what is yoga therapy?
Through the lens of yoga therapy, we explore the many complex layers that make us human. As human beings we are messy, in all our glory. Our mind can be a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions which change like the wind, some days they are blustery and some days a gentle whisper. When it’s blustery the mind can feel hard to tame, this can lead to overwhelm and we may find it hard to self-regulate; our body tenses, our breath quickens and our heart beats faster.
The body and mind hold many stories of our experiences, both pleasant and unpleasant; the latter may manifest in holding patterns and dis-ease. Our mind and body are these intricately woven, remarkable bits of kit that we have at our disposal to improve our physical and mental health and wellbeing but we often need the know-how regarding how to recruit them for our gain. Both offer huge potential for learning and growth.
This is where I come in.
As a yoga therapist, I am here to guide you through various therapeutic modalities to enable you to build a toolbox of practices to support your wellbeing and develop your ability to self-regulate. Yoga therapy offers holistic, integrative practices that weave the science of the west with the philosophy of the east - a beautiful blend of scientifically proven practices and tried and tested philosophical concepts. However, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach, the sessions are tailored to you and your unique needs; it is a co-creative space.
Through a cohesive system of breathwork (pranayama), mindfulness practices and yoga postures (asana) we can:
Build a resilient nervous system by positively affecting physiology such as muscle tone, heart rate and stress hormone release.
Improve immune system functioning which can be impaired through chronic stress, anxiety and depression.
Develop proprioceptive and interoceptive awareness leading to a more embodied sense of self.
Build emotional resilience by cultivating the ability to notice when sensations become overwhelming without dropping into habitual reactive states.
thrive
t - trust the process. The practices you learn become a way of living. Be patient with yourself.
h - harmony between you and me. I guide you through practices based on your unique makeup and needs as you develop knowledge about what works and what resonates, thus creating your own toolbox.
r - resilience builds through consistency. Keep showing up, for you. The practices you learn support mental, physical and physiological resilience.
i - be inquisitive without judgement. Feed your curiosity through the process of exploration. Your mind and body deliver many messages, they all have value, even the challenging ones.
v - visualise to develop mind and body awareness, through breathwork, somatic and mindfulness practices.
e - empower yourself by utilising therapeutic tools to handle life’s challenges from a place of compassion and self-awareness.
Keen to explore? Let’s connect: say hello
“You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.”