Entry TypeAssessment
Client/GroupMM
Entry CategoryIntended Case Study
Select your mentorSteffany Moonaz
Intake
Assessment
Proposed number of sessions12
Location of sessionsin person
Planned time per session90 min
Presenting ProblemThe client has been diagnosed with Chronic Inflammation Response Syndrome. Her L4, L5 and S1 are fused, but has not given her problems after regularly taking yoga classes in the past). Vata dominated.
Physical

Chronic inflammation, cognitive decline, joint stiffness, poor balance, hypothyroid.

Client/Group goalsImprove cognitive function and physical health and balance.
Energetic

Fatigue/low energy.

Emotional

Worries and stress about declining health and the future.

Spiritual orientation and needs

She is not religious but feels connected with nature.

Intellectual / Sense of self

She wants to take control of her health condition (use holistic approach [reading literatures, seeking integrative health care, trying to eliminate biotoxin in her house and now seeking yoga therapy] to address her situation).

Yoga philosophy/wisdom research reference(s)

The Yoga of Suffering: Its Philosophy and Practice - Integral Yoga Magazine by Gary Kissiah
1. ‘The First Noble Truth is the inevitability of suffering; suffering is baked into the human condition. In Yoga Sutra 2.15, Patanjali tells us that, “To one of discrimination, everything is painful indeed, due to its consequences: the anxiety and fear over losing what is gained; the resulting impressions left in the mind to create renewed cravings; and the constant conflict among the three gunas, which control the mind.”
2. The Second Noble Truth is the origin of suffering. The direct causes of suffering are attachment, aversion, and ignorance. These are often referred to as the three poisons of the mind. In the Yoga Sutras, the root causes of suffering are the kleshas (obstacles). Yoga Sutra 2.3: “Ignorance, egoism, attachment, hatred and clinging to bodily life are the five obstacles.”
3. The Third Noble Truth is the cessation of suffering by refraining from doing things that make us suffer. In Yoga Sutra 2.16, Patanjali says: “Pain that has not yet come is avoidable.” There is a way out of suffering.
4. The Fourth Noble truth is the path that leads us out of suffering. The Noble Eightfold Path is Right Views, Thinking, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Diligence, Mindfulness, and Concentration. This is similar to the eight limbs of Yoga. Kriya Yoga is another set of practices that resolves suffering.’

I use this article as the client is an older adult that is worried about declined health and the future. The article discusses the root cause of suffering and how to lead us out of the suffering which I think, would be beneficial to her.

Scientific research reference(s), why chosen, how you plan to incorporate 1-3

1. Bredesen DE. Inhalational Alzheimer's disease: an unrecognized - and treatable - epidemic. Aging (Albany NY). 2016 Feb;8(2):304-13. doi: 10.18632/aging.100896. PMID: 26870879; PMCID: PMC4789584.
This paper describes Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) as a phenotypic representation of Type 3 Alzheimer’s disease that is associated with exposure to biotoxin. There is not a lot information about yoga or mindfulness on CIRS; therefore, the care plan for the client is based on studies in Alzheimer’s disease or other neurocognition studies.
2. Grzenda, A., Siddarth, P., Milillo, M.M. et al. Cognitive and immunological effects of yoga compared to memory training in older women at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Transl Psychiatry 14, 96 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-02807-0.
This study demonstrated the effectiveness of pranayama, meditation, and Kriya kirtan in improving cognitive function and stabilize chemokine and aging markers in women at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Gothe NP, Erlenbach E, Garcia V, Malani R, Voss S, Camacho PB, McAuley E, Burd N, Sutton BP, Damoiseaux JS. Yoga, aerobic and stretching exercise effects on neurocognition: Randomized controlled trial protocol. Contemp Clin Trials. 2023 Aug;131:107240. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107240. Epub 2023 May 25. PMID: 37244365; PMCID: PMC10527553.
The study shows benefits of yoga in slowing down cognitive decline and suggests that yoga can be an alternative aerobic exercise for older adults. The study also provides examples of a yoga sequence and exercise program that can be adapted to the care plan.

Approval Notice
Your care plan should be approved by your mentor, with any amendments they suggested, prior to your remaining Yoga Therapy sessions.
Questions for Mentor

Is cognitive declined is related to intellectual body? I put it as physical layer, since it is a symptom of her condition.

Care PlanOutline should be a practice adapted to the needs of that client/group, including:
  • Check in, centering, balanced hatha yoga set considering contraindications, relaxation (with imagery as appropriate),
  • balanced pranayama considering contraindications, meditation/centering.
  • Please include at least one suggestion from Karma, Bhakti, Raja, or Jnana Yoga tailored for this client/group.
  • Over time, we want to see something from each branch, selected, adapted and re-framed appropriately. Tools from each module should be used (not on each client/group – but overall)
The outline should show the sequence of practices as you plan to offer them.
Your care plan proposal should be approved by the mentor before session 2 if possible, or 3 if approval is delayed by mentor.
Session
Session Instructions (Not Mentoring)Your session outline should be a practice adapted to the needs of that client, including:
  • 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.
Over time, we want to see something from each branch, selected, adapted and re-framed appropriately.
Tools from each module should be used (not on each client – but overall)
Final Client/Group ReportAfter seeing your client/group (for at least 4 sessions including interactive intake)
Please remember practicum is a learning experience. You’ll learn more from sharing what’s accurate than from what might “look good”. Things you did well, not so well, problems and questions are all valid and useful tools to teach you. We can’t serve you to become the best clinician you can be if you don’t share your challenges and mistakes. Success is anything from which you learn. You can continue to add Session entries after submitting this Final Client/Group Report.
Report briefly on each Kosha belowProgress toward wellness or worsening reported by the client/group or that you observed in the following areas
Additional Information
Personal reflection from doing client/group.
Notify Mentor?Do not notify Mentor (choose if you wish to continue working on this entry later)