• 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.

Homework was to continue exploring the asanas, with more awareness to the breath. Try practicing each asana with Ujjayi breath and see what she finds: how does the breath change the experience of the asana? How does the asana influence the breath? Continue those practices with an attitude of playful curiousity, noticing without judgement.

I encouraged her to continue her meditation practice, which seems well-established and yet flexible enough to meet the demands placed on her each day. I also enouraged her to continue exploring Pratipaksha Bhavana when she notices herself feeling anxious or disturbed in any way. What does she notice in terms of shifts in her anamaya and manomaya koshas with the practice?

The session began with a check-in, with the client reporting that while her mother-in-law's health continued to decline, she was continuing to manage the physical, energetic, emotional and mental demands well. She shared that her meditation practice had gone "well" this week, and she had particularly enjoyed a guided meditation that she had found on YouTube, "Meditation and Movement," which used the image of a tree to connect with growth - "where you were versus where you are." She finds her morning meditation practice to help her feel grounded - and I encouraged her to continue with it.

I guided her through the awareness practice, where she again chose a supine posture, and afterwards shared that she felt that she was "sensing my body better." When her attention was focused on her energy level, she noticed her energy "feeling heavy...like after a meal." She also shared that she felt her body was "asking for exercise," and she has been paying attention to her movement choices during the week more. Whether taking a walk outside or performing some of her exercises, she is mindful not to "push too hard," which I celebrated with her as a great learning.

For our Raja Yoga practice I shared with her sutras 2.33-2.34, Pratipaksha Bhavana, and gave her a copy of Rev. Jaganath Carrera's article from Integral Yoga Magazine so that she could revisit it during the week. With her background in the Christian faith I shared how Pratipaksha Bhavana mirrors the encouragement found in Philippians 4:6-8.

For our pranayama practice we explored Ujjayi breath, also known as "ocean breath" or "victory breath." I offered the suggestion that she could practice Ujjayi anytime she felt anxious, as a way to take victory over the anxiety by calming her mind and body through her breath.

For our asana practice we revisited Vrikshasana, Garudasana, and Utthita Tadasana, whcih she had continued to practice during the week. With Virabhadrasana II we explored flowing between Utthita Parshvakonasana and Surya Virabhadrasana as she reached for the healing rays of the sun.

The client was engaged, curious, and willing to explore each practice with enthusiasm. She had incorporated last week's asanas into her movement over the week, and was eager to continue in the upcoming week with what we practiced today.

I felt that what we accomplished during the session was an appropriate amount of content without being too much. I still feel like I am finding my ease and confidence as a yoga therapist, reminding myself that I am here to offer practices and support the client, without attachment to how the client chooses to incorporate them into their life - or not.

We're tentatively planning to meet again on 29 January 2024, but the client is uncertain of her future schedule with her mother-in-law's decline.