What is Yoga Therapy?
Many of us go through our days in pain or discomfort - not because we like it but because we don’t really know what to do about it. Yoga Therapy is an opportunity to build your skillset and become more aware - aware of how you move or compensate for the lack of movement that should be there, aware of what you feel or don’t feel. Why is it important to notice these things? Because you can’t change anything you aren’t aware of. We work together so that I can help you begin to grow your self awareness and to look at your movement habits and patterns.
HABITS AND COMPENSATIONS
We all have movement habits. We learn how to do something and then, over time, it becomes automatic. Take walking for instance. Most of us do not think about all the component parts and moving pieces required to walk - we just think “walk over there”.
“I walk and do things a lot differently than I did a month ago. I still get tight-pain – where it hurts after over working it, and now I can correct.”
But then, one day, you sprain your ankle. Now, you have to walk a bit differently because your ankle hurts, or you're wearing a brace or using crutches. So for the next few weeks you walk differently - and your body begins to learn a new habit, a compensation. And it’s an important habit because it keeps you out of pain. Then, your sprained ankle starts feeling better, and you stop wearing the ankle brace, or try to stop limping and being overly careful. But here’s the thing - your walking doesn’t just go back to the way it was before you sprained your ankle because your body learned new habits. Sometimes this is no big deal, but over time, these compensations accumulate, and often they eventually stop being helpful and begin causing you pain.
SO NOW WHAT?
Now you come see me, and together we find those compensation patterns - those things that were once so helpful and are now a hinderance, and we begin to retrain your body and your brain. Retrain to remember how easy and efficient it can be to move when you aren’t compensating for things that are no longer there (like a sprained ankle).
WHAT CAN CAUSE COMPENSATIONS?
Injuries (large or small)
Surgery
Pregnancy
Life
“I love working with my clients; I love being able to watch them find things about themselves and how they move, so that they can take better care of themselves.”
1:1 Yoga Therapy
I meet with clients in-person at Sand Springs Chiropractic, In-Studio at The Yoga Underground in Downtown Tulsa, or by Virtual appointment through ZOOM.
ARE YOU READY?
A few things to know:
Every program is personalized - because no one is just like you. This includes how often we meet, where (in-person, online), and for how many sessions. However, I ask that you commit to 6 weeks. I can help you to become aware and reduce your symptoms quickly, but sustainable change requires practice over a period of time. Practice not just for your body, but mental practice and habit building. Awareness is a habit. Just like ignoring your pain is a habit.
My services are not covered by insurance.
I have a 24-hour cancellation policy for all yoga therapy appointments. If you miss a session or cancel within 24-hours of your scheduled time you will not be refunded (or you will be charged at the beginning of your next session). I reserve the right to waive this fee under mitigating circumstances, i.e. sudden illness, etc.
If you are ready to have a conversation about your body and your wellbeing, please fill in the form below to start a conversation.
“I think about how I sit now, and if I am feeling tight in my hips I get on the floor and do some exercises. I have not had lumbar or sacral pain in several weeks and I attribute that to the work that we did in our sessions as well as my homework moments. My hip joints also do not pop as much anymore - they feel more stable.”
For more information about Yoga Therapy in general please reach out or visit The International Association of Yoga Therapists.
Private Session
$80/hour
Yoga Therapy sessions can be focused on any number of things, including:
reducing and eliminating pain
improving movement
improving body awareness
decreasing anxiety and stress
“Be patient; small improvements lead to large gains. When I concentrate on learned movements now it prevents over straining and reduces pain later.”
Small Group Therapeutic Yoga Class Series
prices vary; usually $150 for a 5-session Series ($30 per 60-minute session)
These classes are an opportunity to experience the benefits of therapeutic yoga in a customized, group setting over 5 weeks. Throughout the program, we explore functional movement as a means of reducing pain and establishing new, healthy movement patterns.
A few things to know:
Class limit of 4 people (highly personalized within the format or series focus)
Offered as a 5-class series; participants must enroll in the entire series. No drop-ins, no make-ups.
I meet with all registered students for a 15 - 20 minute private consult via phone call or Zoom meeting prior to the first session of any series. During this time we will discuss your movement habits and history, and any particular areas or movements you would like to address. This consult is included in the series price.
Some Examples of Series topics:
Therapeutic Yoga for your Hips and Low Back
Therapeutic Yoga for your Neck and Shoulders
Therapeutic Yoga to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Therapeutic Yoga for Runners and Cyclists