YOGA THERAPY CONSULTATION
Yoga Therapy utilizes the techniques of Yoga to create, stimulate, and maintain an optimum state of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. Yoga Therapy may be preventive, restorative or palliative in nature. Yoga Therapy respects individual differences in age, culture, religion, philosophy, occupation and mental and physical health. Yoga Therapy is applied according to the client's individual needs and ability. The techniques of yoga may include movement, breathing, relaxation and or meditation exercises.
Ayurveda is the healing tradition of ancient India and the sister science of yoga. It is a conceptual framework which allows for an individualized comprehensive lifestyle evaluation and yoga therapy plan.
Yoga Therapy Consultation begins with a detailed evaluation. The client will complete assessment forms; the therapist will review the information, ask clarifying questions and perform a physical assessment. This appointment takes approximately one hour if the client completes the assessment forms prior to the visit.
The Yoga Therapy evaluation consists of some or all of the following health parameters: family history; personal history (physical and/or psychological illnesses, surgeries, emotional trauma); faith orientation or spirituality; use of medication, substances, herbs and supplements; dietary, elimination and sleep habits; identification of constitution; tongue diagnosis; and, or structural analysis.
The client is in control of what information they choose to disclose. All information is kept strictly confidential. The client will identify between one and three goals they would like to address in the Yoga Therapy Plan.The client will also decide which Yoga Therapy Tools are of interest.
Once the Yoga Therapist has gathered all available information, an individualized plan will be created. The Yoga Therapy Plan may include the following::
Yama and Niyama
Asana
Exercise
Pranayama
Guided visualization
Meditation instruction
Cleansing practices
Self massage using ayurvedic oils and pressure points
Satsang: classes, retreats, workshops, study groups
Devotional practices: prayer, chanting, spiritual poetry or story telling
Selfless service or Karma Yoga
Dietary guidance including the use of culinary teas, herbs and spices
Use of essential oils and incense
Information will be provided in written form and reviewed with the client. Certain techniques may also be demonstrated and practiced. This appointment may take one to two hours depending on the complexity of the yoga therapy plan.
The cost for the initial Yoga Therapy Consultation and Plan is $150.00. In most cases, re-evaluation and adjustment of the plan is indicated seasonally. The cost of a follow-up visit is $50.00.
I am able to see clients at the Community Yoga Center by appointment.
Private asana instruction without Yoga Therapy consultation is also available for $75.00 per session.
To schedule an appointment please contact Cindy.
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WORKSHOPS
Yoga and Health workshops can be provided for groups of eight to twenty people. Please contact Cindy at 512-754-9764 or by email at CONTACT for more information or to schedule a workshop at your church, your place of business, or at your home. All workshops can be designed to meet the unique needs of the participants.
Introduction to Asana:
Asana are the physical exercises of yoga. In this workshop you will explore classical yoga poses that are the basis for all Yoga and Health classes. This class provides a foundation for home practice and for safe participation in community yoga classes.
Therapeutic Relaxation:
Yoga Nidra is a technique of conscious relaxation. During the practice, one appears to be asleep, but consciousness is functioning at a deeper level of awareness. It is a threshold state between sleep and wakefulness where contact with subconscious and unconscious dimensions occur. When consciousness is separated from external awareness and from sleep, it becomes very powerful and can be applied in many ways such as to develop the memory, increase knowledge and creativity or to transform one ’s nature. When relaxation is complete, receptivity is greater than when consciousness is connected to all of the senses. This is a practice that brings about health and wholeness on all levels – mental, physical, emotional, spiritual and social. In this workshop you will explore several different therapeutic relaxation or yoga nidra techniques.
Stress Management:
This workshop begins with a discussion of the overwhelming nature of stress in western society today. You will be introduced to the physiological basis of both stress and relaxation. You will be given tools to help analyze lifestyle choices that contribute to stress and tools to help you to become more resilient to stressors you cannot eliminate.
Mindfulness Meditation:
In the most basic and generic form, meditation is simply focusing on one and only one thing. In concentrative meditation, you focus attention on a single object or thought to the exclusion of everything else. Mindfulness Meditation is a concentrative practice described as a process of gradual awakening. Physiologically, meditation interrupts the body’s stress response. It also provokes deep relaxation coupled with a wakeful and highly alert mental state. Psychologically, meditation creates greater efficiency in everyday life. It also allows us to comprehend other views of reality. During this workshop we will practice using several techniques in order to explore the effects of practice.
Ayurveda:
Ayurveda is based on the Vedas which are among the oldest bodies of written knowledge in human culture. It is a health science whose purpose is to heal and maintain the quality and longevity of life. It is an art of daily living that has evolved from practical, philosophical and spiritual illumination, rooted in the understanding of Creation. An
Ayurvedic treatment plan includes elimination of the cause, treatment of the condition, rebuilding the body, and continual support through rejuvenation. In this workshop, you will be introduced to some Vedic ideas of Creation, the three gunas, the doshas and tridoshic theory. You will utilize this information in identifying your own constitution (prakriti), and formulating a treatment plan which addresses your particular imbalances (vikriti).
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FOUNDATIONS OF YOGA PRACTICE
The Foundations of Yoga Practice is a comprehensive introduction to yoga that includes the philosophy of yoga, gentle exercises to build strength, flexebilty and endurance, breathing exercises, meditation and therapeutic relaxation. The curriculum is designed for people who have been sedentary, but would like to be more physically fit. The goal of the course is to develop an independent daily practice.The student receives verbal and written instruction, demonstration of poses and breathing techniques with the opportunity to practice and to receive feed back, as well as an audio CD with guided meditation and relaxation. The course is taught by Cindy von Miller, a Registered Nurse and a yoga therapist.
This program can be provided to your group at the Community Yoga Center, your church or business.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF YOGA
Timothy McCall, M.D., conducted a comprehensive review of research that investigated the therapeutic benefit of yoga, and provides the following list of ways that yoga heals:
- Increases flexibility
- Strengthens muscles
- Improves balance
- Improves immune function
- Improves posture
- Improves lung function
- Leads to slower and deeper breathing
- Discourages mouth breathing
- Increases oxygenation of tissues
- Improves joint health
- Nourishes intervertebral discs
- Improves return of venous blood
- Increases circulation of lymph
- Improves function of the feet
- Improves proprioception
- Increases control of bodily functions
- Strengthens bones
- Improves cardiovascular system function
- Promotes weight loss
- Relaxes the nervous system
- Improves the function of the nervous system
- Improves brain function
- Activates the left prefrontal cortex
- Changes neurotransmitter levels
- Lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol
- Lowers blood sugar
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves levels of cholesterol and triglycerides
- Thins the blood
- Improves bowel function
- Releases unconscious muscular gripping
- Uses imagery to effect change in the body
- Relieves pain
- Lowers need for medication
- Fosters healing relationships
- Improves psychological health
- Leads to healthier habits
- Fosters spiritual growth
- Elicits the placebo effect
- Encourages involvement in your own healing
Yoga and Health is a 501C3 organization and donations are tax deductable. If you would like to make a donation to this project, please send a check to:
Yoga and Health
PO Box 1323
San Marcos, Texas 78667-1323
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