• 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.

I had to adjust a lot based on what I originally planned based on what came up in discussion related to attachments. I had planned to offer the Yamas and Niyamas after Locks and Keys, but pivoted to be responsive to the clients. I also have had to adjust when someone misses a session and I offered a separate individual session to K in response to her needs.

All clients have reported a decrease in physical pain. Two clients have reported a reduction in anxiety and stress. All clients have visible presentations in sessions of reduced anxiety.

All clients are experiencing less physical pain and it’s obvious during our asana practice and when they are sitting and walking.

All three clients have reduced rajasic energy, which was very obvious in our first two sessions. One client (K) has swung a little bit into too much tamasic energy, which we worked on balancing in our individual session.

All three clients have experienced awareness of the emotions and have experienced this differently. While T has become more emotionally balanced and quickly, L struggled initially with this shift but was more self-accepting in our last session. K has found the awareness to be hard to manage, which we worked on in our individual session and will likely do a second individual session.

All clients have had positive shifts related to recognizing that they had a false view of self. While L & K were initially fixated on wanting to know the root cause of why they had self-ignorance, through our sessions they’ve come to understand that this is normal occurrence and that through practice we can control the Kleshas.

All three clients have received spiritual support. K & T are engaged in biblical study and L has found a spiritual connection with nature that is balancing for her.

All clients have indicated that they appreciate the space that I have created for them to share transparently. L said that I challenge her to think differently and normally she would reject the challenge, but that my approach makes it feel like I’m not pushing her but offering alternatives. All three have said their families notice the difference in them since our sessions began.

Practice awareness of the emotions: Write down emotions as they show up each day and notice if anything shifts when you apply the locks and keys to self, or if you use a yoga tool like deep breathing. Make note of that and we’ll discuss in our next session.

I went over the first three Sutras in our intake session, but I would have liked to have found a better way to emphasize the importance of regular practice without ceasing and with all earnest.

I’d like to know what you think about my yoga philosophy discussion that I have planned for the next session: We will discuss observations of emotions and application of locks and keys and tools when those showed up. I will share Yoga Sutras 2.33, 2.34, and 2.35. These are focused on pratipaksha bahavana and the importance of a firmly established ahimsa practice and will help the clients focus on what they do with the thoughts as they arise and why it’s important to practice ahimsa.

What other yoga poses should I do with them?

Yes.