• 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.

Session 2:

•. Sit in a chair, scan the body from head to toe, relaxing and releasing tension. Reverse direction.
• With an open hand on the belly and the other at heart center, practice diaphragmatic breathing. Try to do this at
work as well as at home.
•. Focus on the breath, use your exhalation to let go of tension in shoulders.

Session 2 including intake: Gentle Mobilization and Breath Awareness
• Target ROM in each shoulder, working one then the other.
• Introduce balance practices.
• Focus on breath awareness and gentle movements to activate the body.
• Begin to understand the philosophy of non-harming (Ahimsa) in yoga, and its relationship to Bhakti yoga (and what that is).

Seated in Chair Centering and Diaphragmatic Breath work
• While centering, introduce the concept of Ahimsa – be mindful of the body’s limits and avoid pushing too hard.
• Teach Dirga Swasam – hand on belly, hand on chest
• Chant Om

Seated Chair Neck & Shoulder warm-ups
• Neck and shoulder rolls
• Hug (vs. Eagle arms which may be too intense)
• Cat/Cow - Focus on movement in upper spine and rib cage, avoid strain in R shoulder.

Supported Chair Standing Balance
• Mt w/ focus, center of balance; speak toAhimsa & Bhakti - being devoted the diving in everyone, incl. yourself,
• Knee lifts
• Toes forward, to the side, to the back
• Tree pose

Seated Chair Gentle Shoulder Mobilization
• Seated shoulder stretches (L arm overhead, lower to behind back for gentle stretch, focus on L shoulder’s ROM
flowing to
• L-Handed Thread the Needle – focus on upper spine rotation w/out straining shoulder. (Switch side)
•. Cactus, Extended arms, W
• FF with cushion on lap

Meditation and Relaxation
• Seated in Chair; body scan to releax
•. Focus on the breath, let go of tension in shoulders.
• Encourage a practice of letting go and honoring what the body is capable of
• Consider Bhakti as an extension of Ahimsa, as it emphasizes love and compassion for all beings, including the diving within oneself.

Closing
• Summarize thenTeach Shanti chant

Client worked hard at participating in the session. He was very focused, closed his eyes often, concentrated hard. I directed him to exhale out of his mouth like a big sigh, then yawn in an attempt to loosen his facial tension. I explained what we were doing and to bring his awareness there, relaxing his face. We then focused on relaxing his Left shoulder in particular. He has a tendency to raise his injured shoulder when lifting his left arm.

I noticed immobility in his spine when we were twisting. I asked him to hold his arms in a T, then twist from the waist, ribs upper chest, shoulders, then maybe neck. He is very stiff and acknowledges this. We'll focus on spine mobility in addition to balance and his

I enjoyed experiencing MJL's seriousness. I was worried about how I'd (!) feel in his presence since he is an introverted older male. Would I be confident? Able to relax in his presence while instructing? When he was 'given permission' to close his eyes, he did. He chanted, too! I was surprised. Obviously, I'm still making assumptions at my age.

Moving through the practice, I was able to observe how the client moved when needing to engage his injured (repaired through surgery, two tendons unable to be reattached) LEFT shoulder. Also, the immobility and inflexibility of the spine prodded me to continue to pay attention to this.

I gave the client the choice of a seated relaxation or a Supine Supported Chest Opener. He hesitated, as I thought he would, choosing the chair. After relaxation he said, next time we can try that. I agreed, explaining to him what it would look like so he'd know. I think that the way I presented it made him hesitate. In the future, I'll show him a picture and set it up in advance in another part of the room so he can see what I'm talking about.

He appeared to feel good after the session and asked when we'd see one another again.

I felt good after the session. I was over my imposter syndrome response. One never knows who someone else is or how they'll respond. Introversion doesn't mean not being 'deep' or not wanting to go deeper. He appeared to listen to me referencing ahimsa and Bhakti yoga. He didn't cringe at the terminology or the philosophy.

We'll focus on spine mobility in addition to balance and his shoulder awareness. He is raising his entire left shoulder, taking his left arm with that raise. Making him aware of this movement, and how he is carrying himself then him being able to generalize the new knowledge will be important. I'll ask him to stand facing the mirror for these movements.

We'll continue with standing spinal twists, seated cat/cow followed by thread the needle will be included in the next session, too.

I'll set up the restorative pose so he can see it at the start of class.

Introduce Santosha. He's retiring soon (again, second profession) so this concept will be referenced.