Yoga as Therapy
In the western world, most yoga is utilized for fitness and flexibility, but from its origins in the east it’s always been a physical, mental and spiritual practice. Yoga is not only the asanas, or postures, but it also incorporates breathing and meditation. 
The practice itself can be seen as a holistic system promoting harmony and balance at the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual levels. When the harmony is disturbed through disorder, illness, accident or stress, yoga can help restore that balance.
Yoga therapists typically are certified yoga teachers that have completed training at a 500 hour level and have additional education in human physiology, anatomy and applications of yoga to medical conditions. Although general health can be improved and mild complaints addressed through an ordinary yoga class, yoga therapists will help people create a yoga lifestyle based on their individual needs. The therapist will take into account their health problems, injuries, flexibility, habits, constitution and circumstances.
Yoga therapy typically starts with a private session for consultation followed by a series of specialized one-on-one or group sessions. These will start with simple flexibility exercises incorporating simplified postures, breathing techniques and final relaxation that is some form of meditation. Clients can begin to practice and find benefit immediately even without prior experience with yoga. Yoga therapy can be a great start into a lifelong yoga practice that can provide greater mental, physical and spiritual health.
Meditation
Woah! Slow down! Take a breath! Sit still for a minute and concentrate on your breath as it goes in and out. Guess what? You are meditating. It’s that simple and that profound. You don’t have to bend in ways that are not natural. You don’t have to shave your head. You don’t even have to wear a robe or be affiliated with any religious sect. You simply sit still and breathe. According to Psychology Today meditating just 10 minutes a day will increase your relaxation (alpha) brain waves decreasing anxiety and stress.
Potential benefits of meditation include:
- Lower oxygen consumption
- Slower respiratory rate
- Physical relaxation
- Calmed nerves
- Clarity of purpose
- Decreased depression
- Increases creativity
- Establish intentional living
- Reduced stress
- Restful sleep
- Emotional stability
Meditation has become an integral part of the psychotherapy world because it lends itself to opening up emotional awareness and healing. Furthermore, it helps with mood and behavior stabilization. There are a plethora of approaches to meditation. A few of which include guided meditation, guided imagery, and the concept of mindfulness. The counselors at LifeWorks look forward to teaching you the principles and practice of meditation.
If you are interested in adding yoga or meditation to your therapeutic practice, we recommend the following LifeWorker:
And the following adjunct clinicians:
Aaron Price
Petri Brill
Please call or email Lifeworks for more information, or to make an appointment.
Resources:
http://www.yogajournal.com”www.yogajournal.com, Yoga Journal Magazine
http://www.yinyoga.com”www.yinyoga.com, Yin Yoga Website
http://www.myyogisrus.com”www.myyogisrus.com, Elemental Yoga Mindfulness; An Eight-Week Plan for finding Peace in a Frantic World by Mark Williams,
Danny Penman, and Jon Kabat-Zinn
The Miracle of mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation by Thich Nat Hahn
Mindfulness meditation by Jon Kaba-Zinn
Meditation for Optimum Health: how to Use Mindfulness and Breathing to Heal by
Andrew Weil and Jon Kabat-Zinn audio cd
www.dallasmeditationcenter.com
http://www.cellofpeace.com/
www.dallas.shambhala.org
