Client is Tamasic, somewhat cagey and charming at times. He's had several bouts of COVID-19. Diagnosed with Long-COVID in 2023. He recently started walking again and intends to turn that into a daily practice. He's concerned about his lack of 'muscle tone and stamina'. Wants to bring movement / yoga back into his life.

Tamasic energy is due in part to Long COVID and a possible a low-grade depression - a comorbidity? He was recently laid off from a high-stress finance job, which has left him without a daily structure. Says his energy level is best in late morning. By mid-afternoon he takes a 1- to 2-hour nap. Client states his sleep is good, probably too good - average of 8 to 9 hours per night plus one or two naps.

Emotionally flat. Puts up a chipper front, yet there's a sense of avoidance and disconnection. He seems hopeful about the future at times - almost glib - yet no clear goals as yet. We joked about setting a goal to set goals.

Client is agnostic. Didn't offer any sense of a greater force or universal presence. He definitely needs Sangha / connection. I suggested he try out a few classes at IYI-SF, as he lives within walking distance. Said he'd consider it.

At times he seems quite centered and confident and others distracted and evasive. He's obviously intelligent and engaging. I sense he's feeling lost without his job and who he is without his work. Said several times he needs structure, which is a healthy sign that presents an opportunity to consider his True Nature - not his job, possessions... the cultural markers of success.

Svadhyaya- “We suffer, the yogis tell us, because we forget who we are. We think we are the boxes we are wrapped in and forget that we are really the Divine “hiding” inside. Svadhyaya, or self-study, is about knowing our true identity as Divine and understanding the boxes we are wrapped in. We can find clues about our boxes by watching our projections, by the process of tracing our reactions back to a belief, and by courageously looking at life as it is. This process of knowing ourselves, and the boxes that adorn us, creates a pathway to freedom. The ability to shift our identification from our ego self (our “boxes”), to the witness, and finally to our true identity as Divinity itself, is the joy of this jewel of self-study.”

The Yamas & Niyamas -- Deborah Adele

I believe that Svadhyaya is an important teaching for him to consider right now, as he seems to be stuck in a Tamasic state. I also sense he's struggling with his recent lay-off, finding himself in the unknown and possibly experiencing a loss of identity. This is, who am I without this prestigious role?

'Post-COVID-19 Condition' also known as Long-COVID is a new diagnosis, which has made a significant impact worldwide since the onset of COVID-19 in 2020. To date, there is limited research relative to the benefits of Yoga and mindfulness practices for mitigating and reversing symptoms. However, initial research findings offer promising results that Yoga may indeed provide an array of benefits to patients' specific symptoms and overall well-being.

A number of studies, including the one cited below are finding specific benefits with Yoga practices including Asana, Breathing Practices and Meditation / Mindfulness Practices. These benefits include a stress and anxiety relief, strengthening the immune system, a reduction in inflammatory markers and 'various cardioprotective effects'.

Yoga for COVID-19: An Ancient Practice for a New Condition - February 2023
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice -
DC Santos, Sonia Jaconiano, Sofia Macedo, Filipa Ribeiro, et. al.
Scienc
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1744388122001852

With this in mind, I will present client with a series of basic asanas to re-introduce movement and support the Annamaya Kosha, 3-Part Breath and Brahmari for stress relief and to bolster physiological functioning, meditation to support neuroplasticity, mindfulness and overall well-being.

• 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.