• 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.

2. Mindful Wake-up: Start with a Purpose
a. On waking, sit in your bed or a chair in a relaxed posture. Close your eyes and connect with the sensations of your seated body. Make sure your spine is straight, but not rigid.
b. Take three long, deep, nourishing breaths—breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Then let your breath settle into its own rhythm, as you simply follow it in & out, noticing the rise & fall of your chest & belly as you breathe.
c. Ask yourself: “What is my intention for today?” Use these prompts to help answer that question, as you think about the people and activities you will face. Ask yourself: How might I show up today to have the best impact? What quality of mind do I want to strengthen and develop? What do I need to take better care of myself? During difficult moments, how might I be more compassionate to others and myself? How might I feel more connected and fulfilled?
d. Set your intention for the day. For example, “Today, I will be kind to myself; be patient with others; give generously; stay grounded; persevere; have fun; eat well,” or anything else you feel is important.
e. Throughout the day, check in with yourself. Pause, take a breath, and revisit your intention. Notice, as you become more and more conscious of your intentions for each day, how the quality of your communications, relationships, and mood shifts.
https://www.mindful.org/take-a-mindful-moment-5-simple-practices-for-daily-life/

Seated on bolster w/ blocks under knees:
Check-in, Centering, Dirga Swasam, Affirmation, Chanting OM.
Arms floating ½ up & down 3x, all the way up/down 3x; Side-bend to side-twist, SWITCH.
Dandasana isometric 3x, Flex/Extend Ankles, ex- & internally rotate ankles, R knee to chest, R arm up, back, around. SWITCH
W/ stacked blocks in TT, C/C, R leg extended to stretch calf, then knee to R, back to stretch calf, Knee to center back to stretch calf, Knee to L , back to stretch calf, wide-kneed Balasana, SWITCH.
Push into DFD to FF w/ stacked blocks to standing, MT, internal awareness.
Move to Wall for support, MT w/block btw ft., find balance and stability throughout these moves. Using Wall support, R ft on Block, mindfully swing leg to front and back 8x; R ft still pressing into block, R leg extended, L for on tippy-toes, then R knee bends, L ft flat 8x Come off the block, shake & wiggle; SWITCH
Dandasana, Ankle flexion (plantar), Ankles circles, Hands holding under R thigh, Flex/Extend R leg 5x, R knee to chest, Cross ft over, C/C, Side-bend arm flow. SWITCH.
Savasana, Tense and Release to Restorative Waterfall with calves on chair.

Thich Nhat Hanh Mindful Breathing Meditation. Words of wisdom/yogic philosophy on mindfulness, present moment, non-judgmentalism, self-care. Giving oneself permission to allow the moment to be exactly as it is, and allowing oneself to be exactly who one is.
Close with repetition of Affirmation, silently sharing our Affirmation s with one another. Repetition of cultivating awareness of one’s experience in the present moment, living each moment as fully as possible. Chanting Shanti, bowing heads to offer peace to the client, etc. Check-out.

Client shared that she came ten minutes early to be able to transition from her being brought to my home, to using the toilet, calming herself in my studio, all before starting the practice. Great idea, I told her.
She informed me that she had eaten a big meal so I avoided stomach/prone poses, and FFs.
She spoke of L knee pain the second time she was on her knees, this time we were to practice Dynamic Low Lunges. We stopped and moved on to Dandasana which was planned. I thanked her for telling me. When it is something you can move through and still feel good, that's one thing. One it is painful, we will avoid it. She also experienced a twinge around her kidneys when sitting on the bolster so we removed that from the practice.
Before Restorative Waterfall she used the toilet again. I asked her how she was feeling after Savasana and tense & release, and how could I make her more comfortable. She reported that she was ok. I reminded her to do what was best for her.
At check-out she reported that she forgot all about any pain or twinging that she was feeling. I talked about the mind-body experience. I brought up an article on the new paradigm for pain. I offered to send it to her and she said yes, please. She appeared very relaxed in the restorative pose.
I need to think more about the knee and research what I can do to help strengthen the muscles around it. It will need to be basis to begin with since kneeling on it doesn't work for her. She shared an issue about her bunions which we talked about at check-out, I'll look into that as well.

I enjoy working 1:1 with this client. I feel I'm teaching her how to self-calm. At check-in, she talked about a work situation a colleague was experiencing. She appeared worried for this young person. The practice today seemed to take her mind off of that, and other things (step-son whom she brought up).

I think the less complicated scripted meditations will work well for her, giving her mind space. I like the restorative poses at the end instead of our basic Savasana. I can actually see how the clients sink into the props and let go during the scripted meditations.

I think today we both had a good day.

Research basis knee strengthening asanas; continue to include balance and ankle movements. Look into bunions and what one can do for those besides different shoes, and spacers.

Be ready for her to arrive 10 minutes before start time.

Check in with her via email or text before the next session to ask if she has any questions or wants to practice a brief mindful breathing meditation with me.

Find a nice guided relaxation/meditation for her that she will enjoy, and another restorative pose.