How does it work?

From the yoga therapy perspective, the healing journey is supported in accordance with the teachings of the ancient yogic texts, aiming at the purification of body, mind, and emotions.

From a Western perspective, we facilitate healing of the nervous system to help balance the overall physiology, while at the same time promoting inner growth and wellness.

This is achieved through a range of tools such as breath, meditation, gentle therapeutic movement, sound, and more: it is not a one-size-fits-all approach and the individual client’s needs are skillfully assessed both at the beginning of the therapeutic relationship, and at the start of each individual session.

Yoga Therapy is a somatic therapeutic modality: it 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). By learning to rest our attention on the inner, everchanging flow of sensation and emotion as a felt-sense in the body, we can explore existing symptoms, emotions, or beliefs, and/or become aware of new information stored in the tissues of our physical body or on the more subtle layers of our being.

Attention and awareness have the potential on one hand to change what is present, and on the other to bring into awareness emotional material 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.

The principle of Ahimsa (non-harm) guides our whole work:

armors are built over time, and it can take just as long for them to release, particularly for that to happen in a safe way. Whether we’re working with breath or movement, the rule is being gentle with the body and kind with our whole self, respecting our body’s timing and own innate wisdom.

Through the progressive exploration of all layers of being (physical, energetic, emotional, mental, and spiritual), we eventually access the potential to come closer and closer to the perception of our true nature.

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.

Yoga Therapy is an effective integrative modality to support with chronic and acute health conditions; yet, just as any other alternative healing method, it is not intended as a substitute for traditional medical care.

FAQs

Q: Do I need an established yoga practice?

A: 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 and all somatic therapies even if you have very limited physical abilities.

Q: I am an advanced yoga practitioner: is yoga therapy a form of “yoga for special needs”?

A: No! Not only is Y.T. ideal to address wellness challenges that go beyond the physical, but it also is an opportunity to advance your practice by taking the focus off the more aesthetic approach of the form 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”.

Q: Are the teachings going to conflict with my existing spiritual beliefs?

A: 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.

Q: Can I use yoga therapy as an alternative to mainstream treatment for common conditions and mental health challenges?

A: This is not recommended. Although Yoga Therapy is an effective integrative modality to support with 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 healing.

Q: How many sessions do I need in order to experience benefits?

A: It varies from case to case, but generally 5 to 10 sessions are suggested. Although noticeable benefits can be experienced even after a single session, multiple sessions might be necessary to obtain and consolidate lasting results.

It is 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 suggested Home Plan.