YOGA THERAPY – What, Why, and How?

Yoga therapy is the therapeutic application of yoga exercises used to treat individuals with medical conditions.

Yoga therapy aims to cultivate mind-body integration, through a holistic, non-dogmatic approach. It is suitable for any population at any level of fitness or flexibility, and can yield both direct and indirect benefits for individuals with varying physical, psychological and/or emotional concerns.

WHY?

In the recent years a growing body of studies have been carried out to articulate the plethora of  adaptive transformations which result from a regular yoga practice. Yoga offers the opportunity to use exercise as medicine, taking healing into ones own hands . Many direct and indirect benefits may result including but not limited to:

Physiological:
– Increased range of motion in joints and muscles (reduction of stiffness/tension release, and/or release compressive stress)
– Increased strength, flexibility, and functionality of muscles and joints
– Increased muscular strength and endurance
-Lowering of heart rate and blood pressure
-Improved cardiovascular fitness

Neurological:
– Increased body awareness (adaptations in conscious proprioception (neural rewiring))
Psychological
-Increased ability to manage and mediate symptoms of anxiety and depression
-Reduced cortisol levels leading to an overall stress reduction
Sensorimotor
– Improved co-ordination, and joint articulation
Lifestyle
– Improved quality of sleep
– Increased energy levels
– Enhanced sense of well-being
-Allergy and Asthma symptom relief
-Slowing of Ageing processes

WHO?

Yoga is suitable for any population at any level of fitness or flexibility. If you are new and would like to try yoga, a one on one session can be the perfect introduction paced according to each individual’s level. If you have a yoga practice already, yoga therapy offers one on one adjustments, alignment correction, and adaptive techniques that can take your practice to the next level.

Yoga is also excellent for individuals with specific health concerns: Studies show it can relieve the symptoms and aid management of several common and potentially life-threatening illnesses such as arthritis, arteriosclerosis, chronic fatigue, diabetes, AIDS, cancer, asthma, insomnia, back pain, anxiety and stress, depression, fibromyalgia, and weight concerns.

HOW?

Yoga creates an environment for self-healing:
Yoga is a vehicle for self-knowledge; it promotes mind body integration and has been proven to aid the body with both physical ailments and foster mental strength.

WHAT?

Yoga therapy is a patient guided, holistic healing practice built on the foundations of mind-body integration.Yoga as an entity recognizes the mutually dependent marriage of mental and physical health, and through application of evidence based exercises, employs whole-body benefits for those seeking: injury recovery, relief from pain or discomfort, or those interested in optimizing the body’s healing systems (preventative care/proactive health). Beyond, the aforementioned, yoga empowers individuals to be accountable for their own health using exercise as medicine.

Yoga therapy is evidence based application of a broad range of yoga exercises and techniques which are used to treat and effectively reduce harmful effects of present medical conditions. This holistic approach accommodates individuals at all stages of wellness and caters to an individual’s immediate mental, physical and emotional well-being. For special populations, Yoga Therapy can be used as an isolated treatment or in conjunction with alternative recovery plans. It is suitable for individuals at any level of fitness or flexibility, and no prior experience is necessary.

What does a one on one Yoga Therapy Session entail?
Techniques will vary from patient to patient according to personal goals/individual needs; however, the general approach is the same.

A session will begin with a discussion about the presenting condition, exercise/injury history followed by a postural evaluation and functional movement assessment. Together we will discuss related lifestyle factors, any potential barriers and develop a comprehensive recovery plan.

Treatments sessions will begin at a basic level and slowly incorporate the principles of anatomical alignment and biomechanics together with adaptive breathing techniques encouraging a practice of greater conscious awareness.

At each individual’s pace, sessions will progress to include exercises for restorative function/postural re-education, rehabilitative techniques, and/or stretch and strengthening.

The value in each session may come from different places whether it is pain relief, calming of the mind, anxiety-relieving breathing techniques, or correcting postural alignment.

ABOUT NATALIE GOODFELLOW:

Natalie received her Bachelors of Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia in April 2012, and is currently a member of the B.C. Association of Kinesiologists. She has worked in both clinical and recreational settings.

Exercise and being active has shaped her life from a young age. Dance was her passion growing up, and her years of experience with alignment/posture and her exceptional technique as a dancer and dance instructor has enabled her to teach yoga and fitness with a focus on maintaining a safe and ergonomically satisfying class. Her education in Kinesiology has expanded her knowledge significantly, and helped to foster comprehensive flows for yoga.

She has had the opportunity to deepen her understanding of Yoga from the roots in Southern India, and ground her mental strength and conscious awareness visiting the Birthplace of the Buddha in Nepal. As a yoga instructor, she has never felt happier, helping others find their own personal pathway to integrate their physical, mental and spiritual strength.

To book a Yoga Therapy Session with Natalie email : schedule@kalevfitness.com

(sessions available at Kalev Fitness Solution or in the comfort of your own home)

Phone: 604.568.6006

Kinesiologist: Natalie Goodfellow, Natalie@kalevfitness.com

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Middleton, K., Ward, M., Haaz, S., Velummylum, S., Fike, A., Acevedo, A., & … Wallen, G. (2013). A pilot study of yoga as self-care for arthritis in minority communities. Health And Quality Of Life Outcomes, 1155. doi:10.1186/1477-7525-11-55

Rioux J, Ritenbaugh C. Narrative review of yoga intervention clinical trials including weight-related outcomes. Alternative Therapies In Health And Medicine [serial online]. May 2013;19(3):32-46. Available from: MEDLINE with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed September 24, 2013.

Yoga and acupressure help control blood pressure in people with atrial fibrillation. (2013). Harvard Women’s Health Watch, 20(11), 8.

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