• 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.

Continue: exploring the awareness practice in different situations where it allows her to connect more deeply with herself.

Practice: working with the marma stick to both explore new awareness of her hands and sensations, as well as support the health of her koshas as she engages with the energy of her clients in her chiropractic practice.

Continue: our discussions of the sutras and wisdom teachings of yoga as we continue our relationship as colleagues.

Check In

Awareness Practice

Janine's Tree Grounding Practice

Marma practice for the hands - incorporating a marma stick

Supported Matsyasana - with pranayama bolster along head, neck and spine, bolster and blankets under the legs, explored adding waterfall breath during the pose

Supported Supta Matsyendrasana - with bolster and blanket under the legs, neck pillow

Supported Mandukasana - bolster under the chest and hips, block under the forehead, blanket under the knees

Shavasana with Yoga Nidra

Client was very sattvic in her presentation - both physical and mental energy. After the awareness practice she reported while overall feeling very calm and at ease, she noticed slight discomfort through the left forearm and wrist, which she says is often there when she is quiet and still enough to listen. She had engaged in a short meditation practice in the morning, which has become part of her morning routine.

She enjoyed the restorative poses, and reported subtle sensations which reflected her earnest effort to be present with herself without judgement. For example, during the supported twist where her right side was lengthened, she noticed the SI joint region slightly achy, with increased tension through the TFL, IT band and glute max ("the side with the popping knee"). On the left side she reported feeling less tension, but more awareness of muscular fatigue in the right glute region and above the low back (scale of 3/4 out of 10), describing her experience with the pose on that side as "relaxed but working the entire time." With her love of nature, she engaged with and enjoyed the waterfall breath.

Being that she is the owner of the business from whom I sublease a space, I realized I was more nervous/intimidated working with her at first - it was a good check for me on my attachments - my ego in wanting her to see me as a valuable resource and professional referral for her clients, even my own vulnerability in allowing her to get to know me better as a person and not just a yoga therapist. I felt that I was able to offer her tools - especially in pranayama and raja that will support her personal growth, and at the same time get to know her better as a friend even more than a colleague. She mentioned that she's giving my information to her sister in PA, and I was honored and moved by that.

This was the final scheduled session for the case study, however with our continued business relationship it will probably include some regular sessions.