• 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.

DD was assigned a brief daily practice of strap-supported shoulder movement (3–5 minutes), extended exhale breathing once per day, and a journaling reflection focused on identifying what she may be holding that is no longer hers to carry, as well as using the journal prompts, "What does my shoulder need?" and "What is my shoulder telling me?"

The session built upon foundational grounding and breathwork before introducing strap-supported shoulder exploration and wall-assisted yogic shoulder stretches. Movements were paired with extended exhalation to support nervous system regulation. Supine breath-led arm arcs were used to encourage fluidity and trust in movement. A short guided inquiry invited awareness of emotional holding within the shoulders, followed by a supported forward fold to promote softening.

DD demonstrated increased body awareness and was able to move with slightly more ease compared to the previous session. She verbalized insight into how emotional stress and responsibility show up physically in her shoulders and upper body. Anxiety was still present but appeared less reactive during breath-led movement.

During this session, I focused on balancing gentle, breath-led movement with inquiry-based awareness, allowing space for both physical exploration and emotional noticing without pressure to resolve or fix anything. I paid close attention to signs of physical guarding or emotional activation, such as changes in breath, muscle tone, or verbal cues, and adjusted the pacing and intensity of practices as needed to maintain a sense of safety and regulation. The yogic, breath-centered approach to shoulder exploration felt appropriate and was well tolerated, supporting ease rather than effort. As emotional themes surfaced, I was mindful to stay curious rather than interpretive, offering open-ended reflections instead of analysis. Moving forward, I will continue to support this exploratory process by creating space for insight to arise organically, without steering the client toward specific conclusions or narratives.

The following session will deepen nervous system regulation practices while introducing supportive techniques for emotional processing, particularly grief and relational stress. Movement will continue to be breath-led and contained, with an emphasis on maintaining safety within the client’s window of tolerance. Heart-centered restorative postures may be introduced to support emotional softening. Time will be allocated to explore how relational stress and over-functioning patterns impact DD’s physical tension and energy levels, while maintaining clear therapeutic boundaries.