Each session will include each kosha while over the four sessions, each kosha will be honored individually while building toward a holistic experience.
Session 1: Body & Breath/Energy
Session 2: Posture, Strength, and Breath Awareness
Session 3: Mind/Emotions
Session 4: Wisdom + Bliss

We will address flexibility and body awareness by practicing seated stretches (Cat/Cow, hamstring stretch, side bends, gentle twists) to release stiffness and improve mobility. The client has never meditated though she said she'd 'give it a try'. I plan to begin with guided awareness of sensations — noticing areas of tension, relaxation, warmth, or coolness. She is not interested in the philosophy of yoga so during each session I'll remove the philosophical quotes and instead I'll introduce it in this manner, for example: Let's begin with the body. Through mindful movement, we nourish muscles, bones, and tissues, keeping the body flexible and cared for.

At the energetic level we'll practice chair postures such as seated knee lifts, forward reaches with breath, arm raises with inhale/exhale to address core strength and breath awareness. I'll introduce Dirga Swasam. The client noted that she never practiced breathing, nor has she focused on her breath. I hope to introduce how to observe the rhythm of the breath, imagining it energizing and balancing the body. Philosophy: In yoga the breath body is considered our vital energy. By linking movement with breath, we strengthen the body while fueling vitality.

To practice endurance, and the mindful awareness of thoughts, something she never practices, I'll present chair yoga postures such as a seated sun-breath flow, marching in place, supported forward folds — held a little longer to build patience. If she agrees to try meditation, I'll ask her to observer her thoughts as they arise during stillness, gently returning focus to the breath. The philosophy tie-in throughout: The mind-body layer, is where thoughts and emotions live. By practicing endurance and patience, we learn to watch the mind without judgment.

The client noted that she does relax but never experiences inner joy. The gentle integrative chair sequences and breathing are introduced at each session. I'll introduce body scans, taking her on a guided kosha journey — body → breath → mind → wisdom → bliss, then resting in stillness. Her philosophy tie-in will address the bliss body, too. It is not found outside, but within — a sense of inner peace and joy revealed when the other layers are cared for.” She described herself as neither religious nor spiritual. I will introduce spirituality by introducing a connection to nature. An intensive yoga practice may significantly increase specific aspects of practitioners' spirituality, mindfulness, and mood. (Büssing A, Hedtstück A, Khalsa SB, Ostermann T, Heusser P. Development of Specific Aspects of Spirituality during a 6-Month Intensive Yoga Practice. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:981523. doi: 10.1155/2012/981523. Epub 2012 Jul 18. PMID: 22852023; PMCID: PMC3407840.)

As we focus on self-awareness and inner clarity (she noted on the intake that she never focuses on living with introspection and purpose), we'll practice a gentle flow combining stretches with mindful pauses and introduce simple balancing (seated weight shifts, mindful foot lifts). If she's willing to stand and use the chair for support these could be done standing. At the last session, I'll ask her to reflect on “What did you learn about your body and mind This layer will be introduced as her possessing wisdom. "Using your wisdom recognize the patterns of the mind and practice making conscious choices.

"Of interests are additional analyses which indicate that R−S− (R−S− neither religious nor spiritual.) had a stronger increase of Conscious interactions and Religious orientation when compared to their R+S+ or R−S+ counterparts. This might suggest that because of their primarily low interest in spiritual issues and thus low practical experience, they seemed to benefit from the spiritual component of the yoga practice.

The results from this study suggest (1) that an intensive yoga practice may significantly increase specific aspects of practitioners' spirituality, mindfulness, and mood, (2) that these changes are dependent in part on their original spiritual/religious self-perception, and (3) that there are strong correlations amongst these constructs." Büssing A, Hedtstück A, Khalsa SB, Ostermann T, Heusser P. Development of Specific Aspects of Spirituality during a 6-Month Intensive Yoga Practice. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:981523. doi: 10.1155/2012/981523. Epub 2012 Jul 18. PMID: 22852023; PMCID: PMC3407840.

Spirituality, nature, and gardening intertwine beautifully for self-discovery, as gardening mirrors inner growth, teaching patience, interdependence, and cycles of life, while nature provides a grounding space to quiet the mind, reflect, and connect with one's authentic self beyond societal pressures. By tending to plants, you metaphorically tend to your soul, finding purpose, intuition, and a deeper, more connected existence, recognizing your inherent perfection and purpose.

The yoga therapy plan of care takes into consideration the MMP’s kyphosis, relevant contraindications, low muscle tone, lack of prior yoga experience, and limited engagement in exercise for several years. The approach is adapted to be gentle, accessible, and progressive. Given the client’s non-spiritual orientation, nature-based language is used as a means of connection to inner awareness, drawing on the client’s strong relationship with gardening to support engagement and meaning.

For MMP, due to the kyphosis, precautions will include avoiding deep or repeated spinal flexion, forceful extension, high-impact movements, and overhead arm loading without adequate support, as these can increase spinal strain. Long-held end-range postures and unsupported positions may also cause discomfort. I will emphasize a neutral spine awareness, gentle chest opening, prop support, and slow, breath-guided movement.

Greendale GA, Huang MH, Karlamangla AS, Seeger L, Crawford S. Yoga decreases kyphosis in senior women and men with adult-onset hyperkyphosis: results of a randomized controlled trial. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2009 Sep;57(9):1569-79. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02391.x. Epub 2009 Jul 21. PMID: 19682114; PMCID: PMC3700806.

Chen Q. Neurobiological and anti-aging benefits of yoga: A comprehensive review of recent advances in non-pharmacological therapy. Exp Gerontol. 2024 Oct 15;196:112550. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2024.112550. Epub 2024 Sep 2. PMID: 39173784.

Bhide SR, Bhargav H, Gangadhar BN, Desai G. Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Yoga Philosophy: A Perspective on the Need for Yoga-Based Counselling Program (YBCP) in Common Mental Disorders. Indian J Psychol Med. 2023 Jul;45(4):420-429. doi: 10.1177/02537176211051987. Epub 2021 Dec 15. PMID: 37483585; PMCID: PMC10357898.

None at this time.

• 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.