• 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.

First session. During check-in client mentioned she had just come from a Warm Tabata and Abs class (60 min class conducted in a humid 90 degree room, timed HIIT intervals,) and was feeling fatigued in the lower body. Over the week she had also taken three yoga classes and practiced breath awareness throughout her day - she mentioned specifically bringing her awareness to her breathing while she was driving, and found the practice very calming. She also had three meditation practices, one of which was a walking meditation with Mella. She described her other meditation practices as taking 5-10 minutes to go outside, ground herself, and consciously let go of things, as well as saying a prayer. I celebrated these practices with her and encouraged her to continue with them. She shared that she has a hard time taking a day and not doing anything - she feels a need to be "productive," and when I asked her if she has a hard time giving herself a rest day, she replied yes.

The client also shared the spinal x-rays from her chiropractor, which appear to indicate a triple curve (I will attempt to attach them to the notes for review.) She was also excited with her continued weight gain. At the time of her miscarriage she weighed 118 lbs; when she submitted her completed intake she weighed 121 lbs; today she reported weighing 129 lbs. I had not been aware of her concern with her weight.

I guided the client through an Awareness practice. With the fatigue from her earlier class I decided to offer some longer-held supine postures, encouraging her to keep her breathing comfortable and notice the sensations present with each pose. She practiced Supta Padangusthasana using a yoga strap, then adding abduction at the supported hip, followed by Supta Kapotasana and Supta Matsyendrasana. During Supta Padangusthasana I observed considerable shaking in the left thigh, more so than when performed on the right side, and asked what she was feeling in the leg. She felt more tension in the quadriceps than in the hamstrings. I encouraged her to see where she could soften in the pose, and she reduced the degree of hip flexion, added a little more knee flexion, and released tension in her grip on the strap as well as through the upper trapezius muscles.

Next I guided her through a Shavasana practice with a focus on bringing awareness to each of the senses, and then withdrawing and relaxing that sense. After the practice she reported feeling "lighter and at peace" in her entire body, also reporting a reduction in both lower body fatigue and tension.

For homework I encouraged her to continue her walking meditation practice, as well as other meditations. I also suggested she explore additional moments of breath awareness - specifically when she's feeling the energy slump and might reach for a cookie or Reese's cup. To begin discussing the sutras, I shared an excerpt from Rev. Jaganath Carrera's Inside the Yoga Sutras (via Integral Yoga Magazine) for her to read on sutras 1.1 and 1.2.

Note: I did not see the feedback on the notes from last session until after we met. I included gentle massage with the tennis ball with her homework. I will incorporate the notes into my session plan for next week and email that prior to next Monday's scheduled session.

Session previously approved in old platform