What is Yoga?
I have been practicing yoga for nearly 25 years, and have studied and trained in Canada, the US, and India. I hold yogic values at the core of my being (the Sutras), at the heart of which lies a commitment to social justice and activism. Without equality, there is NO ‘yoga’. Operating from a premise that society has been structured to promote inequality (in race, class/ income, gender, ability, weight, age), this means first elevating the voices and bodies of those that have been oppressed.
Why Do A (Couples/ Individual) Yoga Therapy Session?
Yoga is about more than “stretching” and contrary to belief, requires little flexibility. In the practice of restorative yoga, props are used to help create a foundation of support for the body while it is held in proper alignment. These supports allow for the release of deeply held tensions in the muscles and fascia, and activation in the nervous system, thereby promoting deep rest, relaxation, and healing. Along with breathing techniques, inquiry, and meditation, these healing practices reduce stress and pain, and improve mood, by promoting the body’s natural ability to move towards balance and homeostasis.
In the practice of trauma-informed yoga, the practice is self led; I will simply guide you into your body to connect with impulses and instincts, as we move through healing shapes. Postures are held for as long or little as is tolerable and choice (e.g., saying “no” to a pose) is offered at all points. The practice of yoga therapeutics invites mindful attention to bodily sensations, thoughts and emotions, as the entry point to healing and to optimal health. This practice is available to those with disability, and diversity in all forms is welcome. No previous experience with yoga is required, and it is particularly recommended for those drawn to non verbal movement based healing methods.
