• 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.

I adjusted the plan according to her body's ability to move, balance, and relax. She appeared to be dealing with mental and physical recovery from health issues, her mother's death, her new life - marriage, living in the USA, and being a stepmom (with no children of her own). Developing a new identity while keeping the parts of herself she loves seemed to be weighing on her. I readjusted the physical part of the plan to meet her physical abilities - more gentle balance, stretching, and strengthening asanas. I had planned to address her grief but she said she wasn't ready for that. Based on her needs, I introduced Aparigraha, non-attachment, Santosha: contentment, acceptance of what is, finding joy in the present moment; Svadhyaya: Self-study, introspection. We didn't talk specifically about spirituality as she stated that she had no belief system. She participated in talks about raja, karma, Bhakti with good insights.

KTS progressed in movement, both during sessions and outside of them. She's using the morning practice, and breathing practices during the day to relieve her stress and anxiety. She was seeking emotional balance. The relaxation, yoga nidra, restorative, and guided meditation helped her to find some peace, she stated.
After the intake and first practice session, I modified the plan to allow for more balance asanas, stretching/lengthening poses, and guided relaxation. The client moved to the USA around 5 years ago, and since lost her mom who lived in Asia, was diagnosed with and went through cancer treatments, is in recovery. She did well with guided meditations and working on letting go of attachments. I encouraged her to reflect on her own health and well-being. She spends a lot of time caring for her new spouse and his son. Part of the practice was to give herself permission to allow the moment to be exactly as it is and allow herself to be exactly as she is.

Client demonstrated improvement in physical awareness and mobility. Increased ease in performing gentle asanas, with enhanced balance, joint comfort, and breath coordination. Reports decreased physical tension, particularly less overall stiffness when she practiced her heath yoga, and improved sleep quality.

KTS exhibited steadier, more conscious breathing patterns during sessions. She reported feeling “more centered” and less fatigued during the day. She's trying to practice diaphragmatic breathing into her daily routines. KTS's believes the sessions have enhanced her overall energy flow and regulation.

When asked, KTS reported having greater emotional stability and awareness. She feels more able to identify and label emotions more clearly and has developed the new coping strategies we've practiced, such as using breath awareness when experiencing anxiety. There has been a reduction in self-reported stress and irritability, with an increase in positive mood states.

The client shows improved introspection and mindfulness. In our discussions, she's actively reflected on personal patterns of thought and behavior, demonstrating a shift toward self-compassion and less judgment. I've asked her to try to continue with this so we can pick up in our discussions where we left off.

KTS reports a subtle but meaningful sense of connection to a deeper sense of peace during guided relaxation and meditative practices. She wants to continue to practice this since she feels more at ease. It appears difficult to be open to the present moment, indicating early signs of inner contentment and spiritual alignment.

Support plan:

Focus on a home practice sequence combining simple asanas, breath awareness, and a brief body scan meditation for daily use.
Explore deeper Raja Yoga practices (e.g., non-attachment, santosha, svadhyaya)
Check-in on energy levels and emotional state in the morning when she sets her intention for the day, and her body scan and asana practice

She reported that she was feeling better overall and would like to continue when I'm back in the states. She knows I'm in the process of completing the YT certification so we may need to postpone that for a while but I'm available to consult or advise. She liked the breathing techniques which she could implement whenever, wherever. She's already used them at work and at home when feeling stressed or anxious. She started noticing interoceptively how her body was reacting to situations and was occasionally able to implement the practice before she became too stressed.
She stated that she was grateful to have the opportunity to practice and partake in yoga therapy. She wasn't sure what it was going to be or what exactly we would be doing. (I made a note of this so I can do a better job explaining this to future clients.) She felt more relaxed after our sessions and 'didn't want to leave'.

Rest in Corpse Pose with supports (Savasana):

a. Set a timer for three minutes.
b. Slowly breathe 3x in through the nostrils and out of the mouth,
c. Now continue breathing in through the nostrils, filling first the belly, then lower lungs, & upper lungs with air,
Exhaling through the nostrils from the top down, focusing on your breath.
d. When thoughts enter the mind, simply acknowledge them then let them go by visualizing them floating away on a cloud.
f. Return to the breath.

When the alarm sounds, release the breath and rest.

I believe in-person sessions offer a level of privacy, presence, and therapeutic intimacy that is difficult to replicate in virtual settings. For this reason, in the future I would plan to conduct the final session in person before leaving for vacation. While an individual’s commitment to their mental health ultimately determines the effectiveness of therapy, I find in-person sessions to be the preferred and most effective mode of delivery when possible.

When presenting yoga philosophy, I'd offer short stories or anecdotes to make abstract concepts relatable and memorable. Stories breathe life into philosophy, illustrating timeless principles through everyday experiences or ancient wisdom tales. A well-chosen story invites reflection without lecturing, making philosophy feel accessible, meaningful, and directly applicable to one’s own life.

I received support, and found adapting as the sessions progressed was beneficial for me and the client. There were no problems, and questions were answered as time passed. Mentor and peer support were well-appreciated.

I enjoyed the experience of offering yoga therapy as a service. The sessions provided a meaningful opportunity for reflection and personal growth. I took time to consider the person and their needs before planning what I hope were thoughtful sessions that integrated of movement, breath work, relaxation, and philosophy.