i. TE is an adult, 59-year-old, neurotypical, Caucasian female who lives with her family, loves her 4 grandkids, and works FT from home and the office. She had a hip replacement on the L hip, and has a bad R knee. The client experiences some pain when standing for any length of time and when lifting the R leg. She has high blood pressure and migraine headaches that are actively being treated. There is pain in the hips, lower back, and knees.
TE lives a sedentary lifestyle so she wants to start moving more and “get a little exercise”. She exercises sporadically. Her diet is high in fruit, vegetables, animal protein, and carbohydrates.

ii. EL is an adult, 37-year-old with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), Caucasian male who lives with his mom and step-dad. He has a girlfriend, attends a day program, loves yoga and always feels better after practicing. He has practiced chair yoga in the past. He is recovering from a chipped R knee cap in November, has gone to PT, there was no surgery, and now has tight muscles around and behind the R knee and calf; and, has a heart murmur.
EL moves as much as he can, choosing walking, aerobics, yoga, and fitness at least 3x/week. His diet is high in fruits and vegetables, animal protein, some carbs and processed food.

iii. JTR is a 75-year-old, Caucasian female, married for many years, works FT, and has two dogs. She wants to reduce stress and feel the benefits of stretching. She’s practiced yoga with me before. Work is stressful; is challenged currently by an inflamed rotator cuff, neck and lower back pain. The client is diagnosed with osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, and migraines – all controlled. Mobility of the hands, wrists, neck, shoulders, lower back, hips and knees is limited. She walks with a cane. The osteoarthritis is in the neck, shoulders, and back; she suffers from carpal tunnel, and has multiple hip replacements dating back to the first one in 1973,
JTR is sedentary, exercises sporadically, and her diet
is high in fruits and vegetables.

iv. NV is a 43-year-old, female, Caucasian with a diagnosis of ADHD. She feels she has some mental health challenges. She’s hoping to make some social connections and enjoy the relaxing health benefits of yoga She has no experience with yoga. The client is challenged by hyper activity, attention and focus. The client may have mental health challenges, this is the box checked on the form. In school, she received special ed services due to the ADHD diagnosis and was medicated. She reported an issue with her R knee, pain that comes and goes; there is no current treatment for this.
NV does daily chores in the home, and walks up and down stairs often. She enjoys daily walks weather permitting. Her diet is high in fruit, vegetables, and animal protein.

v. AZ is a 32-year-old female with IDD. She hopes that yoga will help with her weight control and anxiety. She’s taken yoga through a recreation center and private classes when she was younger, and online classes. She suffers from neck pain after a fall from a horse several months ago. She went to a chiropractor, was x-rayed, and it’s minor. She’s responding well to treatment. There were no other diagnoses reported.
AZ enjoys walking and riding, is active 2-3 times/week. Her diet is generally good but eats too much fast food when with friends.

b. Energetic
i. TE reports having a medium energy level; sleep is frequently interrupted, and she is sometimes restless in bed.
ii. EL has a medium energy level, sleep is frequently interrupted, and has a low stress level.
iii. JTR’s energy level varies. Sleep is generally restful; stress is at a medium level due to work. She likes to play with her dogs and travel as a way to counteract stress.
iv. NV has a high energy level, and sleeps well. Her stress level is reportedly low.
v. AZ has a medium energy

i. TE stated that she has a medium level of stress, mostly due to work. She concentrates well, rarely has trouble remembering things; doesn’t experience bothersome memories; is rarely anxious; never depressed; and rarely does her mental state impact her quality of life.

ii. EL sometimes finds it difficult to concentrate; sometimes has trouble remembering things; his mother’s surgeries weigh upon him. EL sometimes feels anxious, and depressed. Rarely does his current mental state impact his Quality of Life (QOL).

iii. JTR sometimes feels anxious, and depressed though this rarely impacts her QOL.

iv. NV is diagnosed with ADHD though she rarely feels anxious, and never depressed. She sometimes has trouble concentrating and remembering things. Her current mental state never impacts her QOL. She reports being happy, feels love and is grateful, and likes feeling this way.

v. AZ sometimes has trouble concentrating, rarely does she have trouble remembering things. She does experience recurring and bothersome memories. She is anxious all of the time; and rarely depressed.

i. TE isn’t ‘very religious’; and didn’t express any need to expand on that at this time.
ii. EL has a great support system. He didn’t respond to the question regarding spirituality.
iii. JTR said she is not religious. She does like the talks on mindfulness, awareness, and being present. She hopes to practice this more.
iv. NV didn’t answer the spiritual/religious life. She has great support in her life.
v. AZ goes to church once a month. She chose not to share more.

i. TE appears to have a good outlook on life and has a good sense of self. She wishes she were more mindful; and in better shape. She enjoys reading, movies, traveling, and hanging out with her grandkids.

ii. EL is a confident man, happy and grateful for his life. He is stable, feels empowered and is satisfied with his QOL. He has a good support system, and enjoys practicing yoga.

iii. JTR is self-aware. She rarely has trouble concentrating or remembering things, and has no recurring memories that afflict her. She has been in her current position for many years and enjoys the work, and is confident in her knowledge.

iv. NV presents as a confident, alert woman with a great vocabulary whose expressive language is more than adequate. She feels empowered and inspired, and it completely satisfied with her QOL.

v. AZ reports that her current mental status doesn’t affect her QOL. She is hopeful, feels connected, and vital. The client appears happy and joyful. She reports enjoying playing video games, riding, and is two book clubs. She likes the beach, spending time with her boyfriend, and participating in three social group.

Feuerstein, Georg and Bodian, Stephan with the staff of “Yoga Journal”, Editors, Living Yoga: A comprehensive Guide for Daily Life, New York: Putnam, 1993.

This book offers essays, articles, interviews, and photos from the “Yoga Journal”, addressing Hatha, Raja, Bhakti, Karma, Tantra and Jnana Yoga. The book is chock full of meaningful guideposts, quotes, explanations, words of wisdom. The material is original, written by experts in the fields of yoga, health, and spirituality. I will apply a small fraction of what this collection has to offer. It is inspiring, and I plan to pick and choose from the many kernels of wisdom, sharing them with the clients in the hope of motivating them to want to learn more. 

Steffany Moonaz, PhD RYT500, Susan J. Bartlett, PhD, and Clifton O. Bingham III, MD, Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, Yoga for Arthritis
Edited by Dana DiRenzo, MD 3/21/18; Updated: 1/8/2019
https://www.hopkinsarthritis.org/patient-corner/disease-management/yoga-for-arthritis/#benefits

This resource has extensive scientifically based information on yoga for arthritis which I’ll use to develop sessions, and learn more about the condition. It also links to Yoga for Arthritis resources including videos.

Moonaz, Steffany, PhD, and Byron, Erin, Yoga Therapy for Arthritis, Singing Dragon: Philadelphia, 2019.

This book takes a holistic approach when working with people with arthritis. I intend to apply this approach when planning each session. There are reflection questions which may be assigned for Om Practice (homework); kosha work, relaxation and meditation tips, asana adaptations, sequence guidelines. I find this book very useful when preparing to work with this group.

Not at this time.

• 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.