• 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.

Practice alternate nostril breathing after establishing a smooth, steady, quiet breath (could review technique as described in document provided by me,) and another practice of client’s choosing.

Same basic outline as Week Three. Briefly reviewed the manoyama kosha. Introduced some yoga for brain health/cross patterning practices: press one hand away while bring other hand close to hip on same side, press one hand away while other hand crosses to opposite hip; infinity patterns with eyes, nose, point over crown of head, hips: circling elbows-one down while other circles upward (switch,) horsestance with alternating heel lifts, cross crawl, side steps while swaying one arm or arms in infinity pattern (figure 8 pattern in both directions.) Introduced concept of ida, pingala, & central channel; alternate nostril breathing. Balance challenge: lighter touch of holding onto chairback during toe taps and stepping back onto toes. Guided relaxation, traveling awareness through the body bi-laterally (R, L, both,) whole body awareness to heart center.

Individuals are open and forthright in their sharings and feedback. Each person is finding value in the sessions in different ways; some more related to whole body relaxation, other related to calming the mind, breath observation, and balance. Clients chose to meet for six sessions rather than stop at five.

Though the challenges of living with Parkinson’s disease can be disheartening, sharing the hardships in a group tends to lighten the individual load. Including laughter in the sessions multiple times tends to lighten the energy in the room.

Three of the four practiced guided relaxation supine on the floor. The fourth person is going to experiment with using two chairs, one to sit on the other to support calves and feet, at home between session to see if this is more comfortable than sitting with feet on floor.

Sometimes facial expressions are masked in people living with PD due to flat affect. I need to keep remining myself of this as I look to see how practices are being received. It can be hard to determine at first glance.

The participants are definitely getting the idea that there’s much more to yoga than the physical part.

Similar physical and breath practices to Session Four.

Vijnanamaya kosha. Shift from concentration to meditation. Ask Who am I? Am I my body? Am I my thoughts? What is my highest value? What are my highest priorities? What is most important to me? Raise these questions in session and again for home practice after pranayama.