During physical assessment noticed slight hip flexion in walking - possibly tight psoas, as well as "tight" feeling client describes in right hip. Slight forward rounding of shoulders and forward head position. Very limited external rotation in R hip when seated/in hip flexion.

With the history of POP, would like to work with Cat and Cow, aided with a gentle resistance band for feedback of anterior and posterior pelvic tilt, as well as Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, also performed slowly concentrically and eccentrically with breath awareness. Would like to explore a chair or wall-supported version of the Embodied Lord's Prayer Surya Namaskar - slowly and mindfully with breath awareness, though probably not first or possibly second session. While I do want to encourage movement to strengthen the body, I do think it is important to include restorative yoga in each session. I do not believe the client has experienced anything like a practice of Shavasana or Yoga Nidra (mentioning it here, but equally vital for pranamaya and manomaya koshas). Thinking a restorative supported gentle backbend like Mountain Brook with the addition of as much support as possible for the secodary curves of the body/everywhere her body doesn't directly contact the mat?

Would also like to explore practices for sleep hygiene - look at the windows of time during the day through the lens of the doshas and help her create practices/a ritual to prepare for sleep each evening.

With her history of trauma I also believe TRE would be extremely beneficial to her. During intake she shared additional childhood trauma and sexual abuse not fully disclosed in written intake.

While the client described herself as having low energy on the intake, felt client's energy to be more rajasic during assessment. On breath assessment, noticed no reverse breathing or excessively shallow breathing, but no full diaphragmatic breathing.

Pranamaya practices: Breath awareness, moving to Dirga Swasam. Thinking Alternate Nostril Breathing would be a beneficial practice once she is comfortable with deep diaphragmatic breathing. Depending on how she responds to these and fluctuations with her energy, thought about introducing Breath of Joy to her in a later session?

Client states she has struggled with "allowing herself to feel," and did allow herself to express emotion during intake. The client has been focused on taking care of others since the age of 8, when parents divorced and she, as the only daughter, began taking care of the household. Self-care has been non-existent for her, and she has not allowed herself to rest. Advised her counselor diagnosed her with "revenge bedtime," where she will forego sleep in order to make time for herself - but even then her choices encouraged more rajas (screentime on devices, watching TV, late night eating...)

I think creating an evening practice to prepare for sleep will support health in manomaya koshas as well. Plan to educate her on the ANS - SNS and PNS activation, and ways to recognize when she is in “fight or flight,” and how she can use the tools of yoga to find the “rest and digest.”

In talking about some of her nutrition changes and trying to limit screen time, she stated she realized that she was “depriving herself… but no pain, no gain.” This made me think that introducing her to Pratipaksha Bhavana could be a great tool - what if she viewed these choices that she’s making for self-care not as deprivation but as choices that will nourish and restore her?

The client's faith is very important to her - she has a strong sangha of friends at her church, and would like to include raja yoga with support from Biblical scriptures. This has been a huge part of my personal sadhana, and the client admitted her hesitancy in pursuing yoga or yoga therapy up to this point has been concerns that it would run counter to her faith as a Follower of Christ.

I'm wondering if a puja would be a beneficial practice to help her continue to "let go" of attachments, and allow her to experience healing across all koshas?

The client has done extensive self-reflection and has regular sessions with a local counselor. She has recently made some positive lifestyle changes around nutrition, and is setting healthier boundaries for herself while being supportive of her daughter, who is in the middle of a divorce. The client described herself as having motivation, and seems very willing to engage in sessions and follow through with homework practices. The client has already identified tendencies of raga - being in recovery almost 3 years, and understanding the impact of her family of origin's dynamics on many of her life choices. Client also realizes how present avidya has been - in not being connected to her emotions, or really deeper koshas beneath anamaya (perhaps there has been some dvesha at times from feeling pain in other koshas?)

Wondering about introducing Sutra 1.33 (Locks and Keys) as a tool she can use to relate first and foremost to herself - offering more compassion to her past pain, as well as more friendliness and admiration towards allowing herself to feel emotions and recognizing her own strength and resilience?

Sutra 1.33

Sutras 2.33-34

Pelvic Yoga Therapy For the Whole Woman: A Professional Guide - Cheri Dostal Ryba

resources on seasonal eating and dosha predominance during a 24-hour day from Basics of Ayurveda module

Not so much a question, but thoughts. I'm excited to work with a client with absolutely no previous yoga experience, and really no knowledge of yoga whatsoever. Also want to make sure I start this journey slowly and deliberately with her as even working with me is an initial step in making self-care and healing a priority.

• 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.