PVT & The Gunas - Client seeks an on-the-spot assessment tool to determine current state / experience when triggered, frozen, stressed, etc. Use Gunas & PVT to ID current state & then choose a beneficial practice to respond & return to balance in present moment. SOURCE: How the Mind Works, PPT. Mala Cunningham, PhD. 2021

When triggered / stressed, client will practice 3-part or Sitali breath technique to activate Vagus Nerve & return to Sattvic state. When stuck or anxious, client to intro movement w/ asanas on chair / mat for 10 min. She will journal her experiences for feedback & discussion. Practice 5 min of Pranayama 3x/day for stress reduction & mindfulness.

Client is a 57-y-o female in excellent health. Diagnosed w/ ADHD over 15 years ago. Comorbidity factor - Anxiety Disorder. Common ADHD medications were unsuccessful - side-effects, etc. As an avid yogini, she wants to use yogic practices and mindfulness techniques to support her through difficult moments and challenging situations so that she can respond rather than react to what’s in front of her.

I looked forward forward to working w/ this eager client, an avid yogini. In preparation for our 1st meeting - I sent her YouTube links re basics of PVT. I planned on reviewing the Gunas w/ her followed by a discussion re how they integrate w/ PVT.
I asked her to come prepared w/ a few situations that she faces regularly for applying these tools. Based upon that, we’d discuss possibilities for this ‘on-the-spot’ assessment tool to empower her to effectively choose an appropriate breathing practice. Doing so would enable her to choose a desired shift in experience. The goal: respond, rather than react, with awareness in the moment.
We discussed the steps. 1. Pause 2. Breathe 3. Reflect upon what’s going on & her experience 4. Choose a breathing practice to enable her to consciously address any situation. We then discussed a brief journal to reflect upon working w/ the Gunas & PVT.

Hatha - we focused primarily on Pranayama - breath connecting mind & body in the present moment - simply witnessing, being curious w/o judgement. We reviewed the Koshas & their progression from outer to inner states of being.We discussed how Pranayama connects the mind w/ the body so that she could respond to a given situation with a more grounded, whole-body awareness. By experimenting w/ different breath techniques, she was able to determine how each practice could change her experience in a given moment. Asanas were helpful in building a solid reference point for turning the awareness w/in & connecting the body & Sattvic state.
Jnana - self-reflection - Jnana was powerful & pragmatic. She was delighted to see that Jnana gave her a different context to consider - shifting her focus from the egoic self, going w/in & sensing a connection / shared experience w/ all sentient beings.

Primary challenge was keeping her focused on what we were working on and following up on action items for each session. We also discussed Ahimsa when she was caught off-guard -- reacting rather than responding. Santosha was another meaningful learning - knowing there are times when a Rajasic or Tamasic state are appropriate - how to realize acceptance while staying grounded, centered in challenging moments.

She marveled at the power of the breath and asked for more resources and books for further study.

I encouraged her to keep in touch and reach out for support. We talked about trusting her process and realizing that some days she'd fall short - that is, react rather than respond. I reassured her that everyone has those days. When she found herself there, to simply recommit.

Yes, I implemented the intended plan and believe this was a helpful experience for her -- one that she can build upon as she works with the Gunas and PVT. We agreed that the two are useful and powerful foundational teachings for her to use as reference points in her daily life.

The only adjustment made was incorporating Jnana Yoga into her plan. This augmented the mindful awareness that the PVT/Gunas assessment approach offered. I realized that by adding Jnana, she had a pragmatic reference point for cultivating her own Witness. I encouraged her to work with the Witness in a curious and playful manner - watch out for judgement and / or shaming - take a neutral stance and simply observe.
I was delighted to see that by 'dancing in the moment' with this client, being mindful of her goals and leaning into what she was saying, that I might be of help in expanding possibilities for her initial intentions.

I foresee myself taking a similar approach in the future. That is, after a thorough review of an intake assessment, to draft a care plan and be open to adjusting it as needed.
For example, when she talked about past instances of 'losing it' or being 'too quick to respond' to a situation, I saw the need to talk about her inner "Witness" and the possibilities that could offer her.
I was pleased to have a solid and attainable care plan for starters and to proceed in a flexible and receptive manner as we continued through the process.
I see this process as an unfolding relationship of co-discovery. That is, as the client reveals more and their awareness expands, my role is to adjust their plan, priorities and focus, as needed, to where they're at in the given moment as well as where that might be leading them. I'm to offer suggestions and ask questions to see what resonates with them and be careful not to push too much as to where I think they should go.