Earth (Annamaya – Physical Layer): Ground the body through stabilizing postures, mindful movement, and sensory awareness to foster safety, steadiness, and a sense of belonging in the present moment.

Water (Pranamaya – Energy Layer): Flow through gentle breathwork and fluid movement to release held emotion, regulate energy, and invite a sense of ease and adaptability.

Fire (Manomaya – Mental/Emotional Layer): Ignite transformation through intention, mindfulness, and focused awareness—supporting emotional processing, healthy boundaries, and inner strength.

Ether (Anandamaya – Bliss Layer): Rest into stillness, silence, and connection with something greater—inviting peace, forgiveness, and the quiet remembrance of wholeness within.

Air (Vijnanamaya – Wisdom/Insight Layer): Cultivate spaciousness and perspective through reflective practices, meditation, and creative inquiry—opening the mind to compassion and self-understanding.

Ahimsa (Non-Harming) – Yoga Sutra II.35
“In the presence of one firmly established in non-violence, all hostility ceases.”
Ahimsa can be internalized as self-compassion—learning to stop harming oneself with guilt, shame, or harsh inner dialogue, supporting the group’s goal of forgiveness and emotional healing.

The Five Elements (Pancha Mahabhuta)
The elemental model offers an intuitive way for beginners to sense balance:
* Earth → grounding, safety
* Water → emotion, adaptability
* Fire → motivation, transformation
* Air → clarity, breath, expansion
* Ether → peace, spaciousness

These connect directly to regulating the nervous system and integrating emotion through embodied awareness.

Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender) – Yoga Sutra II.45
“Through surrender to a higher power, perfection in samadhi is attained.”

For those processing grief or feeling powerless, this concept offers a compassionate reminder that healing unfolds when we soften our grip and trust in something larger—whether nature, spirit, or life itself.

Effects of Yoga on Stress, Stress Adaption, and Heart Rate Variability Among Mental Health Professionals—A Randomized Controlled Trial
Shu-Ling Lin SW, MS, Ching-Ya Huang MS, Shau-Ping Shiu SW, MS, Shu-Hui Yeh RN, ANP, PhD
This study found that regular yoga practice significantly reduced stress levels, improved heart rate variability, and enhanced stress adaptation—indicating better balance within the nervous system. These findings directly support the group’s goals of learning tools to calm the body, manage emotional reactivity, and cultivate steadiness amid daily challenges.

Woodyard C. Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life. Int J Yoga. 2011 Jul;4(2):49-54. doi: 10.4103/0973-6131.85485. PMID: 22022122; PMCID: PMC3193654.
Woodyard’s research highlights how yoga promotes mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall well-being by integrating physical postures, breathwork, and mindfulness. This aligns with the group’s goals of reducing stress, processing grief, and fostering greater peace and self-awareness through embodied, holistic practice.

Looking forward to discussing and working on the care plan. Thank you.

• 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.