Clients are feeling the need to move their bodies more, yet are mostly tired. Wondering how to conserve their energy and realizing it's probably useless.

Clients are already stressed and drained a few weeks out from Thanksgiving. Obvious shallow breathing for some. Many are in disbelief re the election results as well. Some are sensing fear and apprehension.

One client is grieving the loss of her daughter who committed suicide earlier in the year. She's dreading going through this first year of celebrating holiday family traditions without daughter. Others are faced with challenges outside of the holiday season, which is heightening their sense of stress and frustration.

More than anything, clients need to be reminded of the need to be gentle with themselves. We'll discuss Ahimsa and Santosha, trusting that we'll all do the best we can to see ourselves through this holiday season.

Clients are self-aware and wanting to learn how to do things differently. Needing to be heard and learn a few micro-practices or hacks to see themselves through to January.

Deborah Adele's 'The Yamas & Niyamas' excerpt re Creating Balance
“Creating Balance"
Courage demands our best self and that is a self in balance. Think about the times you were “short” with others because of too much work to do, or too much caffeine and sugar, or a restless night of sleep. Imbalance in our systems is almost a certainty for violence, as the “dis-ease” we feel within finds its way to expression outwards. Balance creates harmony within us, and harmony within naturally expresses itself in external actions that are harmonious.

“Creating balance in our lives is not an easy thing. We are a hungry, noisy people, bombarded with stimulation and advertisements that promise to grant us our deepest desires. If we are not on purpose with creating balance for ourselves, we can easily fall victim to false promises and fill every breathable space with appointments and activities and all the responsibilities that go with a full agenda. It is anti-cultural to claim any space that is simply space, or to move with any kind of lingering, or to take time for closure. We are bombarded and we bombard ourselves. And if we have any doubts, our calendars will reveal the truth of our craziness. The repercussions are inescapable, immeasurable violence to ourselves and those around us.

Like the body, the mind and soul need time to digest and assimilate. Like the body, the mind and soul need time to rest. We create this rest by allowing space that we can breathe in. Not more clutter, but more space, space to reflect, space to journal, space for closure, space for imagination, and space to feel the calling of the life force within us."

We discussed this passage throughout our time together. We owned the fact that they were creating space for themselves as a practice of self-care to address the state of Ahimsa that so many of us endure as we push ourselves day-in and day-out. By claiming space for ourselves, we empower ourselves to show up differently.

Yoga, mindfulness-based stress reduction and stress-related physiological measures: A meta-analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28963884/

This meta-analysis summarized an array of research projects that confirmed the pragmatic and effective benefits of Yoga and mindfulness practices to ease and reverse stress. In addition, no need to complete a full class everyday. Learn a variety of asanas to choose from on a daily basis based upon what your body is needing.

(1) Moderate asana sequence with breath awareness - basic warm-ups, sun salutations, balancing, supine postures including twists and reclining pigeon. Learning the importance of moving the back in all 3 planes on a daily basis.
(2) Select breath practices for self-regulation, including 3-Part Breath, Alternate Nostril Breathing, Voo Breath and Breath of Joy
(3) Yoga Nidra for cultivating deep relaxation and body awareness.

Contraindications to allow for body limitations due to injury. Emphasizing and reminding clients the subtle power of breath practices and to return to normal breathing if clients start to feel dizzy or funny. No apparent contraindications for Yoga Nidra - simply taking a self-compassionate approach with no expectations as you give your body time and space to learn to relax and let go. No judgements or stories, simply observing with curiosity and openness.

None 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.