64-year-old female, well-educated, full-time business owner, and amateur soccer player who is new to yoga and hence yoga therapy. Has had surgery on R knee and ankle, chronic pain in both knees, ulcer and ovarian cyst surgeries. The client has suffered from concussions (most recent in 2023) acquired while playing soccer (3x/week). MML reports a 7:30am wake-up time, 10pm bedtime; sedentary job, sitting up to 10 hours/day; she feels stiffs upon rising from bed and chairs, awakens at night, gets maybe 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep. To relieve stress MML exercises (soccer), drinks wine, and takes walks. When the client arrives home from work or is at home, MML describes herself as a 'blob', who sits around or takes naps due to the level of fatigue, stress, and chronic pain she experiences. The spouse is the primary home keeper (she smilingly refers to herself as a kept woman) and MML the primary breadwinner; life at home is still stressful due to the level of care required to support her adult child with disabilities. The marriage is described as "great"; the relationship with her parents was good (both deceased), and great with her 3 adult children; one sibling is estranged, one a very good friend. She finds it healthier to stay away from some of her family to keep the peace. Work is somewhat stressful; it leaves some time for family. She enjoys her work a lot; works too much, and when asked, self-care is not prioritized.

MML reports sometimes using some basic breathing techniques to calm herself. She would like to learn more breathing techniques. MML likes to walk to find peace and to clear her brain. Sometimes she may practice a body scan or body awareness practice, but not often. She hasn't given much thought to a life that connects the body, mind and spirit. She is open to learning more ways to experience a greater connection.

MML is self-described as being calm, both an introvert and an extrovert, driven, and sociable. She didn't relay any current concerns about her health but she struggles with fatigue, depression, occasional concussions, post-menopause, and thyroid issues which are wearing on her health. She sees her PCP regularly but doesn't feel she's getting the answers she needs. She is not in therapy.

MML has 5-6 close friends, causal and work friends, positive immediate family relationships, and meaningful extended family relationship. She has no community supports. She isn't facing any socioeconomic challenges, sociopolitical or legal circumstances.

The client is an intellectual who relies on research. Religious faith is not a part of her life. She appears open to learning about yogic philosophy, meditation, deep relaxation, and mindfulness. She and her family hold strong shared values and beliefs but do not practice any one religion.

MML has a master's degree. For over 15 years she has been the owner and executive director of her own business. She describes herself as introspective, is driven, leads an ethical live, and lives in a non-violet way. She believes in honesty, living in moderation, and aspiring to lead a purposeful life. She enjoys having a regular work and exercise routine as it helps her to live with purpose. She describes herself as being centered. She has a solid sense of self. She is knowledgeable in her work and advises parents of children with learning disabilities on methodologies to increase focus, memory, and other skills; as well as adults with a variety of acquired cognitive issues.

3. Carraça, Bruno, et al. "Mindful compassion training on elite soccer: Effects, roles and associations on flow, psychological distress and thought suppression." Revista iberoamericana de psicologia del ejercicio y el deporte 14.2 (2019): 141-149
a. I will integrate yogic philosophy and yoga nidra based on the results of this study which revealed increases in athletes’ experience of flow, a state of optimal functioning that is associated with peak performance. I will refer back to Mindfulness-Based Soccer Training Structure’s key concepts. Examples are mindfulness of the body, mindfulness and goal setting, Emotions, meaning in sports life, 'radical acceptance, etc.

4. Arnold CM, Bath B, Prosko S, Ritchie K, Hunter K. Mindful and Compassionate Self, Grounded Together: A Qualitative Description of Postmenopausal Women's Perceptions of Balance Flow Yoga. Int J Yoga Therap. 2022 Jan 1;32(2022):Article 20. doi: 10.17761/2022-D-21-00069. PMID: 36867859.
a. From this paper I’ve extracted the information on the emotional and spiritual factors in reference to the client’s age-range. I will share with the client the research on enhanced energy levels, a sense of accomplishment and motivation to progress through persistence that the participants reported. Participants also reported a gained sense of their “mindful, compassionate self.”

5. Lusk, Julie (2021). Yoga Nidra Meditations, Woodbury, MN, Llewellyn Publications.
a. This book offers 24 relaxation scripts to ease chronic pain, anxiety, improve concentration, heal and restore. Through careful selection, I will share longer Yoga Nidras in the hope teaching the client that calm can be achieved through quiet with a focus on instilling calm and healing. Restful awareness, progressive relaxation, imagery, and affirmations are some of the methods used to achieve overall wellness.

1. Kartal, Alper & Ergin, Esin. (2020). Investigation of the Effect of 6-week Yoga Exercises on Balance, Flexibility, and Strength in Soccer Players. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences. 8. 91-96. 10.13189/saj.2020.080303.
a. This research implemented a basic-level strength yoga program for 26 Turkish soccer players from a 1st League ranking. Four days a week for 6 weeks at 30 minutes each morning before soccer practice the athletes consistently participated in the program. There were pre- and post-measurements of balance, flexibility, and strength. A statistical difference was found in the pre- and post-tests in the areas of balance, flexibility, mean body-fat percentage, and strength measurements. No statistically significant difference was in the in the body mass index. This paper reconfirmed my experience with yoga. I will share this with the Client who hasn't practiced yoga, and doesn't appear to know the benefits of it. She is approaching yoga therapy from a fitness perspective and I believe this will be a soft entry into the acknowledgement of its benefits.

2. Arbo GD, Brems C, Tasker TE. Mitigating the Antecedents of Sports-related Injury through Yoga. Int J Yoga. 2020 May-Aug;13(2):120-129. doi: 10.4103/ijoy.IJOY_93_19. Epub 2020 May 1. PMID: 32669766; PMCID: PMC7336950.
a. Over 10-weeks, an adapted yoga protocol was used to assess the impact of yoga on student athletes’ perception of sports-related recovery and stress. The client is an academic so at the start, I plan to approach yoga therapy introducing philosophical themes in plain language, cueing will be more concrete, gradually adding imagery and Sanskrit, while providing intero-and proprioceptive cues. I will direct awareness first on the physical then turn it inward to the breath and mindfulness related to Yoga.

Is this input sufficient?

• Check in, centering, balanced hatha yoga set considering contraindications, relaxation (with imagery as appropriate),
• Balanced pranayama considering contraindications, meditation/centering.
• Include at least one suggestion from Karma, Bhakti, Raja, or Jnana Yoga tailored for this client.