Yoga Therapy
The interweaving of health-fullness
What is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga is at its core, an ancient spiritual tradition and way of being in the world which is deeply rooted in the Indian Subcontinent.
Yoga Therapy is a modern discipline that has adapted elements of Yoga to primarily support health and healing. Yoga Therapy draws upon Asana (physical movement), Pranayama (control of the breath), Dharna (concentration) and Dhyãna (meditation). It also draws upon elements of yogic lifestyle to contemplate and weave in to day to day life.
Yoga Therapy is open to everybody and every body. It’s a person centred approach meaning each session is tailored to your needs. Yoga Therapy has adopted the framework of the Five Layered Self or Pancha Kosha, that comes from the Taittiriya Upanishad, a traditional text. It views each individual as comprising five, uniquely, inter-weaving layers consisting of the physical, energetic, mind/emotion, wisdom and heart layers. As we are all uniquely us, no one person will ever have the same needs.
In hospital medicine, when living with chronic disease or changes associated with ageing, there can be so much focus on physicality. This can sometimes make us feel that we are incomplete or no longer whole. I believe that health is about more than just the physical aspect. It is possible to live well with a chronic disease and be uniquely you. The Pancha Kosha shows us that everything interconnects including our relationships with our communities and the world around us.
Yoga Therapy doesn’t claim to cure or fix anything.
It offers an opportunity to explore that old English word, hǣlth. Whose meaning is “wholeness, a being whole or sound.”
The research
There is evidence that dates back as far as the 1970’s showing that yoga can be used to improve health.
The first studies pertained to the reduction of blood pressure through meditation.
In the UK, Yoga Therapy is recognised by the NHS, but it is not readily available on the NHS.
These benefits include strength, balance, flexibility, bone health, functional breathing, pain management, bringing balance to the nervous system, restorative rest, coordination, reduction in blood pressure, connection and gratitude.
There is much research being done on the scientific benefits of Yoga Therapy and other Mind Body Interventions, such as mindfulness meditation. It is increasingly showing that regular practice can lead to beneficial changes throughout the body, including the cardiovascular system and nervous system, right the way down to the cellular level.
Yoga Therapy Sessions
If you are interested in working with me. Then please email me to arrange a free chat about how I can support you. We are all different. I want to ensure that I am the right person to support you, and also give you the opportunity to ask questions.
We will then undertake a Yoga Therapy Intake, which is a discussion where I ask you lots of questions about yourself and you can share as much, or as little as you wish to. This session is free and usually lasts about an hour.
Based on the Intake, we then start our yoga therapy sessions together.
What I really want you to know, is that everything is adapted to you. We only work at your pace. This is about you, not me.
Yoga Therapy is for every body.
I work with everybody.
Given my medical background though, my main interest is in working with those who have conditions associated with ageing such as falls, frailty, memory impairment. And in working with those who are living with a chronic disease.
This is because I strongly value what Yoga Therapy can bring to the lived experience and I want to share that with as many people as possible. And just a reminder, I do not offer any medical advice.
What to expect
I currently only work online via Zoom. However, If you have a strong desire for in-person sessions, then do reach out to discuss this further.
In each session you can expect, a warm welcome.
A settling of the body. Supported with props and/or a chair.
Movement adapted to your body and level of fitness/health.
Breath Gym; adopting the functional breath.
Relaxation & Yoga Nidra. This is the part of the session my clients adore the most!
Price
You may have noticed that I do not have a price list.
This is because we all have different economic circumstances.
If you believe that working with me will be beneficial to you but feel that it may be unaffordable. Please email me.