• 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.

1. Center on your chair – The eyelids are closed, or your gaze directed softly downward. Feet are firmly planted on the floor; knees over ankles; shoulders over hips; ears over shoulders. Inhale raising your shoulders up to your ears. On the exhale, roll them back, squeezing the blades together. Allow them now to roll down your back; palms on lap, face up or down. Sitting bones and feet rooting down, chin tucked, face relaxed, crown of head reaching to the sky as you elongate the spine. Find comfort in this posture.
2. Clear the mind, commit to staying focused in the present moment, being mindful. When a thought arises, acknowledge it, visualize that thought being placed on a soft white cloud then allow a breeze to blow it away, returning your mind to the here-and-now.
3. Bring the attention to your breath. First, notice how you’re breathing. Is it shallow or deep? Slow or fast? It’s alright, however it is.
4. Practice Alternate Nostril Breathing – nadi suddhi for as long as it is comfortable for you. (See article attached to email.)
5. When you’ve released your breath, notice if you feel more emotionally balanced, if you feel calmer.
6. Practice the joint loosening movements attached to the email.
7. Close with a body scan, releasing tension from the soles of the feet to the crown of the head, and back down again.

Abhyasa & Vairagya — Practice and Letting Go

Abhyasa (dedicated practice) and Vairagya (non-attachment) from Yoga Sutra 1.12 — effort balanced with surrender.

1. Centering
a. Gentle breath awareness, noticing what arises without judgement
b. Box breath
c. Nadi Suddhi
d. Affirmation
e. Om

2. Gentle Chair Asana
a. Neck & Shoulders
b. Wrists
c. Shoulder stretch
d. C/C
e. Arm extension to Int/Ex shoulder rotations
f. Bicep stretches
g. Straight legs/ankles rolls towel on floor hamstring stretch
h. Use strap for leg extensions, then side to side
i. Figure 4 to spinal twist
j. Breathe, center

3. Standing
a. MT
b. Yoga Breaths
c. Steeple fingers w/ side bends
d. FF

4. Standing w/Chair support
a. Tree
b. Chair pose to FF
c. Chair stretch
d. to Supported Child's pose with wide knees on folded blanket, w/ bolster and chair

5. Supine
a. Supported bridge pose with block/bolster
b. Gentle supine twists

6. Relaxation
a. Body scan emphasizing releasing holding patterns on exhale
b. Nadi Suddhi - 1:2 ratio exhalation if breath allows

7. Closing Reflection
a. Discuss Abhyasa and Vairagya: “What does it feel like to simply practice without needing to achieve?”
b. Final session - review

The client described feeling less fatigue and more motivation (5). His fatigue was interfering with carrying out certain duties (4); it was among his three most disabling symptoms (5); and found it interfering with family and social life (4) (based on Fatigue Severity Scale, 1 (disagree) - 7 ( agree).

I needed to write a script to help explain our topic:

As part of the reflection and Yoga study, I spoke to Abhyāsa meaning showing up again and again—with patience and kindness—no matter how small the step. Each time you bring awareness to your breath, soften your body, or rest your attention inward, you are practicing abhyāsa.

It’s not about perfection, but consistency. Even on days when the breath feels limited, returning to the practice—gently and steadily—builds strength, steadiness, and peace over time.

Vairāgya means non-attachment, letting go. Letting go of how things used to be… of needing every breath to feel a certain way… of frustration when the body doesn’t cooperate.

Vairāgya invites you to rest in acceptance, to loosen the grip on expectations, and to trust the moment as it is.
Together, abhyāsa and vairāgya allow you to engage fully in life while softening your resistance to it.

So today, we practice—just a little—knowing that your breath, your effort, and your presence are enough.

The client was open to listening and discussing letting go, and doing his homework. He showed an interest in practicing weekly with me. We verbally planned how he can continue on his own.

As a yoga therapist, I found myself deeply invested in this client’s journey after learning of his diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive condition with a prognosis of 2 to 5 years without a lung transplant. This knowledge heightened my awareness of the importance of offering practices that support his physical ease, emotional resilience, and sense of purpose during this time. I truly hope that he chooses to continue to practice gentle yoga. It is my intent to send him practices via email, including recording chair practices and breathing techniques.

I recognized the need to turn inward and work on myself in order to process the emotions that arose while supporting this client. Holding space for his experience required me to cultivate greater emotional resilience, self-awareness, and compassion so that I could remain grounded, present, and of true service.

No more planned sessions. I hope to send him practices via email, including recording chair practices and breathing techniques.