What is Yoga Therapy?
( EAST MEETS WEST — FOR YOU )
YOGA THERAPY is a synthesis of the ageless wisdom from the East (Yoga) with integrative and traditional Western medical practices. Integrative Medicine is healing-oriented medical practice that takes into account the whole person (body, mind, emotions, and spirit), as well as lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative.
In this context, Yoga Therapy will use the teachings and practices of yoga to increase self-awareness and engage the client/student’s energy toward desired goals. It is an adjunct therapy to traditional and integrative medical wellness practices.
Through the use of physical postures, breath work, guided imagery, and meditation, Yoga Therapy will focus on you - the individual - taking into consideration your goals, stress and/or pain levels, physical characteristics, life style, challenges, and strengths.
The goals of Yoga Therapy are to:
Reduce symptoms that cause suffering,
Improve function,
Help to prevent the occurrence or re-occurrence of underlying cause of illness,
Move toward wellness,
Offer guidance for aging gracefully, and
Improve Quality of Life.
Yoga Therapy also helps clients/students change their relationship to and identification with their challenges.
As a Certified Yoga Therapist, Leslie has received 800+ hours of specialized training and skill development to support the relationship between the client/student and therapist and to effect positive change for the individual. (These hours are in addition to the 500+ hours of training to teach Yoga.) Additionally, her Certification through IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists) commits her to stringent guidelines regarding education, continuing education, scope of practice parameters, and HIPAA compliance.
Benefits of Yoga Therapy* include, but are not limited to:
Gentle increase in strength, flexibility, agility, & balance,
Pain relief,
Ease arthritis symptoms,
Improve heart health (recent studies show blood pressure is positively affected),
Enhance sleep patterns,
Increase energy, alertness, focus,
Provide tools for stress management,
Connection to a supportive community,
Improve Quality of Life,
Promote better self-care.
*Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine
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“If you don’t make time for your wellness,
you will be forced to make time for your illness.
(Please read that again).”