Entry TypeAssessment
Client/GroupVFM
Entry CategoryCase Study
Select your mentorSarala Evans
Intake
Assessment
Proposed number of sessions4
Location of sessionsYoga studio in Montgomey, Ohio
Planned time per sessionfirst 30 min, 2,3,4: 90 min
Presenting ProblemStress, anxiety and trauma
Physical

She doesn't exercise much, just when she teaches a yoga class which is not regular. Her personal practice has "suffered in the past year" She likes to walk but didn't do it much during winter. General health is good. I noticed that although she is full-figured she has very good mobility and flexibility.

Client/Group goalsRegain connection to Self and restore mental health
Energetic

She has very little energy, yarning even during Sun Salutations, speaking slowly, and taking time to answer questions. She is in a tamasic state. She said cold is very hard on her, this and her depression could justify a vata mind.

Emotional

She cried during the session. She is depressed, and feeling without support. She feels tired and lethargic. Her very high level of stress probably took her to a lethargic state. From Rajas to Tamas.

Spiritual orientation and needs

She is searching for a spiritual path. She knows she is on earth to learn and teach and create conscious community.

Intellectual / Sense of self

She likes to read about everything and talk to interesting people who can add something to her life. She likes to be part of a sangha.

Yoga philosophy/wisdom research reference(s)

The client's goal is to regain connection to Self and restore mental health. The concept of swadhyaya will help her to connect to her higher Self.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra says: “Study thy self, discover the divine” II.44 Svadhyaya
I sent to her this website:

The Niyamas – Svadhyaya or self-study


Another Philosophical concept we will explore is dharma and swadharma to understand how she can act in this world.
After knowing who she is with the practice of swadhyaya, she will be ready to know how she can serve the world. This can be a very healthy way to leave the tamasic state.
Dharma
"Better is one’s swadharma, though deficient, than the swadharma of another well-performed. Better is death in one’s own swadharma." (Bhagavad Gita 3:35).

Swadharma

<iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" title="“Swadharma” — Original Christianity and Original Yoga" src="https://ocoy.org/dharma-for-christians/bhagavad-gita-for-aw

Scientific research reference(s), why chosen, how you plan to incorporate 1-3

I accessed some websites about carbon monoxide poisoning to learn more and serve better the client. Here is one:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/carbon-monoxide/symptoms-causes/syc-20370642

To help her with migraines:

New Study On The Benefits of Yoga for Migraine

About longer exhalations and the vagus nerve:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201905/longer-exhalations-are-easy-way-hack-your-vagus-nerve

About journaling:
https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-health-benefits-of-journaling

SA TA NA MA article and how it can help the brain and how to practice:
Practice the 12-Minute Yoga Meditation Exercise - Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation (alzheimersprevention.org)

No contraindications.

Approval Notice
Your care plan should be approved by your mentor, with any amendments they suggested, prior to your remaining Yoga Therapy sessions.
Questions for Mentor

I contacted the mentor for questions before. No more questions here. Thank you!

Care PlanOutline should be a practice adapted to the needs of that client/group, including:
  • Check in, centering, balanced hatha yoga set considering contraindications, relaxation (with imagery as appropriate),
  • balanced pranayama considering contraindications, meditation/centering.
  • Please include at least one suggestion from Karma, Bhakti, Raja, or Jnana Yoga tailored for this client/group.
  • Over time, we want to see something from each branch, selected, adapted and re-framed appropriately. Tools from each module should be used (not on each client/group – but overall)
The outline should show the sequence of practices as you plan to offer them.
Your care plan proposal should be approved by the mentor before session 2 if possible, or 3 if approval is delayed by mentor.
Session
Session Instructions (Not Mentoring)Your session outline should be a practice adapted to the needs of that client, including:
  • 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.
Over time, we want to see something from each branch, selected, adapted and re-framed appropriately.
Tools from each module should be used (not on each client – but overall)
Final Client/Group ReportAfter seeing your client/group (for at least 4 sessions including interactive intake)
Please remember practicum is a learning experience. You’ll learn more from sharing what’s accurate than from what might “look good”. Things you did well, not so well, problems and questions are all valid and useful tools to teach you. We can’t serve you to become the best clinician you can be if you don’t share your challenges and mistakes. Success is anything from which you learn. You can continue to add Session entries after submitting this Final Client/Group Report.
Report briefly on each Kosha belowProgress toward wellness or worsening reported by the client/group or that you observed in the following areas
Additional Information
Personal reflection from doing client/group.
Notify Mentor?Do not notify Mentor (choose if you wish to continue working on this entry later)