To offer the client the benefits of sun salutations (surya namaskar A) by adapting the asanas, assisted by the wall. Supporting documentation is attached.

The client will perform four rounds of sun salutations assisted by the wall every morning. The pace of each round will be determined and guided by the client's breathing.

The client is a 47 year-old female. While not given a specific diagnosis, she becomes very lightheaded with inversions - especially at a quick pace - which lower her head below her heart. Her heart rate will also increase rapidly at times. In addition, she struggles with low back and neck pain with TMJ. She works as a teacher's aide at a local elementary school where she focuses her work with special needs students. She has also endured a stressful year with a family loss.

I envisioned beginning with centering and a brief meditation, followed by about 20 minutes of guiding her through the joint freeing series. I estimated performing four rounds of sun salutations at the wall, followed by taking time with the client to discuss the experience. I next planned to guide her through deep relaxation in whatever pose was most easeful for her body, encouraging her to remain in the pose for as long as she was comfortable.

I focused on hatha yoga, guiding the client through each asana in Sun Salutation A, as well as encouraging consistent practice of ahimsa in exploring each pose. I incorporated raja yoga as well, focusing on sutra 2.46 (sthira sukham asanam,) encouraging her to seek a balance of steadiness and strength along with comfortable space in each pose. I also included pranayama with the practice of three-part breathing.

The client was eager to practice, and enjoyed the support and sensory feedback provided by using the wall. She commented throughout each round about tightness and stiffness in her body, especially in her calves. I encouraged her that the tightness is to be expected in a new practice and new movements for her body, and not to be discouraged. I kept the pace slow and deliberate, reminding her to allow her breath to guide the movements. I encouraged pausing between each asana for her to feel the effects and make any necessary adjustments, and ask questions if needed.

I encouraged her to perform 2-4 rounds of sun salutations every morning before preparing for work. I recommended that she find some time to practice every day - even if on busy days she is only able to work with one pose instead of a full round. I also encouraged her to continue the practice of three-part breathing throughout her day, whether at work with her special needs students or at home in assisting her mother-in-law who now lives with her. I highlighted the benefits of using this breath practice whenever she feels overwhelmed or "stuck," and how even just a few breaths can reduce the stress response in her body.

Yes, I believe the goal was achieved. I know the client very well, and she was having a challenging day. On every kosha she feels “stuck” right now, so we worked with the most accessible level for her being the physical, and focused on gently moving her body - guided by the movement of her breath. In addition I guided her through some three-part breathing, encouraging her to connect with the image of the breath like a pitcher of water being filled and then gently poured out. We also spent time just talking, as she had some thoughts and emotions that she needed to process and allow to move by letting them out.

Due to recent remodeling downstairs, she actually has limited wall space to practice consistently, so we explored using her carpeted stairs as another option for supported practice. An unexpected benefit of this is that continued practice at the stairs will allow the client to progressively begin to place her hands closer to the ground as she becomes more comfortable with asanas.

I would approach it the same way. Whether working with this client again or someone with a similar need for more movement on every level, using adaptive sun salutations provides energizing movement and the ability to increase breath awareness by allowing the breath the guide the flow. I would look for ways to incorporate the deeper koshas into the practice. It might not be available during the first session for the client, but I would encourage the client as their practice develops to notice what emotions and thoughts might arise during the flow or specific poses.