Yoga & Meditation

We carry trauma in our bodies much like we carry stress. Traumatic events can leave energetic imprints in our physical tissues. The release of a metal “blockage” can sometimes have complimentary physical releases. As such, it becomes important to feel at home in our own bodies and to understand the language our bodies use to communicate with us.

During my clinical placements, I found that when a Client meditated or breathed consciously under my guidance for a short time prior to an Art Therapy session, the resulting art-making and conversational experiences tended to be far richer for both Client and Therapist.

As a result of these experiences, I dedicated my M.A. thesis (“Understanding the effects of facilitating Yoga Nidra with Art Therapy”) to understanding how the practice of yoga, specifically Yoga Nidra, could aid with the facilitation of Art Therapy sessions. The results suggested an increase in measures of Interoception (the sense of the internal state of the body) following a Yoga Nidra meditation for the majority of participants.

In my private practice, I employ Yoga and Breathwork (Pranayama) appropriate to each Client, from the completely passive practice of Restorative Yoga to the active and energetic practice of Hatha Yoga. There is no expectation for the Client to have any previously Yoga or Meditation experience.

“In addition to the effects of yoga on mood disorders and stress reduction, yogic practices are shown to improve cardiorespiratory performance, psychological profile, and plasma melatonin levels and also significantly reduced systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and orthostatic tolerance. Furthermore, yoga helps to improve the cardiovascular efficiency and homeostatic control of the body and results in improvements in autonomic balance, respiratory performance, and overall well-being.” International Journal of Yoga

Types of Yoga & Meditation

I teach the following types of yoga & meditation:

• Hatha - Traditional Hatha Yoga dates back to at least 1200 A.D. In Sanskrit, the word “hatha” means “sun” (ha) and “moon” (ta), while “yoga” comes from the word “yug” meaning “union”. The name "Hatha Yoga” thus represents a yoga practice that balances the polarities — the sun and moon energy, the light and the dark — within the self. This balance is achieved by pairing physical postures (asanas) with breathing techniques (pranayama), chanting or reciting (mantra), hand gestures (mudra), cleansing techniques (shatkriyas and shatkarmas) and creative visualisation.

• Yin - Delicate restorative practice based on the combination of Yoga asanas and Traditional Chinese Medicine. “It is the balancing practice for your yang style of yoga.” Yin Yoga targets the connective tissues, such as the ligaments, bones, and even the joints of the body that normally are not exercised very much in a more active style of asana practice. Suitable for almost all levels of students, Yin Yoga is a perfect complement to the dynamic and muscular (yang) styles of yoga that emphasise internal heat, and the lengthening and contracting of our muscles. Yin Yoga generally targets the connective tissues of the hips, pelvis, and lower spine. Props are utilised unsparingly and postures are held in a relaxed state.

• Restorative - Restorative yoga involves deeply restorative poses, supported by props that allow you to completely relax and rest. Poses are typically held for roughly 15 minutes where “…You have no ambition to move or curiosity about the sounds that occur outside you.. That’s the state where you’re resting in your true self.”

  “You can’t make yourself be compassionate, you can only keep stepping back and becoming a larger container in which compassion wants to live. The practice should open us up, and crack open our hearts again and again.” ― Judith Hanson Lasater

• Yoga Nidra - Yoga Nidra, or yogic sleep as it is commonly known, is an immensely powerful meditation technique, and one of the easiest yoga practices to develop and maintain. While the practitioner rests comfortably in savasana (corpse pose), this systematic meditation takes you through the pancha maya kosha (five layers of self), leaving you with a sense of wholeness.

• Meditation (Mindfulness) - Mindfulness Meditation is a western, non-sectarian form of meditation derived from a 2,500 year old Buddhist practice called Vipassana or Insight Meditation. It is a form of meditation designed to develop the skill of paying attention to our inner and outer experiences with acceptance, patience, and compassion. Mindfulness meditation can help with managing anxiety and depression, bolstering the immune system, lowering blood pressure, reviving emotional wellness and improving overall happiness and well-being.