• 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 #3:

1. Set your timer, if you wish. In a quiet, dark, undisturbed space relax in a supine posture with bolster under knees,
etc. Get comfortable.
a. Take a few moments to reflect on what you’re experiencing in your body and mind.
2. Reflection: Set a timer for five minutes and ponder what brings you simply joy and contentment.

Session 3: Cultivating Balance — Mind, Body & Breath

Theme: Santosh (Contentment) — embracing the present moment.

Supine Centering
• Supported supine centering
• Ujjayi breathing (gentle, not forceful)
• Emphasis on extending the exhale
• Affirmation. - “I am safe. I am healing. Peace surrounds me.”

Gentle Movement & Joint Care

Standing postures
•. Mountain
• Overhead reach to backbend to FF to 1/2 FF to reverse swan dive
•. Gentle side stretch
• Tree

Seated wrist/ankle circles, shoulder openers.
•. Butterfly
• 90-90
• Windshield wipers
• Dandasana

Supine
• Wind releasing pose adding gentle side to side spinal rocking and rolling
• Leg stretches with strap - candlestick to one side to across the body

Guided Relaxation
•. Supported supine savasana with tense and release then body scan
• 4-6 breathing (inhale 4, exhale 6) with mindful breath awareness
•. Sankalpa: “I am safe. I am healing. Peace surrounds me."
•. Visualize light and warmth throughout the body

Closing
• Reflection: “What brings me simple joy?” (Santosh)

During check-in, MML stated that the external rotation of her left foot hurts due to a soccer injury yesterday. Her left eye is also swollen. She forgot to take her medication the night before which may have contributed to the swelling.

Her fatigue score continues to fall into the 'need further evaluation by a physician' range. On the pain numeric rating scale, her best level of pain over the last week was a 1 (from 0-10), currently a 3, and the worst, a 6. On the PANAS (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), she scored signs of moderate (3) distress, pride, irritability, for example, quite a bit (4) strong, irritable, extremely interested and determined (5), and very slightly (1) upset, guilty, scared. There were no twos. Her stretch range has improved.

I asked if she'd found a rheumatologist whom she liked and trusted. she reported that she has one but hasn't seen them for some time. She is relying on natural approaches to lupus, ie no steroids. She is taking herbal supplements, made dietary & lifestyle changes, and is taking a holistic approach. She has followed up with her gastroenterologist for the celiac.

Listening is a required skill when working as a (yoga) therapist. Of course, as a friend, mom, community member, etc. it is also a skill to implement. Listening isn’t passive — it’s an active, skilled, and compassionate process that’s central to therapeutic work. It’s how healing conversations begin, how trust is built, and how growth is supported.

I feel that when the client feels genuinely heard, they’re more likely to open up and trust the therapeutic relationship. Active, nonjudgmental listening helps clients feel safe, valued, and respected. I sat back and listened as MML reported on her preferred approach to treating her diagnoses. She'd previously shared more of her personal story. By listening carefully, I was able to better understand not just the facts, but the emotions, meanings, and unspoken needs behind a her choices.

Introduce Svadhyana - (Self-study) and listening inward and Jñāna Yoga - the yoga of wisdom.

Use energy balancing to balance the koshas.

Guided imagery imaging breath as light.