We will begin with a verbal and visual assessment of balance, fear of falling and any other concerns she would like addressed. Then we will discuss the goals and plan to meet them.
The 60-minute plan includes: 5 min centering, 5 min of breathing with arm movements, 5 min of eye movements, 10 min of joint freeing, 10 min of standing postures, 10 min deep relaxation with visualization, 5 min meditation with affirmation, 5 min feedback and homework assignment.
My plan is to transition into the practice with breath awareness for focused attention. An energetic breathing practice with synchronized arm movements will stimulate the client’s sympathetic nervous system and allow her to energize the entire body. Eye movements strengthen the eye muscles and improve the vestibular system, which will help with balance. Physically inactive for months, joint freeing may decrease muscle tightness and maintain full range of motion. The standing sequence will strengthen hip, gluteal and core muscles and allow the client to improve her mobility, strength and stability. I want to encourage awareness of the movement and position of the body and the emotions throughout. I want to conclude the session with a deep relaxation with guided imagery to stimulate the client’s relaxation response which will help to her to reduce anxiety and improve her sense of well-being. Visualizing how it would feel if parts of the body that seem weak and unstable are strong and stable may enhance the client’s power of the mind and will encourage her to build health in a positive way. I’d like to conclude with a brief meditation with an affirmation to inspire the client to develop positive thought patterns to build up her natural immunity and health. At the end of the session, I will ask the client for feedback and encourage her to pick a practice she would be willing to explore and practice on a daily basis

I will use traditional Integral Hatha Yoga as a foundation and adapt it for a gentle chair yoga and/ or chair-assisted yoga practice, depending on the client’s needs. I will also be offering a reframed teaching from Raja Yoga to cultivate self-compassion. (“I am strong, balanced and gentle with myself.”) I hope that the client will be kind and supportive of herself whenever she experiences challenges and setbacks to motivate her towards health and healing.

During the check in at the beginning of the first zoom session, the client reported that her energy level was “low” and that it felt as if she were “not in her body.” She said that she tripped over the steps in front of her house and felt anxious about “not knowing what to expect in the future.” She said that her left leg was still “bothering” her and that she would like to work on balance and confidence. The client appeared unfocused and down, with her upper body hunched over while seated on the floor. When invited to begin the session, she appeared energized and got into her chair without effort.
After a centering practice with guided body scan, we proceeded with an energetic breathing practice with synchronized arm movements. During the slow-motion hip hinge forward while moving the arms back, the client appeared unstable. I interrupted the practice and asked her to move further back in the chair, which worked much better. This was a slightly unsettling moment since the client could have potentially fallen out of the chair. The eye movements were followed by joint freeing movements. The standing series, focused on balance and strength and the client explored the movement of her body with great curiosity, at times holding onto the chair for balance, and experimenting with various leg and arm positions. The client returned to the chair for a deep relaxation with visualization and a final brief meditation after which she appeared calm and focused.
At the end of the practice the client shared that she was able to imagine herself walking up and down a mountain during the guided visualization and that the positive affirmation during meditation made her feel “hopeful.” She expressed that she would like to include more movement in the next session.
At the beginning of the second session, the client reported that she had practiced standing warrior (with knee to chair) and that her body felt “stronger already.” She also said that she had practiced moving her eyes from side to side in the figure 8 and that it felt “calming.” The second session included adaptive pranayama with arm movements, a series of seated and standing sun salutation standing poses, standing poses for balance and strength, breath awareness with positive affirmations, and a meditation using a flower as a focus.

I encouraged the client to pick one or two of her favorite elements of the practice and she picked the positive affirmation and the warrior I with knee to chair for her home practice.

Yes, I applied the intended plan and achieved my goal. The client explored how to adapt postures to her body to build strength, to improve balance and gain confidence, using a chair, seated or standing.

Yes. At the beginning of the session, the client said that she felt detached from her body. I extended the time allotted for the centering and transitioned from breath awareness to a full body scan to allow her to tune into her body. I learned that I would need to have more of a cushion in any future lesson plan to allow me to address new or unexpected issues if needed. In the middle of the breathing practice, the client appeared unstable in her chair. I had her stop the practice and readjust her sitting postures. I learnt that I need to ensure that practitioners are seated near the back in their chairs during breathing practices with arm movements.

I think I handled both situations well, probably because I am used to adapting to a variety of student needs in my role as a yoga teacher at a local gym. It was an overall positive experience, and I would approach both situations the same way again. I am glad I sensed and responded to the client’s unease with her body and provided space to allow her to change her physical and mental state. Interrupting the breathing practice to have my client readjust her position in the chair, presented a good opportunity to have her identify practices that best suit her body and how to use the chair in a safer way. I am sure she won’t forget it. I know I won’t!