• 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.

Set aside 5-25 minutes 3x/week, practicing “Rest and Recover”.

Session #1:
1. Rest in a restorative position with props under the head, between the knees, over the eyes, etc. as needed.
a. Center by taking deep inhalations through the nostrils, and long exhalations through pursed lips.
b. Let go of your breath when you feel ready.
2. Reflection: Ahimsa
a. What does it mean to take care of myself?
b. How do I do that?
c. How can I better nurture myself?

I reviewed with CMS what he hoped to achieve/why he chose yoga therapy. He wishes to keep up his general physical fitness due to his diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. When asked how he was feeling about his future he said, "I've lived a good life. I accept the outcome. And if I have a lung transplant, the diagnosis is gone completely."

Fatigue Severity Scale - Scored 47 out of 63 = see a doctor... Lower motivation when fatigued, it interferes with his physical functioning, Fatigue is month my three most disabling symptoms.

Session 1: Grounding & Breath Awareness

Centering
• Teach Dirga Swasam leading to 360-breath
• Introduce Ahimsa
• Karma yoga and ahimsa - selfless service to others, without expecting anything in return. Whether small or big, a loving act without any expectation of reward is one of the ways to purify the heart.
• Sankalpa: “I meet myself with kindness.” And other examples, asking him to choose.

Gentle Seated Movement
• Neck & shoulder rolls
• Arm lifts – Cactus to Extended to W
• Spinal twist
• Lateral stretch

Spine & Core
• TT to Bear
• Bird Dog
• Supported Balasana w/ chair and props

Standing (Supported) Poses

• Swinging arms from side to side, gentle spinal twist from waist
• Tadasana– focus, 360 breath awareness, Ahimsa, Sankalpa
• Supported Chair Pose
• Gentle side bends
• Forward fold

Supine Restorative
• Supported Reclined Bound Angle – focusing on soft, natural breathing
• Snow Angels. (didn't do)
• Side stretches (didn't do)

Relaxation
• Guided Yoga Nidra - body scan focusing on sensations of kindness
• How might I soften toward my breath?
• How might I soften my body?
• How might I soften my expectations?

Pranayama
• Breath awareness visualization waves rolling in and out
• Natural breathing
• Simple visualization: imagining breath as a wave of ease

Closing
•. Words of kindness, Ahimsa
•. Shanti chant

CMS experienced several injuries throughout his lifetime (age: 64). There are lingering effects for example, his neck is very tight after falling off a ladder (occasional neck spasms). He had spinal surgery and "back issues". He plans how to get up and down from the floor.

I approached this session with open eyes to observe his ROM, pain triggers, overall abilities. His neck is tight. That was clearly visible when moving the head from left to right. There was no pain. When he practiced a broadened chest movement with breath and arm movements - cactus to extended arms to W arms, his left bicep spasmed. WHY?

In tabletop, he struggled with balance and strength, working through it by lifting one arm in bird dog for example, then focusing before lifting a leg.

When in the supported reclined post, I placed not only the block and bolster on which to lean but also bolsters and blankets under his thighs, blankets under his arms, and a pillow behind his head. He appeared to relax into the pose with body scans and guided imagery in Yoga Nidra (practiced that in this pose) visualizing the ocean, talking him through the senses then returning to the breath as a wave of ease.

When I assist my clients into these postures, including yoga Nidra, I place a face towel over the eyes, bridge of nose, ears then apply gentle pressure to the forward, sliding my hands alongside the head (all with permission of course). I then place my hands on their shoulders, applying gentle pressure here as well. I can see their shoulders sinking downward, and tension being released.

Yoga has helped me with my mobility, balance, flexibility, strength, ease of mind, peace, and so much more! When I see my same-aged peers who appear 'fit', I realized they can walk, get up and down from a chair, but they are stiff, with limited mobility and flexibility. I simply didn't realize to what extent some of them are tightly bound and wound.

CMJ appears strong but in TT his arms shook when he practiced Bear and Bird Dog. I was surprised. In the reclined pose, he needed bolsters and blankets under his thighs, a pillow under his head, blankets under his arms (not so astonishing). His hips were tight.

It was necessary to support his breathing throughout the practice. He appeared to struggle with integrating the breath with the move. I advised him to let his breath go, to focus on the physical aspect first, then the breath. He at times held his breath. Breath awareness is something I learned long ago, and truly began to implement it daily with my Stress Management course. I shared the importance of letting go, too, of the physical, and focusing only on the breath.

I enjoy creating imagery scripts in my head then sharing them with the client(s). Using my voice as a instrument of ease, guiding someone to relax and allow the senses to imagine for example how the wind feels on one's body, the smells of the ocean, the taste of the water, the warmth of the sun, etc. can be fulfilling.

Introduce another breathing technique. Nadi suddhi

Gentle movements inviting pace into the breath.

Talk about Santosh and Bhakti.

Chest openers; spine and core strengtheners; balance; relaxation with guided imagery.