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by | Feb 16, 2024

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Entry TypeAssessment
Client/GroupYoga for Brain Health
Entry CategoryCase Study
Select your mentorBrahmi Romero
Intake
Assessment
Proposed number of sessions4
Location of sessionsSW Library
Planned time per session90-120
Yoga philosophy/wisdom research reference(s)

Sutra 1.12: These mental modifications are restrained by practice and non-attachment."

In previous group sessions (Gentle Years Yoga), we had discussed the whirlpool of the mind, painful and non-painful thoughts (Sutra 1.5), how to discern them, how to control our thoughts and calm the mind through mindfulness and meditation.

Now the group wanted to learn how to they could form new habits and have them stick.

I chose sutra 1.12 because it talks about two key principles to forming new habits:

1) Abhyasa (regular practice and dedication): this principle can help us reinforce a new behavior until it becomes a routine.
2) Vairagya (non-attachment): this principle can help us to adopt a non-attached mindset towards the outcomes of a new habit.

I used the image of the bird to illustrate that those two principles always go together. For a bird to fly, both wings are necessary.
I also used the story of the two boatsmen who forgot to undo the knot of their boat and never left the shore even though they were rowing all night.

If we practice with our mind fully engaged in its attachments, we are still tied down, and it is impossible to make progress (form a new habit); we are like the two boatmen in the story who never detached the boat from the dock. Similarly, if we let go of our personal attachments but don’t practice, we would drift aimlessly down the river, like a boat without oarsmen.

Focusing on the journey and practice rather than the ultimate goal can also reduce frustration, encourage persistence and bring joy.

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

Wassiliwizky E, Koelsch S, Wagner V, Jacobsen T, Menninghaus W. The emotional power of poetry: neural circuitry, psychophysiology and compositional principles. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2017 Aug 1;12(8):1229-1240. doi: 10.1093/scan/nsx069. PMID: 28460078; PMCID: PMC5597896.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5597896/

https://www.health.harvard.edu/promotions/harvard-health-publications/a-guide-to-cognitive-fitness
I chose this publication because it included a tangible six-step program that may help to maintain and improve overall health (all layers of the body).

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