MA88945
Private Sessions & Group Classes
I work in the spirit of the original meaning of the word therapy -- "caring for the self," and serve as a guide on your journey of healing and self-discovery. I create
programs for optimal wellness based on the specific needs of my clients and students in a safe learning environment.
Both Private Sessions and Group Classes are hosted virtually using Zoom.*
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*Being present for our time together is not just respectful to me and your classmates, it's a tremendous act of self-love. Please make every effort to go undisturbed by other household members and pets during sessions and classes.
Consultation* 30 mins
Includes a full review of your relevant history, an assessment of your current health concern through the lens of Yoga Therapy, a discussion of your goals, and answers to your questions.
*Consultation is necessary for both private sessions and group classes.
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Private & Semi-Private Sessions 1.25h $90.00
When you prefer fully personalized attention, or when a therapeutic group class isn't available for your specific health concern, working privately is truly the way to go. After the initial session, I recommend 2-3 follow-up sessions, though some people prefer ongoing. Semi-Private sessions are up to 3 people.
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Group Classes 2h $210.00 - $280.00
A Therapeutic Yoga Group Classes run anywhere from 4-8 weeks, depending on the program. Class size is intentionally kept small, usually between 4-10 students. Enrollment opens roughly 6 weeks prior to the start of a group and closes 1 week prior to the first class.
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Programs 8 week $648.00 6 week $486.00
Fertility R+R is currently running as a private or semi-private program only, group classes are on the horizon. See description in the list of wellness programs below for details. There are two program options:
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8 week program track is a great place to start. The aim is to reduce stress in every dimension of your being,
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6 week program introduces the principles of Ayurveda to deeply personalize your practice while working with your individual menstrual cycle* or supporting your ART (assisted reproductive treatment).
*Menstrual cycles must be regular and occurring every 27-31 days. if you are experiencing irregular cycles, the 8 week program is the best place to start.
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"When this body has been so magnificently and artistically created by God, it is only fitting that we should maintain it in good health and harmony by the most excellent and artistic science of Yoga." Geeta Iyengar
I facilitate optimal wellness and design programs of Yoga practice to meet the following needs:
Rest & Digest
Reduce Digestive Discomforts
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Each of us has a favored area of the body where we store stress. For some it's the neck, others the lower back, and for many it's the abdomen. Stress management is essential for healthy digestion because the stress response shunts blood away from the digestive system to the large working muscles of the body. This serves to conserve energy during periods of stressful activity, but when stress becomes chronic, the entire digestive system tips toward imbalance. Furthermore, constant engagement of the abdominal muscles restricts our access to deep breathing. Those who have endured years with chronic digestive problems often have their digestive upsets reflected in their personalities as a cranky, crabby nature. Here's how regular practice of Yoga is beneficial for reducing digestive complaints:
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Reduces stress and the harmful effects of stress on the digestive and eliminatory systems,
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Brings awareness of tension in the abdominal muscles, the triggers of that tension, and the core beliefs behind the triggers,
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Supports optimal digestion, assimilation, and elimination,
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Facilitates digestion of life experiences, and an internal locus of control,
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Relieves fatigue.
Fertility R+R
Rest for the weary on the challenged journey toward motherhood
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Metta Menses
The Spiritual Practice of Menstruation
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There is so much more to the Menstrual Cycle than the biology lesson given to explain it. It is largely affected by the Moon, is a way for us to honor Mother Earth and the mysterious feminine powers of nurture, creativity and sensuality, and reflects a woman's personal life seasons. When a woman honors her Menstrual Cycle, Menstrual Periods are a painless, beautifully orchestrated function of nerves, veins, hormones and energy. Unfortunately though, 75% of women and girls suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and painful periods from lack of self-nourishment, in the form of quiet time, a lighter schedule, adequate rest, replenishing meal choices, and exercise during the weeks prior to, but especially during the Menstrual Period. This is due to high stress lives, over responsibility, feelings of guilt for taking care of ourselves, and cultural period shame that demands we keep going as though our period isn't happening. Therapeutic Yoga is helpful in reducing PMS symptoms and painful periods because it:
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Reduces stress and the harmful effects of stress on the endocrine and reproductive systems,
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Meditation has been shown to raise serotonin levels,
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Reduces tearfulness, irritability, bloating, headaches, and cramping,
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Increases circulation to reproductive organs,
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Cultivates a space of inner silence that allows women to turn inward to attune to natural rhythms and cycles.
Trying to conceive is certainly an exciting time. For couples facing fertility challenges however, the emotional roller coaster is a stressful ride. Stress plays a crucial role in fertility health as it negatively effects our hormone balance and reproductive system. In fact, the stress of struggling to overcome fertility challenges rivals that of other serious medical conditions such as cancer, cardiac rehabilitation, and hypertension.* Mindfulness-based practices have been proven to reduce negative emotions and increase pregnancy rates in clinical trials.** Practicing Yoga during this time in your life may help you to:
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Reduce the harmful effects of stress on your endocrine and reproductive systems;
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Implement mindfulness-based tools to reduce feelings such as anger and fear, relieve anxiety and lift depression, ease the sense of loss and the sense of urgency, and improve self-esteem;
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Break through silence and isolation by connecting with and lending support to other women who are sharing in the struggle;
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Empower yourself to participate in your own fertility health by learning how to optimize and maintain it.
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This program works to support both natural fertility and assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Nourishing Pre-Mama
Comfort For The Dramatic Changes of Pregnancy
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The year that women prepare to have a baby just might be the most important time to practice Yoga. Grounding, ease and clarity are challenging qualities to maintain when the physical body is experiencing such dramatic changes, the mind is riding the crazy waves of hormones, partners not always on the same page when it comes to preparation, and life is changing
drastically each day as she prepares to meet her child. Yoga can help provide context for the upheaval and structure throughout he chaos. There are too many benefits of Prenatal Yoga Therapy* to list here, so here's a few to get started with:
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Ease discomforts of pregnancy such as morning sickness, constipation, fatigue, posture imbalances, sciatica, and pelvic pain,
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Mentally and physically prepare for motherhood, develop trust in the process of labor and birth, open to pregnancy as a spiritual journey, and learn to listen to and trust inner guidance and natural instincts,
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Increase flexibility, develop endurance, and enhance connection to you breath,
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Learn how to work with discomfort and adversity, increase pain tolerance by redefining pain as intensity, improve concentration and self control,
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Find your voice to talk about your body and needs, set intentions for birth and motherhood,
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Expand your circle and community of support.
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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25535930/
Mama Beat the Blues
Improving Prenatal & Postpartum Mood
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Having a baby is a life changing experience that can bring on a normal degree of stress. But when negative or apprehensive thoughts and emotions start to take over and impact a mom's ability to function from day to day, this could be a sign that she is experiencing perinatal or postpartum anxiety or depression. If you are struggling** to sleep well, experiencing mood swings, feelings of inadequacy, irritability, impatience, or not liking yourself, regular Yoga practice has many physiological and psychological benefits to new moms and moms-to-be*, including:
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Decrease in stress hormones,
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Relaxes chronic muscle tension,
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Mentally and physically prepare for giving birth and motherhood,
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Strengthens connection with baby,
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Empowerment,
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Establish a more positive outlook,
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Elevation of mood,
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Balances left/right brain function,
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Cultivates equanimity in the face of life's challenges,
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Develops greater self-awareness,
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Increased ability to self-regulate.
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**If you are experiencing moderate to severe perinatal/postpartum anxiety or depression, I am happy to work collaboratively with your mental health professional. If you are in need of immediate support please call 9-1-1 or head to the nearest hospital emergency room.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23059438/
Mama Be Chill
Managing High-Risk Pregnancy​ with Yoga
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Any condition that poses a threat to mom or her baby during pregnancy makes the pregnancy "high-risk." Most commonly, these conditions include: multiples, diabetes, high blood pressure, cervical changes, and poor fetal development. It is often prescribed for moms experiencing these kinds of prenatal challenges to have a period of bed rest to help stabilize or alleviate complications so that the pregnancy can continue healthfully. During bed rest, moms can experience some degree of discomfort from loss of muscle tone, achy joints, and reduced blood circulation making it important for moms to exercise. One study shows that Yoga Therapy has positive effects for women with high risk pregnancy.* Among them are:
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Reduced maternal stress,
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Improved birth weight,
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Decreases pre-term labor,
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Decreases intrauterine growth retardation associated with pregnancy-related hypertension,
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Enhanced oxygenation of maternal blood,
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Better circulation to and from placenta,
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Opportunity to enjoy this miraculous time.
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* https://www.amhsr.org/articles/yoga-for-highrisk-pregnancy-a-randomized-controlled-trial.pdf
Mighty in Menopause
Harmonious Life Transitions
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Menopause is one of the many transitions that are a natural part of a woman's life journey. In many societies, menopause is perceived positively, especially in those that revere aging. For many women, however, menopause may be accompanied by symptoms of discomfort, including hot flashes, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and decreased libido. Stress aggravates these symptoms, however, to the extent that change is embraced with balance and harmony, these transitions occur more smoothly. Regular Yoga Therapy* practice helps to:
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Reduce hot flashes and night sweats,
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Rejuvenate and bring the whole body into balance,
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Increase melatonin levels and improves sleep quality,
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Stabilize mood,
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Encourage positive thinking to overcome reduced self-esteem and self-image.
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*https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122509/
