Practitioner will used guided imagery to help client connect with the somatic body, specifically the heart.

Over the course of three Therapeutic Yoga sessions, the practitioner will include a 20 minute guided imagery session to help the client connect to his somatic body, specifically the heart.

Client is a 57 year old yoga practitioner and instructor who had a heart attack this past December. He wants to connect more deeply with his emotions and heart center using guided imagery.

After meeting with the client the plan was to have three therapeutic yoga sessions that would include a 20 minute guided imagery session specifically geared to becoming in touch with the heart.

Session 1: Body scan - would be working from the outside in - specifically following the breath and the sensation of the breath from the very exterior of the body all they way into the more subtle sensations of the prana and that energy moving into and through the heart. Noticing any blocks or feelings/sensations in the body as the client moves through the session.

Session 2: Building on the last session the client will be guided to have a conversation with the heart and listen to what it needs or feels.

Session 3: Building on the last session the client will be guided to visualized the pranic energy moving in and through the heart healing the heart and the arteries and clearing away all that is no longer needed.

Hatha - using specific asanas that help with heart opening set the stage for more connection and healing to occur. For example: Gentle Mountain Stream and Gentle Mountain Brook help open the chest and heart area. Supported Reclined butterfly pose also helps open the heart. These poses help with the meridians and specifically include the heart meridian.

Hatha - using Pranayama - to help get the client to become aware of the breath and the more subtle sensations of the prana - to help them observe the movement or lack of movement of the the energy of the breath and prana to aid in healing.

Hatha - Deep relaxation - to aid in the bodies natural ability to heal.

Raja - concentration and meditation - using guided imagery as a form of meditation and concentration.

Client was consciously willing and excited to do the sessions. During the sessions client had the propensity to disassociate by falling asleep. After discussing this and adapting my style to help keep him present and him committing to work to stay present, client was able to achieve connection to his heart and maintain dialogue. Client reported practicing the guided meditations on his own with satisfaction and was able to maintain the practice during our in person session for the entire 20 minutes. Client reported feeling calmer and more connected to his own physical and emotional needs.

The suggestion for the client was to continue to check in with his heart and body as a whole and to listen to the requests of his heart and body and to respond to them with a physical action during the day or week.

Yes, I did apply the intended plan. The goal was achieved according to the client. While I did have to adjust my tone of voice and pace to keep the client from falling asleep we were still able to achieve the goal. The client reported feeling that his heart was happy and healing well.

I adapted my tone and pace to meet the client. I also adapted the wording as this client is more head geared so I had to move from a very head based to body and energy based and the transition was definitely a challenge. I also had to let go of my own preconceived expectations and let him have his experience. The lessons I learned or relearned: It is hard to work with family members and a level of professionalism and conversation around what that looks like prior to the session is important. People are wired in lots of ways and that is ok. Adapt adapt adapt.

I probably would not work with a family member - or I would sit down with them and establish a level of what is expected from each of us before hand so that it would be a more professional experience. I would also hopefully not work with people family or otherwise while recovering myself, but this was a strange situation and hopefully a onetime thing.

Also if approached with the same situation client wise I would be much more inclusive of other modalities that I possess, this situation required specifically working with Therapeutic Yoga and Guided Imagery/Meditation.