Evaluation of Client using the Pancamaya Model or Kosa Model and provide a plan utilizing that model.

The goal is to provide a plan for the client that addresses issues in the Kosa’s, while also addressing the primary chief complaint. The client will fill out form at beginning to assess where they are in general western terms but also in the Kosa’s. The client will be evaluated 2 weeks after being given a practice plan.

Female middle age, Hashimoto’s, sensitivity to certain foods.

I have given the client a 6 page intake based on western Naturopathic medicine and a one page addendum to evaluate her Kosa’s. As a yoga therapist we evaluate our clients in terms of western medicine, at least in a general sense, but we also evaluate our client’s in a yogic sense.

The Pancamaya model is from ancient yogic texts than we certainly base our knowledge in Raja yoga. When we use the Upanishad they are considered sruti-knowledge that was heard by the great seers of those ancient times.
Asana, Pranayama and Dharana. Depending on her intake we may include Yamas and or Niyamas, Jnana or Karma yoga.

Client and I met together for 60 min. She and I reviewed her intake and decided on some short term goals. Her original goals were to minimize stress effects in general however pain in her neck and shoulders-from gardening and prep work and dishes at her work had become acute. In addition after answering the questions, she has become aware that she holds her breath at times and would like to work with that as well.
Chair
neck and shoulder ROM warm ups.
For breath awareness she was shown and performed an adapted cat cow with Inhalation with mild extension and slow complete exhale with flexion, emphasizing the mid to upper back by bringing elbows together.
Smooth IN and EX Mantra IN I am EX Devine

Continue the practice 5-7 days a week, 5-15 min depending on her own time constraints. Add more breath information and time with pranayama.

I did apply the intended plan, however the neck issue was more intense at time of visit so I put more emphasis on her warm up than on her pranayama and tried to incorporate the movement with the breath awareness.
Eval: pre practice scales 1-10
Pain in neck 8 (10 most pain)
ROM ease 4-5 (10 Ease of ROM)
Has noticed herself holding breath m/b stress related or just unaware.
After 2 weeks (practicing 5 days a week)
Pain in neck 2-3
ROM ease 8
More aware of breath still working with her awareness of why and when she is holding breath.
Overall she feels less reactive and more calm for a time after her practice.

I had thought originally I would be looking at her intake extensively and evaluating her kosher model. In doing that, she is well balanced and has a variable but not overwhelming amount of stress. She deals with stress by gardening, doing art, cooking and hanging out with her family. So in the end it was interesting on the day we met she had acute neck and shoulder pain from work etc.

Yes
Research
Breath work works well for pain
Pain and respiration: a systematic review.
Jafari H, Courtois I, Van den Bergh O, Vlaeyen JWS, Van Diest I.
Pain. 2017 Jun;158(6):9
95-1006. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000865.
PMID: 28240995 Review.
In addition it has been shown in multiple studies that basic ROM exercises can improve pain.