• 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.

Awareness Practice - at least once/day

Check In

Awareness Practice

Discussion on what is healing?

Supported Setu Bandha Sarvāṅgāsana - extended time with breath awareness

Shavasana and Yoga Nidra

Client presented tamasic - still feeling depleted/low energy as she navigates long COVID. She enjoyed her time away at the beach, still attending AA meetings while there - she attended an "old timers' meeting," and was asked to be a speaker at the following meeting, where she received her 3-year chip. She overall ate "clean" during her trip, and despite the discomfort of a "different" bed, all but two nights she was in bed by 11:00pm. She also did some kind of movement everyday - either gentle asana or walking. The first two days of the trip she shared feeling uncomfortable to the point of almost returning home because of the discomfort of "no distractions," yet by the end of the week she "didn't want to leave the beach" because of the deep calm and rest she experienced.

During the Awareness practice she reported feeling a "separation...like popcorn" between the layers - feeling a disconnect between the emotions, the thoughts, the body and the breath. At the same time she identified having experienced very specific emotions - some she was carrying guilt about feeling: "irritable...judgemental towards others...self-pity." I celebrated her ability to acknowledge and name the emotions she was feeling - as there was a time not too long ago where she would not allow herself to feel those emotions.

With her energy low I offered supported Setu Bandha Sarvāṅgāsana, to allow the weight of the pelvic organs to be lifted off the pelvic floor - so we could work on breath awareness, deepening her breathing and feeling emotions in her body - while supporting core engagement for her pelvic organ prolapse. I encouraged her to use her hands for feedback and connection, placing one or both on her body. She shared she wanted to "tap into compassion," and I asked her where she was feeling compassion in her body? She placed her hand in the space above her liver. I encouraged her to breathe into that space, and offer any gentle massage to the area as felt appropriate. I shared that, through the lens of Ayurveda, the liver is seen as not only cleansing the blood but supporting the cleansing and processing of emotions.

The client had some insights during the practice which encouraged her: "I've loved my insides today," "It's amazing there can be so much you need and not know about it," and "I've given attention to organs that help give me energy - giving them what they need." With these thoughts we had an impromptu discussion on what is healing? Encompassing a little of the curing vs. healing ideas from Healing Relationships and YCAT.

After Shavasana and Yoga Nidra the client reported feeling "more energy."

With the client presenting tamasic and reporting low energy, I had to change the intended plan, which included practice of Virabhadrasana II and Pavritti Trikonasana, continuing the asanas recommended by Dr. Fishman. I do feel like the client gained a deeper understanding and awareness of how working with her breath supports her healing from long COVID - feeling an improvement in energy and understanding that her body is healing and growing stronger, even when she feels that she lacks the energy level she had prior.

Check In

Awareness Practice

Asana: Virabhadrasana II and Pavritti Trikonasana - seated in a chair if energy is too low for standing with wall and chair support

Pranayama: Nadi Shodhana review - explore extending the exhale to a ratio of 2:1

Abdominal Massage - from Leslie Howard's Pelvic Floor Yoga protocol

Japa: meditation on the breath

Shavasana and Yoga Nidra