Yoga Therapy
What is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga therapy’s efficacy as a therapeutic discipline is well supported by a growing body of scientific research. Many people are increasingly turning to therapeutic yoga to support their health & wellbeing with promising results in the use of yoga in the treatment of trauma, mental health conditions including anxiety and depression, as well as cancer, menopause and chronic health conditions. Increasingly, doctors and healthcare practitioners are recommending yoga therapy to compliment conventional (allopathic) treatment.
Yoga therapy involves the targeted application of yogic tools and practices including asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation and relaxation practices, mudras (bodily gestures), mantras & affirmation (verses and phrases that hold healing and transformation qualities), cleansing and detoxification practices and Ayurvedic living practices to support optimal health and wellbeing.
Yoga therapy is holistic in its focus – it is not confined to only the physical dimension of health and wellbeing. Yoga therapy adopts a holistic and integrated lens that looks at the whole person. Yoga therapy involves looking at the Koshas, or layers of self; including the physical, energetic, mental/emotional and spiritual aspects of our being. Prana, our life force energy, is assessed in terms of the chakras (energy centres in the body) and the Vayus (the direction and qualities of the flow of energy) which influence the functioning of all body systems and our state of health and wellbeing.
Yoga therapy with Life Elevated is client focused and meets each person where they are. Through tailored mind-body practices and tools specific to clients’ presenting issues and health & wellbeing goals, yoga therapy empowers and supports you to achieve, and sustain, optimal health and wellbeing.
In a typical one-on-one yoga therapy programme, you can expect:
An initial consultation focusing on your unique needs. This will involve exploring your medical history and current state of health and your specific physical, mental and emotional needs.
An assessment of your breath, posture, gait and range of motion to enable the right combination of practices to be recommended.
A therapy plan incorporating practices tailored to your presenting issues and health & wellbeing goals. A yoga therapy programme will typically run for at least 3-6 sessions. The duration of a programme is determined by the client’s specific needs and health and wellbeing goals.
A holistic and integrated approach. Yoga therapy sessions typically incorporate asanas (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), mantra (verses with potent healing and transformation qualities), mudras (symbolic gestures which have specific effects on the mind- body system), meditation and relaxation practices. Sessions may draw on tools and techniques from positive psychology, neuroscience and coaching to facilitate self enquiry, clarity and to support clients to put in place strategies to overcome unproductive and/or limiting thought and behaviour patterns.
Home practice/ reflection. Yoga therapy aims to empower people to reclaim their health and wellbeing – you’ll come away from sessions with practices to incorporate into your day to life. In order for the programme to be effective, there needs to be commitment from you to do the practices regularly. Consistency is key!
Yoga Therapy Options
Yoga therapy sessions are available both in person or online (via Zoom or Skype). Yoga therapy involves a holistic and progressive approach with each session building on the next – for this reason, I do not offer one off sessions. Email namaste@thelifeelevated.com to arrange a discovery session and find out about how a tailored yoga therapy programme could support you to reclaim your health and wellbeing and THRIVE.
In person and online group yoga therapy sessions are scheduled throughout the year. Group therapeutic sessions focus on a specific aspect of health and wellbeing, for instance yoga therapy for back pain, arthritis, menopause, anxiety, depression etc. Please go to Life Elevated Facebook Events page for details of upcoming sessions.
Find Group Yoga Therapy Sessions
Subscribe to Life Elevated You Tube channel using for access to FREE yoga therapy resources
Ayurvedic Yoga Massage Therapy
Ayurvedic Yoga Massage therapy is a therapy combining deep tissue massage, assisted (passive) yoga stretching and guided breathwork.
The AYM method was developed by Master Kusum Modak of Pune, India after many years of studying traditional Ayurvedic massage and Iyengar yoga. AYM is a unique therapeutic madality which works on physical, emotional, mental and energetic levels.
What to expect during an Ayurvedic Yoga Massage
A floor- based treatment which starts with an oil massage using the hands and feet to gradually warm up and soften the muscle tissues and improve circulation.
AYM incorporates guided breathwork to calm the nervous system and promote deep relaxation.
Assisted (passive) yoga stretches, gentle mobilisations and tractions are used to stretch and mobilise the muscles, tendons, joints and ligaments to improve the range and ease of movement – this can be particularly beneficial in the case of injuries and muscular adhesions and tension.
AYM treatments can be arranged in the comfort of your own home or can take place at Holistic Services Wellness Centre, Nelson. South Wales (CF46 6PD)
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