I teach one-to-one yoga therapy from a small yoga studio space at my home in Bickleigh, near Tiverton and Cullompton,Devon.

 

Yoga therapy is a holistic mind-body-soul practice, and may be beneficial for anyone living with mental or physical conditions/injuries.  Yoga therapy can support long term conditions such as MS, autoimmune disorders, or PTSD, as well as temporary experiences such as surgical recovery, cancer treatment, periods of insomnia. 

 

I specialise in yoga for mental health, but I have also worked with people living with: Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, arthritis, cancer, bereavement, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and FND.

 

It is not uncommon to begin yoga therapy to address one symptom or set of symptoms, and find the work then evolves to support other issues as they arise. For example I have worked with someone recovering from cancer, which expanded to include helping them navigate divorce, and I have begun initial work with a client around a bereavement, with it then evolving to support the diagnosis of an autoimmune disorder. 

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What is yoga therapy?

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Yoga therapy is based on the Kosha model, which considers an individual in terms of 5 different layers/koshas of the self.  These layers include:

 

1. The physical body - incorporating aspects of the self such as muscles/bones/organs/tissues, posture, muscular imbalances, movement patterns, tension, pain, scarring, inflammation, diet, hydration.  The physical body is the foundation for the other layers.

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2. The energy body - incorporating aspects of the self such as nervous system function, breathing patterns, circulation, digestion, energy levels, sleep patterns, circadian rhythms, speech, rest.  The energy body is concerned with our life force and energy.

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3. The mental body - incorporating aspects of our inner world such as beliefs, thought patterns, mental activity, mental imagery, emotional states. The mental body is concerned with our mental constructs and how we perceive our life and the world. 

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4. The wisdom body - incorporating deeper aspects of the mind such as awareness, intuition, wisdom, bigger picture thinking, relationships, connection to nature. The wisdom body is concerned with our ability to access our positive qualities and can be regarded as 'the mind beyond the mind' ie who we are beyond our day to day thoughts.

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5. The bliss body - incorporating the deepest aspect of self, our true nature, true consciousness.  The bliss body is considered to be a felt sense experience, rather than something that can be described in words.  It is usually only accessed after a long period of spiritual or contemplative practice, however we can all experience glimpses or moments of bliss in our daily lives.

 

Yoga therapy includes an assessment of the person based on these 5 layers.  Therapeutic work then seeks to restore balance to each layer through the application of the teachings and practices of yoga.  The layers interrelate, so that a change in one layer will ripple through the others - what affects the mind affects the body, and vice versa.  A very simple example of this might be: improving a persons posture,  improves their breathing pattern, which helps them to feel calmer, which stops racing thoughts, and allows them to think more clearly about their needs.  Restoring balance to some or all of the layers can help improve a persons symptoms, and lead to greater feelings of well being.  

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Yoga therapy is highly specialised for the individual, their history, and their needs.  Sessions often include: movement, rest, yoga nidra, breathwork, mindfulness and meditation, talking and enquiry, but can also incorporate a wide range of other practices such as gratitude practice, mudra, mantra, journalling, self massage, tapping, accupressure.  Yoga therapy is not psychological therapy but, since two of the koshas relate to our inner world and relationships, there can be some overlap.  Having our stories heard in a safe space, processing our life experiences, and making sense of how we feel, can be enormously therapeutic.  If I, or the client, feel they may benefit from deeper psychological work I will direct them as appropriate.

 

Yoga therapy is based on the ancient wisdom and science of yoga, but is also grounded in modern day physiology and neuroscience.  Depending on your belief system and interests, yoga therapy sessions can be science based, yoga philosophy based, or a combination of both. The content of each session will be based on the needs and wishes of the client, and as such will not include practices that feel uncomfortable or awkward to them. Sessions are client led, empathetic, and non judgemental.  I am trauma and Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy informed, and I trained and worked in psychology and mental health for many years, so I incorporate principles and skills from these arenas in my work.

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Please note:

I do not work with children or pregnancy.  If you would like  yoga therapy for pregnancy, or for a child, I am happy to recommend colleagues who specialise in these areas. 

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Price:

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Initial session 75 mins - £75

Subsequent sessions 60 mins - £65

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I find it is helpful to have an initial phone call (approx 15 mins) to discuss your condition/symptoms and what you would like to achieve through yoga therapy.   This is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions and get a feel for whether you would like to work with me.  This phone call is very informal, confidential, and free.

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You will be sent an intake form in advance of our first session, and initial sessions include discussion of this form,  your health history and current symptoms, as well as an exploration of how you move and breathe.

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I ask people to commit to an initial block of 6 sessions.  Yoga works on a dose by dose basis and, much like training muscles in the gym, it takes time to notice any change.  Consistency is also crucial, ad hoc yoga is ineffective. 

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I take payment for all sessions in advance.  Refunds are available with 48 hours notice.  

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If you have needs that do not suit the above - for example if you require shorter sessions, please do feel free to send me a message and we can discuss options.

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