Individual psychotherapeutic yoga engages our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual capacities through the intersection of physical movement, mindfulness, intentional use of the breath, and therapeutic dialogue in the very present moment. This allows any challenging past experiences that may emerge in the present to do so while you are in a state of self-awareness and self-empowerment, enabling you to connect with your inner resources, creativity, and agency, and to transform your experience of trauma into an opportunity for growth.
 
To optimize your experience of individual psychotherapeutic yoga, I personalize sessions to meet your specific needs and remain actively attentive to these needs as we work together. This personalized approach is different from attending a yoga class (which can be quite competitive and intimidating, and sometimes frightening if a yoga instructor is not trained to handle traumatic feedback). As a body-centered psychotherapist with advanced training and certification in trauma-focused therapeutic modalities (e.g., Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy), I am especially attuned to triggers that may emerge during your individual yoga practice, and can help you retrain your brain and nervous system to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress.
 
Yoga's origins can be traced to northern India over 5000 years ago. Psychotherapeutic yoga is extensively researched and evidence-based, and is applied in the treatment of an array of clinical concerns including PTSD, complex trauma, addiction, grief, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and social anxiety. Potential benefits of psychotherapeutic yoga include reduced stress and anxiety, decreased inflammation and pain, enhanced self-awareness, and nervous system regulation.
 
I am a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 500) with Yoga Alliance with specialized training and certification in:
 

• Trauma-Sensitive Yoga

• Yin Yoga

• Chair Yoga

• Adaptive Yoga

• Restorative Yoga

• ​Hatha Yoga

• Myofascial Release

• Meditation

• Pranayama

• Yoga Nidra

I have a deep appreciation for the uniqueness of each individual's anatomy and encourage the use of props (e.g., yoga blocks, yoga straps, bolsters, etc.) and variations in poses to enhance physical and emotional support during your sessions. I also stress the importance of mindfulness in my psychotherapeutic yoga approach, minimizing judgment, and inviting curiosity and acceptance. This allows us to slow down and focus our attention on what is emerging as you invite your body, breath, emotions, and spiritual capacities into your healing process. Thus, I approach psychotherapeutic yoga as a process of deep self-inquiry, self-discovery, and self-mastery. Clients who have experienced psychotherapeutic yoga with me express a sense of physical, psychological, and spiritual relief, and the capacity to remain in the present moment and engage their inner resources and strengths. 

Individual psychotherapeutic yoga begins with an 80-minute intake session that includes a comprehensive body assessment. Once the intake and body assessment session is completed, we can begin individual psychotherapeutic yoga sessions. To minimize contamination, please bring your own yoga props to each session. You can select one or more of the following; I will adapt our work to accommodate your props:
 

• Yoga mat

• ​Yoga blocks (2)

• Yoga strap

• Bolster

• Blanket

For more information about my experience with psychotherapeutic yoga, or to schedule an appointment, please feel free to contact me.