• 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.

Select two practices from today’s session and practice them regularly until we meet again. Client chose feathering touch and holding kurma nadi while practicing cosmic orbit meditation. Record when practiced and effects of them.

Check-in, center, ground. Seated. Awareness practice. Sufi circles. Seated spinal warm-up: cow/cat, lateral bends, rotation with hands at heart center. Head, neck, lower body joint freeing series. Standing. Leg swings. Ha breath kriya. The pull down movement is fine for her shoulders, the pulling in movement is not. Explore other gestures to go along with the breath pattern. Tried Warrior I with shortened stance as stretch for hip flexors. It is not a sustainable stance for the client, uncomfortable and causes strain. Moving meditation with hand gestures. Seated. Extended exhale breath while holding kurma nadi to calm and center. Cosmic orbit meditation leading into chakra vowel sound repetition guided relaxation. Closing. Feedback. Scheduled next two sessions.

The client has had a challenging week thus far, related to family dynamics added to the rest of her responsibilities. I am finding some movements that are tolerable for them. Interestingly they find seated figure 4 legs and standing quad stretches give a welcome stretch and release muscular tension. They are reticent to move the upper body much, understandably so due to past injuries and medical history. Joint freeing series is enjoyable to them. Lying down on the floor in a supine position is not tolerable for this client.

When the client finds a stance uncomfortable, like the Warrior I from today, inquire a bit more to understand the discomfort. Dig deeper without causing aggravation. Client liked feathering touch/gently brushing away tension across the shoulders after self-massage in the area. They look forward to our sessions to destress. They find the sessions “very helpful,” and calming; restoring their energy to greet the rest of her day/evening.

Along with the awareness practice, stretching, joint mobility, and breath practices, incorporate some lower core strengthening with the breath to support the low back area. Maybe chair pose at the wall with muscular engagement. Mantra repetition, so hum and/or discuss mantras with client. They may have one they’d like to incorporate in the sessions.