• 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.

Sit or lay down then open your practice with a brief meditation on the concept of joy. (She's a practiced meditator.)

Give thought to chanting Om Shri Anandaye Namaha

Consider all the things that bring you joy in your life and how your body feels when you’re joyful.
What are the sensations?
What are some of the qualities of joy in your body?
If you could choose three words to describe your body’s felt state of joy, what would they be?
Add these words to your journal.

Centering
Grounding and Posture alignment
Mind - letting go of the monkey chatter, bring yourself back to the here and now
Breathing - Nadi Suddhi and DS
Affirmation
Chanting Om

Check-in
Manomaya – Motivational interviewing. Client talked this session about her pain, discomfort, fears, and her inability
to walk. She’s found a contact who can help her get an appointment with a good pain doctor.

Vijnjanamaya – Throughout the MI process client was encouraged to witness not only her physical body, but also her
breath and mind.

Brought up Jnana yoga as of the traditional paths of yoga that focuses on self-inquiry and wisdom. Talked about how we can use it to gently explore the stories, beliefs, and patterns we hold about ourselves and the world — and whether those beliefs are serving us. I said that it invites us to ask reflective questions like, ‘Who am I beyond this experience, beyond this diagnosis, beyond these thoughts?’” I brought this up after PAM talked in the recent past about how she loses momentum after 2.5 months of doing things whether it was swimming, exercising, yoga, meditating, etc. I then used MI to introduce some ways that might be attractive to her such as, journaling her reflections after breathwork, asana, or Yoga Nidra, or observing recurring mental patterns and identifying limiting beliefs. (She's journaled for decades.)

Chair asanas
Joint loosening of neck, shoulders, wrists, fingers.
Legs and Feet

Supine

"Morning Stretches" to release tension, add fake or real yawning
Knee to chest, R knee only (per PT);
Offered hamstring stretches w/belt (no strap0, bed didn't seem to provide firm support

Restorative savasana w/support under head, pillows (has no bolster) under R knee (other hip hurts w/knee support),
folded blanket on belly for weight and comfort, blanket over entire body for warmth
Integral yoga-style Yoga Nidra then breathing into meditation.

Closing
Introduced the Chant - Om Shri Anandaye Namaha followed by a brief meditation. Invited PAM to experience joy as a felt sensation in the bliss sheath, and to recognize and honor the bliss we carry within. Prompted her to use this mantra to rid herself of the negative energy in her life. Welcomed her to objectively witness her body, breath, and mind, then to let it go finding peace in her True Nature.

“Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. Let's cherish the path we're on, find value in the unexpected, and celebrate the sheer joy of being alive.” - Allen Saunders.

During check-in, PAM reported that she is still doing her aqua therapy on Thursdays. Praised her for this. Her thighs and groin are hurting more. Told PT as has continued to increase over the last ten days. She'd gained 3 centimeters when practicing konasana when PT. She's bending and moving her legs more, though she's not feeling the same level of relief when she crossed her midline as she'd done two weeks ago. Her doctor took her off another med due to the side effects and on 3.18.24 her pain returned. Pain psychologist (?) is working with her on trying to find a new medication to treat nerve pain.

PAM was upbeat, joining the session while eating an ice cream cone (these are virtual sessions). Her living space is under renovation but progress is being made. It will soon 'be better' she reported.

She is doing strength exercises with her PT. She seems him every 7-14 days. He wants her standing, holding onto the counter, swinging leg side to side w/ foot on floor, pelvic tilts. She struggles with standing, even with supports.

I'm concerned about the pain increasing instead of decreasing even with her three therapies (aqua, yoga, and physical), her medications, and home practice. PAM doesn't want me talking to her medical/therapeutic team which I respect. I hope she continues to seek answers by pursuing second opinions. She did tell me that a friend referred her to pain doctor whom she plans to see in the very near future. This friend helped her to get an immediate appointment vs waiting six month. This doctor helped her friend. This sounds promising.

I feel this need to help her as I remember simultaneously to set boundaries. I continue to listen and use MI in the hope of evoking her own ideas and motivation for change rather than prescribing solutions. I appreciate her reporting to me any progress, stagnation, or set-backs as it helps me to plan future care.

Netra vyayamen, chair yoga, YN to cultivate the positive, refresher on yoga sutra 2.33 on pratipaksa bhavanam. As about Jnana yoga and reflecting on "Who am I beyond this experience?" Did she journal her reflections after breathwork, meditation, or asanas?