Yoga Therapy
We all have everything we need to cultivate wellness, but some compassionate guidance along the way can be of great value.
The overall goal of yoga therapy is to mitigate suffering through the application of the ancient holistic tools and philosophy of yoga. Mindfulness and self-awareness of not only the physical body, but also the thoughts, emotions, gross and subtle energy, and breath (the five koshas for those familiar with the yoga sutras) are the foundation. From there, additional skills are added that best align with your individual goals and resonate with you.
Optimal Wellness Yoga Therapy Is...
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always client-led, I am simply a guide providing gentle assistance, education, validation, and support for your holistic wellness journey.
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about mindfully meeting you where you are in the present moment without judgment.
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trauma-sensitive, with invitational language to cultivate agency and introspection (when it feels safe to do so), validation of all experiences, and the creation of a safe space in which to explore greater connection of the mind and body.
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empowering you with a variety of tools to move toward your holistic wellness goals.
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being aware of and celebrating what you can do with what you have right now while still acknowledging the desire to create change from a place of grace and kindness.
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compassionate curiosity and exploration of the various tools and practices in a playful manner.
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rooted in the cycles and energy of nature and the collective consciousness.
Optimal Wellness Yoga Therapy Is NOT...
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a cure-all, but rather practices and tools to minimize the negative impacts of conditions whether medical or otherwise.
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a substitute for licensed medical care by physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, etc.
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for diagnosis of physical or mental health conditions, but it can be a useful holistic addition to western medicine treatment or maintenance plans.
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a quick fix, but outcomes are proportionate to the amount of effort you invest in yourself.
Small Group Yoga Therapy
My dynamically adaptive group yoga therapy classes are perfect for anyone who thinks they can't do yoga. I check in with participants and put together a dynamically adaptive session to meet the goals of everyone. This ability to adapt the techniques on the fly and meet the needs of a mixed-level room is what sets Optimal Wellness Yoga Therapy apart from your standard yoga classes.
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I currently offer 6 group sessions per week with choices in the morning, midday, and evening. Morning classes are based on slow flow vinyasa with a gentle building of awareness and energy for the day ahead. Midday classes focus more on strength, stability, and range of motion in a pose-by-pose hatha yoga style. Wind down your whole self by cultivating ease in your deeper tissues and downregulate your nervous system with a combination of yin yoga and restorative yoga, also known by some as yinstorative.
All group sessions are available via Zoom allowing you to enjoy the benefits of Optimal Wellness Yoga Therapy from the comfort of your home, backyard, or hotel room! Each class includes a week of streaming access to the replay so you can practice on your own between sessions.
In-person space is limited at this time and will be honored on a first-to-request first-to-receive basis. Simply sign up as usual and send your request to be in person via email to OptimalWellnessYoga (at) gmail (dot) com.
Private Yoga Therapy
For the most personalized service, private yoga therapy sessions cannot be beat. Together we identify your holistic wellness goals, the practices and tools that resonate for you, and any barriers that may slow or prevent progress and how to manage them. You get to experientially explore these new skills in a safe environment where feedback and discussion is encouraged.
Each session is unique to meet you where you are in the moment while still progressing towards your overall goals. A variety of physical yoga (asana) styles including pose-by-pose Hatha Yoga, deep connective tissue stimulating Yin Yoga, rejuvenating Restorative Yoga, and the flow of Vinyasa Yoga may be combined with supportive breathing and mindfulness exercises.
For the budget-conscious, a monthly plan is available which makes a great compliment to small group classes. A monthly private session can help guide your choice of adaptations and modifications to utilize in group classes as well as provide touchpoints for your progress. The small group classes keep you accountable to practice semi-regularly and are a conduit to stay in touch between the privates.
All or part of private sessions can be recorded for you to utilize between appointments if requested.