In addition to teaching yoga classes, I also work with clients individually, utilizing yoga poses, Pranayama(breathing) and meditation techniques as therapeutic "tools" to assist my clients with the specific health related problems they present to me.

What Is The Importance Of Yoga Therapy?

Yoga Therapy involves developing a therapeutic relationship and individualized program for each client. Most of my past experience working as a Yoga Therapist, has been with clients who have chronic health conditions such as asthma and Multiple Sclerosis.

Yoga Therapy can be useful in many chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, and is helpful in acute situations such as accidents and injuries as well. Utilizing breathing and relaxation techniques can help allay anxiety in any situation, for example, in preparing for and recovering from surgery. Yoga Therapy can also be useful in helping people stabilize their emotions as in depression. Yoga has likewise been helpful in my life in dealing with sports related neck and back injuries, and ear problems. I am therefore, a firm believer in the healing power of yoga and life-long practitioner! My expertise is currently in the areas of respiratory conditions and allergies, yet I openly welcome working with any client who desires improvement in their health!

How Does Yoga Therapy Work?

The main ideas of yoga therapy in respiratory conditions, for example, are relaxation, developing increased breathing capacity, and most importantly, achieving greater control of the muscles involved in respiration. People with asthma not only have difficulty breathing, but are also anxious, as not being able to breathe adequately is a frightening experience. Many clients are often so anxious that before I can start teaching them breathing techniques, I will start out a session with meditation to get them relaxed so they can concentrate on their breathing, rather than their fear. These techniques can be used as life long "tools" to help improve their breathing capacities and to reduce their dependence on medications. This is not to say that medications aren't necessary, and there are situations, such as acute asthma attacks, in which medications contained in inhalers can be life saving. In coordination with appropriate medical intervention, a carefully constructed yoga therapy program can help people with chronic health conditions to become more independent in maintaining wellness. It is indeed rewarding to see many clients obtain relief and relaxation from the breathing and meditation techniques I teach them, and in some cases, reduce their need for taking medications. In the beginning description of the "tools" of Yoga Therapy, I gave a brief explanation of yoga, pranayama, and meditation, and I'd like to elaborate on how each of these practices can be beneficial for the health of our bodies and minds.

About Yoga

Yoga has been practiced in India for thousands of years and taught in all parts of the world for just as long. In our modern society we view yoga as more of an "exercise" than a means to achieve our highest spiritual realization, yet yoga has many components. Yoga also involves the practices of pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation and often mantra (repetitive sounds or chants).

Whether or not we intend on achieving our highest spiritual selves, the practice of yoga poses or asanas helps to promote better posture and body alignment, increased flexibility of our muscles and joints, and improved emotional and overall health. In his highly acclaimed book, "Yoga For Wellness", internationally known yoga teacher and lecturer Gary Kraftsow, further explains the benefits of regular asana practice. "Physiologically, proper practice will balance neurological and hormonal activity, strengthen cardiovascular and repiratory functioning, improve absorption of nutrients and elimination of wastes, and strengthen the body's ability to resist and even overcome chronic disease. Emotionally, proper practice will increase our self-confidence, our tolerance for those different than us, our compassion for the suffering of ourselves and others, our capacity to withstand change, and our appreciation for the gift of life."

To achieve the optimum benefits from asanas, they should ideally be practiced daily, yet in our fast -paced society, we barely seem to have enough time to work, sleep and eat, much less "exercise". Those who practice asanas for only 5 min. a day can derive many benefits from doing so. Asanas have different effects on the body and mind depending on the type of asanas practiced, and the manner in which they are practiced. It is just as important to perform the asana correctly as the type of asanas we practice. Practicing asanas the wrong way will not be helpful. For simplicity sake, I will list the types of asanas and give a brief description of the effects on the body and mind.

Types of Yoga Poses and Their Benefits

Seated poses - develop calmness and having a "grounding" effect on the body and mind.

Forward bends - are very soothing for the body and mind, aid digestion, massage the adrenals and enhance immune system function.

Spinal twists - keep the spine flexible, and massage the digestive organs.

Backward bends - increase circulation to and open the chest, warming to the body, help to center the body and mind and strengthen the digestive organs.

Standing poses - emphasize strength, stability and calmness.

Inverted poses - improves circulation to the head, thyroid, and enhance immune function.

For more information on yoga or a specific problem, please attend one of my classes, or contact me by phone or email for a free 20 min. consultation.