What is Movement Therapy?
Yoga Therapy
Yoga Therapy bridges the gap between traditional yoga and other healthcare professions, and is becoming more widely recognized as an effective and complimentary healing modality by many healthcare providers.
Yoga therapy is beneficial for (but not limited to):
- recovery from injury or illness
- correcting postural and structural misalignments in the body
- increasing strength, flexibility and balance, providing greater ease and mobility in movement
- reducing pain and physical discomfort
- releasing tension, managing stress, anxiety, or fear
- dealing with emotional trauma, grief, depression and PTSD
- fatigue, insomnia and improved sleep
- improving overall health, and providing an enhanced sense of peace, relaxation and well-being
Studies have also shown that yoga can help lower risk factors for cardiovascular disease and hypertension, alleviate some of the side effects of cancer treatments, and lower needs and dosage for medications. Both the Canadian and the American Pain Society also recommend yoga for chronic pain.
Injury, pain, stress, fatigue and countless other things take their toll on our sense of wellbeing. Movement therapy offers a customized way to address these issues with techniques that are accessible and adaptable for anyone.
I approach things from the perspective that there is no one right practice for everyone. All sessions are customized to each individual and their needs, and I make it my goal to meet each person wherever they are at on any given day.
While much of my teaching is based upon the practices of yoga therapy, my approach to movement therapy encompasses many other different movement modalities. Strength and mobility training, functional movement, restorative exercise, pilates, somatics, mindfulness techniques, breath practices, and self myofascial release all find their way into my sessions, depending on what the individual needs.
Movement and exercise science, rehab theory, pain science, trauma sensitive practices and the principles of anatomy, kinesiology and biomechanics also inform my teaching to offer a well rounded and broad perspective to movement therapy.
Very often the problem is not where the pain is, and my aim is not only to provide relief from the symptoms of conditions, but also to seek out and address the root cause of the symptoms themselves. For example, while massage or stretching may provide temporary relief from physical pain and tension, if the source of the tension is overlooked, the discomfort will likely continue to return until the actual cause is taken care of. By addressing the root cause with a mindful approach, we can regain the strength, confidence and ease of movement that allows us to continue to enjoy the activities that we love.
Yoga therapy is beneficial for (but not limited to):
- recovery from injury or illness
- correcting postural and structural misalignments in the body
- increasing strength, flexibility and balance, providing greater ease and mobility in movement
- reducing pain and physical discomfort
- releasing tension, managing stress, anxiety, or fear
- dealing with emotional trauma, grief, depression and PTSD
- fatigue, insomnia and improved sleep
- improving overall health, and providing an enhanced sense of peace, relaxation and well-being
Studies have also shown that yoga can help lower risk factors for cardiovascular disease and hypertension, alleviate some of the side effects of cancer treatments, and lower needs and dosage for medications. Both the Canadian and the American Pain Society also recommend yoga for chronic pain.
Drawing on my studies and training in yoga therapy, I offer a customized approach to overall wellness through yoga techniques. I take a holistic approach to healing that considers all the different aspects of the person – physical, emotional, mental, energetic and spiritual, and seeks to improve any imbalances using the practices of yoga. These practices may include physical postures, breath work, meditation, relaxation and other mindfulness based techniques.
Often the problem is not where the pain is, and yoga therapy aims not only to provide relief from the symptoms of conditions, but also to seek out and address the root cause of the symptoms themselves. For example, while massage or stretching may provide temporary relief from physical pain and tension, if the source of the tension is not physical in nature, the discomfort will likely continue to return until the actual cause is taken care of.
Therapeutic yoga bridges the gap between traditional yoga and other healthcare professions, and is becoming more widely recognized as an effective and complimentary healing modality by many healthcare providers.
Injury, pain, stress, fatigue and countless other things take their toll on our sense of wellbeing. Therapeutic yoga offers a customized way to address these issues with yoga techniques that are accessible and adaptable for anyone. Individual yoga therapy sessions allow for an even more tailored approach.
Therapeutic yoga differs from traditional yoga classes in that it puts the emphasis on the healing aspects of yoga and addresses specific symptoms and conditions. It takes a holistic approach, recognizing that the body, mind and spirit are all connected and that any imbalance in one area affects the other areas as well. It seeks to improve any imbalances using the practices of yoga, and these practices may include physical postures, breath work, meditation, relaxation and other mindfulness based techniques.
Often the problem is not where the pain is, and yoga therapy aims not only to provide relief from the symptoms of conditions, but also to seek out and address the root cause of the symptoms themselves. For example, while massage or stretching may provide temporary relief from physical pain and tension, if the source of the tension is overlooked, the discomfort will likely continue to return until the actual cause is taken care of.
Whether your goal is to ease aches and pains in the physical body, relieve mental or emotional stress, or simply to seek an improvement in your overall physical and emotional wellbeing, therapeutic yoga offers a way to meet your individual needs.
Therapeutic yoga bridges the gap between traditional yoga and other healthcare professions, and is becoming more widely recognized as an effective and complimentary healing modality by many healthcare providers.
Yoga therapy is beneficial for (but not limited to):
- recovery from injury or illness
- correcting postural and structural misalignments in the body
- increasing strength, flexibility and balance, providing greater ease and mobility in movement
- reducing pain and physical discomfort
- releasing tension, managing stress, anxiety, or fear
- dealing with emotional trauma, grief, depression and PTSD
- fatigue, insomnia and improved sleep
- improving overall health, and providing an enhanced sense of peace, relaxation and well-being
Studies have also shown that yoga can help lower risk factors for cardiovascular disease and hypertension, alleviate some of the side effects of cancer treatments, and lower needs and dosage for medications. Both the Canadian and the American Pain Society also recommend yoga for chronic pain.
Therapeutic Yoga for Pain Management
Therapeutic yoga is an excellent complimentary therapy to other health care modalities, particularly when dealing with chronic pain.
Even after the original injury has healed, sometimes the experience of pain continues until the patterns in the nervous system are addressed and the pain and stress responses in the body and brain can be retrained. By working with the nervous system through meditation, breath work, mindfulness practices, gentle movement and restorative postures, the old patterns can begin to change and the experience of pain can start to shift. Your body and mind can become a comfortable place to be again.
Therapeutic yoga is safe, has no negative side effects, does not contraindicate other treatments or medications and can help make other therapies more effective.
Modern pain science research strongly supports the benefits of yoga and it’s practices as a key tool for managing chronic pain and improving quality of life. My approach to therapeutic sessions and teaching has been strongly influenced by these studies and it continues to be an area of particular interest for me.
Disclaimer: Neither therapeutic yoga, yoga therapy, nor movement therapy are intended as a substitute for medical attention, examination, diagnosis or treatment. While they are effective and complimentary therapies to other healthcare modalities, I do not diagnose, prescribe, or attempt to cure any medical conditions. Please consult a healthcare professional prior to working with me if you have any medical concerns.