Yoga Therapy is…
“the professional application of the principles and practices of yoga to promote health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship that includes personalized assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management, and yoga practices for individuals or small groups.”
What is Somatic Yoga Therapy?
From the yoga therapy perspective, the wellness journey is supported in accordance with the teachings of the ancient yogic texts, aiming at the purification of body, mind, and emotions. The principles of Yoga Therapy are rooted in its sister science, Ayurveda, and grounded in classical yoga philosophy. In addition, all practices used are evidence-based and backed by contemporary science and research, such as neuroscience, psychoneuroimmunology, and all fields backing up modern mind-body medicine.
From a Western perspective, these practices facilitate a gradual healing of the nervous system through polyvagal theory-informed, natural vagus nerve stimulation techniques and embodiment practices to promote self-regulation, vagal tone, and resilience, while balancing the overall physiology.
The somatic approach relies on interoception, an internal sense modulated by our autonomic nervous system, to access and assess our inner environment on multiple levels (physical, emotional, etc). The concept of interoception reminds us of the precept of Svadhyaya (self-study) in the ancient Hindu sage Patanjali’s sacred text, the Yoga Sutras. By learning to rest our attention on the inner, ever-changing flow of sensation and emotion as a felt-sense in the body, we can explore existing symptoms, emotions, or beliefs as they manifest as sensation, and become aware of new information stored in the tissues of our physical body or in the more subtle layers of our being.
Attention and embodied awareness have the potential to change what is present, and to bring into awareness emotional material for release before it has a chance to become somatized.
Release is a gentle, paced process happening in absolute respect of personal boundaries, and it is never pushed or forced to happen before the client is ready. Sudden release is possible, but not always desirable.
The holistic, yogic approach to wellness begins by considering the hindrances to health and well-being in all aspects of the human self (kleshas).
Through the progressive exploration of all layers of being or koshas (physical, energetic, emotional, mental, and spiritual), we access the potential to come closer and closer to the perception of our true nature, our inherent state of wholeness that is always present and always healed.
In the process, the sustained act of listening to “what is” begins to shed light on the repeated patterns (samskaras) that have been in the way of our well-being.
This work is guided by Ahimsa (non-harming), another one of Patanjali’s Yamas and Nyamas: physical tension and emotional blocks are built over time as part of an intelligent self-protective mechanism, and it can take just as long for them to safely release. Whether we’re working with breath or therapeutic movement, the rule is to be gentle with the body and kind to our whole self, respecting our body’s timing and innate wisdom.
At times, Home Plan is designed for the client as an extra step, consisting of a personalized, Yoga Therapy-based, Lifestyle Medicine Program to be followed at home with the coaching support of the Therapist.
Who Needs Yoga Therapy?
As a “bottom-up” approach, Yoga Therapy can be an effective complementary modality for persons affected by PTSD and common mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It is also optimal for working with the somatic aspect of intense, difficult emotions, making it an ideal modality when dealing with the storms of life, such as a tough diagnosis, the aftermath of trauma, loss of any kind, and, in general, difficult life transitions. While complementing any ongoing traditional therapeutic intervention, yoga therapy does NOT replace proper, qualified, professional mental health support.
Yoga Therapy has been proved effective in supporting with chronic pain, physical ailments, and chronic or acute health conditions; yet, just as any other alternative healing method, it is not intended as a substitute for traditional medical care, nor is this profession (or I personally) making any claims to “heal” or “cure” anyone’s body or mind, or to reverse any diagnosis, illness, pain, or injury.
I mention this in utter respect of the workings of our body; in deference to the large body of scientific research showing the effectiveness of many of the practices used, and of the many medical professionals that devote their lives to curing or managing life-threatening diseases that are extremely difficult to understand and control; and ultimately, in reverence of the mystery and wisdom of Nature, Life, and our Higher Source itself.
This service is offered as an available choice in a range of resilience-building lifestyle and behavior practices within an optional, multidisciplinary approach to preventing or managing chronic and acute conditions, facilitating emotional regulation, and fostering spiritual growth.
FAQs
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Sessions begin after an initial consultation and after filling out an intake form consisting of a holistic wellness questionnaire. The first session includes a skillful, detailed assessment. At the beginning of each following session, the client is briefly assessed, as our states vary daily based on times of the day, seasons, and other personal variables. Based on that, appropriate interventions will follow with the purpose of achieving a state of balance. The tools used can include breath, therapeutic movement, sound, and various somatic embodiment practices.
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No yoga experience is required: in fact, many of the practices we use involve little or no movement. You can enjoy the benefits of yoga therapy and any somatic therapeutic practice even if you have very limited physical abilities.
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A: No! Y.T. is an opportunity to advance your practice by taking the focus off the more surface approach of form and effort, and delving deeper into the nuances of the inner and outer experience, allowing it to grow in depth and authenticity, perfecting it through detailed, extremely subtle explorations of familiar asana, in a realm where “less is more” and “slower is better”.
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Y. T. is ideal as a complementary modality, but it is not intended an alternative to mainstream treatment. Although Yoga Therapy is an effective integrative modality to support with some chronic and acute health conditions, just as any other alternative healing method, it is not intended as a substitute for traditional medical care. Please continue with your prescribed treatment as you explore yoga therapy as a safe, beneficial modality with the potential to promote health and support you on your ongoing healing path.
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Noticeable benefits can be experienced even after a single session, yet multiple sessions are usually more effective for obtaining lasting results. Generally speaking, a minimum of 5 to 10 sessions is suggested.
Please consider that a goal-oriented approach can often hinder rather than accelerate progress, and the healing journey is not always a straight line.
It is also important to note that ultimately, improvements are greatly dependent on the client’s willingness to put the learnings to use in everyday life and consistently practice the optional Home Plan.
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No. Yoga Therapy looks at the person as a whole, addressing physical and emotional symptoms, lifestyle, and spirituality, while respecting individual belief systems and never imposing a particular philosophical or spiritual viewpoint.
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"She addresses my problems from a variety of different complex frameworks that make up the practice of Yoga Therapy and Lifestyle Medicine."
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"Letizia identified the source of several body aches and methods to ease this discomfort, including anatomical illustrations and diagrams of simple but effective stretching and breathing exercises."
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"She has helped me resolve some lifelong issues and I am very grateful for her gentle, yet powerful approach to yoga therapy."