• 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.

For MS -C002. Home practice after Intake session on Thursday, 03/28/2024.
• Seated cobra, could try at the wall if you would like.
Focus on elbows down, sternum forward, ease at back of neck. Engage muscles at top of shoulder blades and between shoulder blades.
• Activate muscles on either side of shoulder joint. Co-contraction. Imagine drawing arms away and pulling them inward at the same time.
Seated rather than standing to focus awareness on shoulder area.
• Humming breath. Try this breathing technique to cultivate calm. It’s a easeful way to settle before meditation.
• Cosmic orbit meditation.
Imagine healing light (your color choice, or white or blue light) traveling up the back to of the spine from tail bone to crown on the inhale. On the exhale, imagine the healing light traveling from the crown through center of the brain and down the front of the spine. Continue moving awareness with the breath.
May choose to add a mantra: so hum, inhaling peace/exhaling calm, or any qualities you would like to cultivate.

Rotator cuff muscle strengthening, JAPA, seated cobra, explored sun salutation variation using chair back so client could participate in this type of movement in he group yoga class, dynamic standing balance, diaphragmatic, ujjai and bhramari breathing, cyclic sighing, cosmic orbit meditation, awareness practice, writing meditation and reflection, guided relaxation.

Physically client’s shoulder pain was minimal by the end of our 4th session together. When practicing Brahmari breathing the client calmed, enjoying the engaging vibratory sounds. Emotionally, the client began to share stories of her husband’s passing and the grief she holds onto related to the death of her husband. She made some associations between some of her lower abdominal and pelvic pain with processing grief, or rather, resisting self-inquiry about her loss and grief. She opened up to me about family dynamic shifts after her husband’s death and her concerns about infringing on the lives of her son and daughter-in-law. Through the reflective writing meditation process, the client realized that she is holding onto her husband through her grief. She said, “It feels as though if I let go of my grief, I am letting go of XXXX.” (husband’s name) She was not ready to explore this realization further at this time. In our fourth session the client shared that she is returning to writing poetry, focusing on letting go, moving toward greater peace.

For a writing self-reflection, start with a topic that is comfortable to touch upon, then work up to topics that are more sensitive. Balance movement with talking and listening more equally. Could practice bringing the peace of the natural setting in which the client lives into her heart space, sensing the peace within.

No further sessions are scheduled with this client at this time.