical practices. As a Yoga Therapist, I will use methods meant to offer calm where there is anxiety; stability where there is doubt or challenge; strength where there is vulnerability.  

Unlike yoga classes or private yoga sessions, Yoga Therapy sessions offer tools to handle adversity, discomfort, apprehension, pain, etc.  

In the yoga therapy sessions I conduct, you can count on the following:

• Complimentary First Session “Meet & Greet” - I feel it is important for both of us to feel comfortable working together.

• An Initial Assessment - An opportunity for me to know you better. During an assessment, I will ask questions about:

• your goals for our sessions together,

• your medical history - diagnosis / medications / treatment

• your lifestyle (diet and exercise),

• any past injuries, current injuries and/or chronic issues, and

• the impact your current and past history has on your activity level.

       The next step of our initial assessment will be to: 

• work with you through appropriate movement, and

• offer ‘homework’ (things to do at home in service of your goal(s)).

• Follow-Up Visits, which will include:

• evaluation of progress towards your goal(s),

• review and revising movement plans, and

• discuss your concerns, if any.

Within us all is a strength and level of resilience waiting to be uncovered. It is my goal to help clients embrace and reveal this inner power.

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Interestingly, I just read another Yoga Therapist’s definition - one that you may relate to. Click here to read.

Other than completing this class, life goes on — someone recently compared our lives these days to the movie “Groundhog Day”. We (Howard and I) are doing what many are - cleaning, organizing, de-cluttering, taking care of long-overdue home improvements, and - best of all - getting to know our neighbors a bit better.

Our holidays (Christmas and New Years) were quiet. Fortunately, we were able to enjoy a socially-distant, outside Christmas dinner with our SoCal Grand-Dudes and their Mom & Dad (one of the benefits of living in Southern California).

I wish each of you a peaceful 2021 — hopefully, it is a year of health and equanimity.