• 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 # 5:
1. Read document on Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation
2. Find a comfortable seated posture in Sukhasana (Easy Pose/crisscross applesauce)
3. Center the body by rooting the sitting bones to the cushion, close the eyelids or gaze softly at the floor, elongate the spine, tuck the lower ribs, draw the shoulders back and down, rest the backs of the hands on your knees/thighs, tuck the chin, reach the crown of the head to the sky.
4. Practice Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation.

Session 5: Restorative Integration

Theme: Īśvara Praṇidhāna (Surrender) — trusting the process. Introduce Ishvarapranidhana, combining it with Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion) — as both focus on surrender, connection to something greater, and cultivating inner peace through faith, gratitude, and heartfelt practices.

Centering
• Ujjayi breathing with mantra (inhale “let,” exhale “go”).
• Breath integration, adding Dirga Swasam with ujjayi
• “What would it feel like to let go, even for a moment?”
• Affirmation: “My body is steady. My mind is calm. I am grounded.”

Seated
• Explained then briefly practiced Sa Ta Na Ma so client would be ready at the end of the session•. Spinal twists
• Side bends
• C/C

Supine Restorative Movement & Poses
• Spinal twist, windshield wipers, wind releasing
• Reclining supported bound angle (Bolster + blankets)
• Supported legs-on-chair pose

Relaxation
• Supine progressive muscle relaxation via body scan
• Long Yoga Nidra: “My body is steady. My mind is calm. I am grounded.”
• Reflect on Īśvara Praṇidhāna and Bhakti
• “What would it feel like to let go, even for a moment?”

Closing
• Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation - further explanation of the research behind it, the mantra's meaning, and the mudras was presented before practicing

Client reported that in a particularly stressful situation she nearly began practicing Nadi Suddhi (NS). She chose not to use her fingers instead opting for Dirga Swasam. When she finished telling the story, I shared that she was generalizing her yoga practice and if she wanted, could try NS without the fingers! She pondered this then gave it a try. She said remembering to breathe through the earlier situation really helped her.

The client is becoming more familiar with the restorative postures. Relaxation and then affirmation repetition after a long muscle relaxation allowed her focus, she said. She did say she had to chuckle since she liked the idea of "being grounded". Did that mean she had to stay in her room and wasn't allowed to go to work? We had a good laugh.

She seemed interested in learning about Sa Ta Na Ma meditation. She used to play the piano and appeared to enjoy singing the tones, feeling the vibrations, and learning that 84 acupressure points in the palate of the mouth were stimulated.

I researched the idea of introducing Īśvara Praṇidhāna and Bhakti. Through my reading, I was able to summarize it. Īśvara Praṇidhāna means surrendering to a higher power, inner wisdom, or the flow of life. It’s one of the Niyamas in the Eight Limbs of Yoga and invites trust, humility, and letting go of the need to control everything.

In Yoga Therapy, I think Īśvara Praṇidhāna combines especially well with Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion). Both focus on surrender, connection to something greater, and cultivating inner peace through faith, gratitude, and heartfelt practices.

It also pairs beautifully with Rāja Yoga (the path of meditation and mind mastery) — as surrender softens resistance during meditation, helping release attachments and mental obstacles.

What I enjoy most about preparing for these sessions is how much I learn as I create a plan for the client. Equally, it is fulfilling to share this knowledge, and recognize it being received.

Integration and Inner peace, is the theme for Session 6.

I hope to create a class where MML first centers wholly then moves gently yet thoroughly through seated, kneeling, standing, and supine postures before deep relaxation and guided imagery.