• 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.

Most of the adjustments made to this client's care plan were in the delivery of the yoga therapy services moreso than explicit adjustments made on any kind of formal document. For example, when he requested certain movements i.e. side lying leg lifts and other hip mobility work in the side lying position, I was happy to adjust. I also accepted his feedback regarding certain meditation practices that didn't resonate as much with him (certain yoga nidra practices) and adapted accordingly. There wasn't a major adjustment made to the care plan, itself, though perhaps we could have made one.

In the later half of our sessions, he started to get more and more into the philosophical aspect, and I am confident we could have added more to his care plan in explicit yogic language - for example, more raja yoga and jnana yoga tools and teachings.

Client has been progressing towards his goals; he feels that the yoga has been the missing link for him. He feels that he is getting a better idea of what small actions he can take to help him build meaning and purpose in his life, and he has a new perspective on the idea of mastering the mind in a way that is basically the opposite of competition. I feel that it is clear he has been progressing in his empathy, introspection, and depression. As he been becoming more and more energized by the practices, we have gotten into more of the yoga sutras. I have felt like his goals have slowly been shifting towards more bonafide yogic goals, and perhaps could have been more explicit about adding/modifying existing goals.

Client claims that he feels better, overall, in his body, though he still does deal with hamstring and heel pain. He feels that certain yogic movements that were introduced through this process have been "missing" from his movement repertoire. He feels that his balance and flexibility have improved. He also has mentioned several times that he feels more in tune with his body and breathing in general.

Client claims that his energy has improved, though not as much as he had hoped. He is getting a lot of value from the breathing exercises, and now feels that he wasn't really breathing at all before. He says it helps him sleep, helps him wake up, helps him calm down - all of the goals that we have discussed in regards to the potential of the breathing exercises, he feels he is progressing towards. He clearly favors the Nadi Shodhana and Kapalabhati breathing techniques, and feels that they both help with his energy levels and "low energy" moods that may or may not qualify him for a current diagnosis of depression.

Client has experienced a notable improvement on the emotional level; he feels that he is much more well equipped to handle stress these days. He has mentioned that his thoughts and feelings are both more positive, and he feels "lighter". He does still feel a heaviness come over him, but he no longer feels the "deeper darkness" that perhaps would characterize a slide into despair (conjecture). The philosophical teachings have been helpful for his mood, specifically pratipaksha bhavana. He talks about how cultivating the opposite thought is often so shockingly different that it helps him snap out of the negative emotional loop.

When we first started working together, it became clear that DHH had never really practiced detachment from his thoughts. He had never really given any credence to witnessing practices, and had never been exposed to ideas like he is the Eternal Witness and not the ever-changing mind. He is a fierce competitor, and once he had it in his mind that he would practice ideas like "There is inertia in my mind" rather than identifying with the temporary feelings, he took that idea and ran with it. Though yoga nidra was not very successful with this client, he loves the guided imagery and practices it on his own.

This client has really been taking to the yoga sutras, and he seems to have opened his mind to spiritual ideas when explained through ideas like mental clarity and inner peace. We have talked about some of his rituals surrounding his squash competitions, and he is open to trying anything to help him feel and perform better. In our next session, I plan to re-introduce the Eight Limbs of Raja Yoga as a framework for self-development. Together, we will establish simple, practical practices that most easily fit into the client’s daily life. A deeper connection to their inner Self will be fostered through consistency with spiritual practices. For example, in the morning, he can do 5 minutes of asana, 5 minutes of pranayama, and 5 minutes of a more subtle practice (chanting, guided imagery, inspirational reading) and go from there.

client has voiced the opinion that I "really know this stuff". He says he can feel my passion and it makes him curious to learn more. He said he really likes the movements, and although he doesn't love all the subtle practices, he has said that he can see how each one might have value for someone.

His homework has been to continue his asana and pranayama practice, engage in inspirational reading, practice sitting still, practice movement snacks throughout the day, practice witnessing, avoid screentime before bed, and reflect upon philosophical teachings.

I would have started and focused more on the raja yoga aspects of the teaching and really attempted to dive into the yoga sutras from the beginning. I will need to ask this client what it was that made him interested in the yoga sutras and make note of that ; perhaps try to build on it. I could even seek out / set up a template to work through the sutras and have that as a resource on hand.

I do feel like I would benefit from getting more into the subtle teachings again, specifically the doshas, gunas, and chakras, though I know the chakras aren't a focus of IYT.

Yes, I loved it, though I have been noticing in the back of my mind that I don't feel yoga therapy is financially feasible, and that is leading me to a reluctance to put in the work for the yoga therapy certification. I am also so busy with other things that it is hard for me to prioritize this kind of service, even though I enjoy it tremendously.