• 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.

Session #3:
1. Center in Corpse Pose/Savasana for a few minutes focusing on grounding, aligning and relaxing your body,
2. Notice, acknowledge and let go of your thoughts, find calm with your breath, then,
3. Mindfully rise up to standing.
4. Standing:
a. Mountain pose,
b. Standing Twist, straight arms, tapping kidneys and chest (app. 1 minute),
c. Ski (1 minute),
d. Mountain, closed eyes, turning awareness inward.
5. In a quiet, dark, undisturbed space relax in a supine posture (Savasana) with props. Get comfortable.
6. Take a few moments to reflect on what you’re experiencing in your body and mind.
7. Reflection: Think of how you can connect with who you really are, living at ease and discovering your purpose.
8. Make a mental list of 5 ways that you connect with yourself.

Anamaya: Seated: Check-in, Lie in Restorative Supine Pose with bolster under knees, blanket under back, neck support, hand towel over eyes, hand on belly and hand on heart; center, practice Dirga Swasam, connect with inner feelings, then set an intention. Next, guide client to place hands on the area where they want to nurture/to send energy. Use deep intentional breaths to guide it to the area. 8x practice: “Inhale love, gratitude, abundance; Exhale fear, doubt, pain, uncertainty, and discomfort”.
Release & rest, then roll onto side, direct awareness inward gathering self then reestablish Sukhasana. Seated C/C add Cactus arms Spinal Twist, Seated Side-bends with arm-flow; Standing: MT. to arms overhead, Backward Bend/FF; Warrior 2 (W2) to Exalted W holding then flowing 3x; MT arms overhead, Chair then rise up 2x, Other Side, MT directing attention inward. FF, w/blanket under knees to TT, C/C, Cobra, Advasana, Bird Dog, add crossover behind back hand to foot.
Restorative Supported Final Relaxation Pose, iRest YN Meditation for Chronic Pain Relief. Energy Work. Close with two minutes of meditation and chanting.

Pranamaya: Breath awareness during YN with color symbolism and imagery supports allowing the client to meet then potentially move beyond pain.
Manomaya: Set an intention, “I am alert and attentive” enabling client to listen, and quiet the busy mind. Guide client to be open to what is, be it joy or awareness, to welcome and affirm her intention with her entire body and mind.

Vijnjanmaya: Witnessing one’s True Nature expressed by our core beliefs, values, and passions. When the mind is steady and calm, we’ll know our True Self. Calming the ‘monkey mind’ we become attentive in our lives.

Anandamaya: Bliss is an experience for which we can’t be trained. It may come to us through an asana practice and one-pointed meditation, allowing ourselves to let go of the mind, body & breath. Direct the awareness inward and relax into the stillness.

Yogic Philosophy: Sutra 1:2 Yoga is the mastery of the mind’s fluctuations. This comes through practice that will allow one to connect with who we really are, living at ease and discovering our purpose.
Closed with a check-out, centering, Chant.

Client hasn't made any progress on finding a provider. I shared the information regarding Johns Hopkins. When checking-in, she reported fatigue. I asked about joint stiffness and she said that every morning she wakes up in pain and thought it was normal. She shared that she has celiac disease, needs to be gluten-free, and is exhausted.

Based on research, we started in a supine restorative pose to which she was amenable. Client reported chronic
pain in her knees which doesn't allow her to hold Balasana. After the final relaxation pose, when asked, reported discomfort in her knees which made it difficult to remain focused.

MML is focused, her form is excellent, and she readily understands cues. I spoke of Sutra 1.2, our monkey minds, and through practice how we can achieve stillness, connecting to our True Self. She appeared to listen

During the physical practice I was alert to her movements, and micro-expressions. Throughout I asked if she were in pain, and if so, she needed to tell me. I restated that yoga is not a competition, and it was important to do only what was good for her body today, what is effortless and comfortable. Listen to your internal warning signs, I told her.

I'm wondering how to approach the pain issue since she's reported living with chronic pain for decades, acknowledging it and pushing through it.

Research chronic pain, pain reference points, and pain signals. Talk about tuning into pain and other sensations. Guide MML to listen to her body. Find words to explain how ignoring her bodies's signals may not be of benefit to her overall health and well-being.

Consider other restorative poses to present.