• 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.

Encourage time in nature.
Sample from 04/22/2024
Pavamana mantra. Om Asatoma. Brief explanation from Yogapedia:
https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/11040/pavamana-mantra The translation I learned is:
Om, lead me from the unreal to the real,
Lead me from the darkness to the light,
Lead me from the fear of death to knowledge of immortality.
Deva Premal, The Essence album, 2:23 minutes.
https://open.spotify.com/track/44Yog1vumSJzv5Q1kKjTtm?si=5ba24ad462c844f0
Downward Facing Dog and Plank at the Wall. To lengthen spine and strengthen core. Light on hands.
QL (quadratus lumborum) neutralizer.
We did not lift both lower legs as shown to focus on each side separately. Can try raising both.
Inhale, lift. Exhale, lower.
Crocodile.
We also used a double rolled blanket under upper chest with elbows on the mat and hands supporting the forehead.
Windshield wiper legs.
Start with feel on the mat. Exhale lower the legs down to one side. Inhale, lift. Exhale, lower to the other side. Keep lowering and lifting the legs with the breath for five to 10 rounds. Possibly exhale out of the mouth with an audible sigh.
For low back strengthening and SI (sacroiliac) joint stability.
We combined the strap and block. If comfortable, place hands on pelvis, fingertips facing midline for greater sensory awareness. Exhale, press thighs into the block. Inhale, press thighs out onto outsides of strap. Please be gentle with the muscular contractions. You can practice this for a minute or two if it feels right.

Drawbridge and leg shakes. Drawbridge. Hold bent knee side to stabilize, bring other leg to vertical. Exhale, flex foot, keep lengthening the leg and lower leg. Inhale, soften through the ankle, lift. 4-5X. Last time, lower leg all way to floor and take a few breaths. Repeat other side. Both feet on floor, or extended. Pause to notice and rest.
Leg shakes to strengthen legs and release tension in hips and low back. Keep one foot on floor, raise other leg to a comfortable height and shake the raised leg. Could try shaking with smaller and larger movements. Lower leg. Rest. Repeat other side. Pause to notice.
Radiance Sutras, Verse 41. Lorin Roche translation.
Breathing is the flow of the divine,
Where the rhythms of life turn into each other –
The eternal exchange.

Pour one breath into the other,
Outbreath into the inbreath
Into the outbreath.

Awaken to equanimity,
At peace in the play of opposites.

Session 1, Intake. Session 2. Client had experienced intense lower back pain over the weekend before we met on Monday. We skipped asymmetrical standing shapes. Practiced downward facing dog at the wall to lengthen the spine. Went to the floor for some abdominal strengthening.

As we were transitioning to the floor for some lower abdominal strengthening practices, the client revealed to me that she does not have any sensation in the pelvic area around where she had the emergency C section. We worked very gently in this area with her hands on the hip points as she exhaled and drew the hip points toward each other. The client enjoyed svadisthana mudra, placing one hand on the low belly/pelvis with the other arm out to the side. She found this engaging and soothing, without causing any emotional stress. This sharing was impactful for the client, allowing her to access this area of her body in a safe, comforting manner.

It was encouraging that the client felt she could share an intimate relationship with her body, showing trust in me. I was led by compassion and loving kindness for her and the processing of trauma and grief she is working through. Keep in mind motivational interviewing techniques for follow-up sessions.

Revisit practices from the most recent session, include a guided relaxation with the element of water, the element associated with the 2nd chakra, savdisthana. Include some uplifting practices from the care plan, eg. breath of joy.