I believe a yoga therapy session should be a safe space to explore your physical, mental, and emotional limits. It’s an opportunity to connect with your body, gain insights into yourself, and achieve a deeper understanding of that self.
Our governing body says
Yoga therapy is the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the application of the teachings and practices of Yoga.
International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)
My teacher describes the style of yoga therapy I practice as
Combining breathwork, gentle poses, meditation, and guided self-inquiry, designed to help practitioners safely embrace their physical limits in order to gain mental and emotional insights into themselves. It does not replace psychotherapy (talk therapy), but rather provides a somatic pathway to a deeper understanding of the self.
-Michael Lee, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy
What does a yoga therapy session look like?
I trained with Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy and like to stay true to their somatic approach. Each session starts with a warm-up to connect your body and breath and prepare you for the simple yoga poses that follow. I like to use props, to support you in the poses. As this allows you to ”drop-in”, or become embodied more easily. Most often you are lying on your mat, rather than doing the standing poses you might do in a class. This is because supine poses make it easier to “drop-in”. A short meditation, and an opportunity to reflect on any insights you might have gained ends the session.
During the session, you explore “the edge,” a feeling of sensation during a pose. This sensory awareness allows you to focus and connect more deeply with your body. In this embodied state you become more aware of your body, your feelings, and emotions.
The 6 Phases in a PRYT Session
1. Warm-Up
The warm-up is all about connecting your body and your breath. It’s like a little dance that gets you ready for the poses that come next.
2. Edge Coaching
When you experience sensation, such as during a yoga pose, being present in that moment can help you focus and connect with your body. The feeling of sensation is called “the edge”. Here you can feel the sensation in your body. But you are not being overwhelmed with discomfort and can remain present.
3. Dropping In
“Dropping in” is a state where you feel a deep connection with your body. Your thoughts slow down and you become very aware of the sensations and emotions arising within you. In this embodied state, you can merely observe these sensations and emotions. Without the need to explain or attach any meaning to them. You are guided to embrace whatever you notice in your body. This state is achieved using simple supported poses, usually lying on a mat. Poses like supine twist, supported forward fold and child’s pose.
4. Meditation
Reaching a meditative state is easier after body-breath work. The mind is quietened and can be centered. Therefore, during meditation, you can tune in to your body and your breath. The meditation is primarily breathwork.
5. Listen to your body
Basically when you connect deeply to your body you might notice thoughts, feelings, and maybe images arising. This can provide insight.
6. Insight to action
At the end of the session, you will explore some ways in which you can effectively integrate these valuable insights into your life. Talking about what holds you back from achieving your goals and discuss actionable steps you can take to move forward.
What Can Yoga Therapy Do for You?
♡ Reconnect with yourself
By combining modern psychology and mindfulness techniques, yoga therapy can help you connect deeply with your body.
♡ Navigate change
Yoga therapy, can help you gain clarity. You can discover what is holding you back from living your best life. You can learn how to navigate change and stop feeling stuck.
♡ Live a life more fulfilled
By investing in yourself and practicing self-care, you can befriend your body and discover what it looks like to be your best self. When you know and understand yourself, you can find the path that allows you to flourish and thrive.
♡ Let transformation happen
Stress and trauma can hold you back. Using the embodied approach you can better understand how to achieve your goals and ultimately transform to your best self.
Try yoga therapy
Fay Dwyer c-IAYT offers online yoga therapy therapy at Pure Yoga Therapy
@Wildheartyogi