• 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.

Practice: awareness practice - seeing what you notice at the levels of the physical body, the emotions, the thoughts, your energy, and your breath

Practice: morning walking meditation in silence

Practice: Surya Namaskar - Embodied Lord's Prayer - wall supported. Make sure to pause, and inhale before speaking the phrase on exhale

Continue: Dirga Swasam - see what you observe in your body, mind and emotions as you follow the breath.

Check In

Awareness Practice

Dirga Swasam

Surya Namaskar - Embodied Lord's Prayer - wall supported practice

Shavasana

Client appeared much more sattvic upon arrival - energized yet calm. She had a relaxed smile on her face. Her sleep has improved - previously she might sleep "well" 1-2 nights/week. Several nights this week she has slept 10 hours, choosing to go to bed earlier without watching TV or observing any screen time. She has woken feeling rested and refreshed. Client has also been intentional about drinking more water - she actually wrote a phrase on her water bottle I had suggested to her: slow down, take a sip. She was smiling as she shared that she has been "chasing after a desire to love myself." When tempted to watch TV late at night, she told herself, "I'm not missing anything," and "This is good for me." She stated earlier today she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and gave herself a "look of love." She has had an eventful week - yesterday having an appointment with her counselor, meeting with a friend from church, and attending an AA meeting. Prior to our appointment she had received a 60-minute massage.

Client had been practicing Dirga Swasam, exploring the practice in various situations and at various times (example: in her car, before bed). She admitted having a "weird" thought: "Well, I'm not sure this will do me any good." I encouraged her that it's ok to have questions about a new practice, and I shared a little about the mechanics/biology of breathing - how our emotions and thoughts can influence the breath, and likewise how working with the breath can influence our mind and emotions.

Client shared she has been concerned/worried about her daughter's upcoming court date (June 6) for custody proceedings.

Guided her through an awareness practice, which she chose to experience supine. After the practice she reported feeling tension initially in her low back and hips, which subsided as she continued the practice. She described feeling a "calm peace," and stated one direction I had given had been particularly meaningful to her - to "give whatever emotions are present space." I shared with her Rumi's Guest House, which she found encouraging.

I shared your (Brahmi's) written explanation of Prayer and Yoga, and guided her through Surya Namaskar at the wall using the Embodied Lord's Prayer. She was so excited to move through the prayer, and was energized by connecting movement with breath with prayer. As she had mentioned going to court with her daughter and being concerned, I shared she could still embody prayer, silently, while sitting in the courtroom - looking up at moments where she wanted to acknowledge God, imagining she was standing and raising her arms and gaze; silently bowing her head to ask for guidance and provision, imaging she was folding forward at the wall in humility and dependence. (I hope that makes sense).

The client mentioned wanting to spend time connecting with God in the mornings, and also mentioned how when she was a counselor at a local treatment facility, she would encourage clients to go for a silent walk outside, taking in nature, and then reflecting on the experience. I encouraged her to try this for herself in the morning, using the walk as a moving meditation. She stated she has always felt more connected to God through nature, and would like to try this for herself.

Check in took longer than usual, but the client was excited to share some of the positive practices she has been implementing and the benefits she is already experiencing. Still want to move forward slowly with practices, but felt the client was in a good place to explore a little movement. I felt the Embodied Lord's Prayer at the wall was an appropriate challenge for the client without pushing too far.

Client is going on vacation after court, so our next session will not be until June 21. I encouraged the client to check in with me after the June 6 court date to report how she's doing. Based on what she chooses to share I will plan the next session.