• 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 made some adjustments to my yoga philosophy discussions based on questions from the group. I also made some adjustments to breathing practices based on feedback from the group and also from observances about practices that weren’t working as well as others. I wanted to give them a few options to try so that they could choose the breathing practice that gave them the best benefit.

All clients have indicated that they feel that they have progressed towards goals. I have witnessed them build community with each other. All have more natural relaxed breathing and more relaxed bodies than at intake. All appear less anxious and report the same. All are applying yogic tools as situations arise that would trigger stress.

All clients have reported a reduction in physical pain. All appear more relaxed physically with less tension observed in the body.

All appeared calmer by session 4 and were talking slower with more relaxed breathing and thoughts that were expressed clearer than in previous sessions.

All clients are experiencing professional stress from their jobs, but all appear more emotional balanced and self report the same. All are applying yogic tools like deep breathing in the moment as stressors arrive. Several are sensing into their feet in stressful moments to remain grounded.

One client, CF, reported that DIN really resonated with him and he’s applying it in practice daily. All clients report that they are ruminating less and are spending less time in deep thought about scenarios that occurred that day.

All clients are creating a daily sadhana practice. Two clients already see mental health professionals and two have asked me for referrals that I’ll provide to them before our next session. We have a few more sessions scheduled—I’ll see them for two more weeks from the date I’m submitting this report.

Clients have sent varying messages thanking me for the support and encouragement. CF is one of my members at my nonprofit and he has really been so engaging and talkative with this group. He’s expressed in the past that he feels like he can’t talk to people, but he’s come alive and asks everyone how they’re doing before we start each session. A thanked me for being so accepting and validating his stress and acknowledging all of the structures in society that are built to cause and uphold disturbances of the mind. CO, T, and P have all indicated that they feel like they can share anything with me and that I won’t judge them. T’s ability to cry was really powerful.

Increasing awareness of the body and loosening tension: Seated or standing star to modified turtle. Practice this at the beginning of the day for three or four rounds as a fluid movement, allowing the breath to guide the movement.

I would probably have found a way to space out the discussions a bit so that I didn’t have to cover so much in one or two sessions. I would have balanced being responsive to their questions more with ensuring we covered some topics at a slower pace.

I’d like to think about how I might wrap up with the group and what I should do in the last session. It would be helpful to think about a yoga philosophy practice or two that I might suggest to them to practice long-term like I have Bramachyara to two other clients.

Yes. This group really challenged me, but it was good.