Before I became an author, I had time to teach yoga classes. Now, I only have time to teach individual sessions. I began practicing yoga in 2002, and received my Yoga teacher’s certification in 2011.
My yoga classes are taught as a form of physical therapy to help with specific muscle issues (frozen shoulder, chronic back pain, sciatica, and so on). I also teach it to help with mental issues (PTSD, depression, and other forms of anxiety). I now teach individual yoga therapy classes.
Why Teach Yoga?
I have a great deal of respect for the art of Yoga. After using it myself, I see the lasting, positive effects it can on someone’s life. It can be altered to address my specific needs, and I can do it anywhere. Plus, it also doesn’t always have to last an hour to be beneficial.
Aside from my personal experiences, many studies show that Yoga (in all of its forms) has a proven effect on mental and physical healing. For example, a study was performed at at the University of Marylan Center of Integrative Medicine. The subjects of the test had experienced a traumatizing illness, event, or accident. They used yoga, in combination with MBSR (mindfulness based stress training). Afterward, researchers saw a dramatic decrease in symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety after only eight weeks (Weintraub, 2012). Similar studies show that Yoga asanas (the physical practice), mantra-based meditation, pranayama (breath work), and guided imagery are effective in working with mental and physical trauma. It can also be a gentle way to help you reclaim balance in your mind and body.
Individual Classes VS. Group Classes:
Many of my clients have voiced their concerns (and fears) about jumping into a yoga class without training. A “beginner class” at a gym, or yoga studio, isn’t always a “class.” It is more like a beginner’s session that uses easier poses, and usually offers only basic, or no, instruction.
When I began yoga, I took an eight-day yoga introduction class. It taught me the primary poses, and how to properly do them. There is a risk of hurting yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing. So, I was glad I took the instruction class first.
Receiving instruction on how to do a yoga pose will give you safer and faster results. It also prepares you for yoga classes that may have little, or no, instruction. Taking a beginner’s class will also increase your confidence level.
My Yoga Therapy Classes
The class is designed to work at your level. During the class you will learn and receive:
- Stretch techniques for specific muscle issues.
- How to correctly hold a pose.
- Poses that will help realign your body.
- Pranayama breath work to help calm and realign your mind.
- Meditation techniques to help calm your mind anywhere you may go.
- Nutrition advice.
- Gentle and supportive instruction.
- Assisted Thai stretching to help loosen muscles.
The 5 Session Class
(suggested over five weeks): $425.00
5 classes with up to 1.5 hours per class.
Class materials and workbook provided.
You will need a yoga mat, yoga strap, and two yoga blocks (they can be provided, but you should buy them so that you can practice on your own)
This is an introduction to yoga, its primary poses, and will prepare you for any yoga group class. You will be taught the concepts behind yoga, breath work, and meditation. This is not a boot camp or Bikram style of teaching. We go at your pace. We slowly work you into each pose so that you know what you are doing and why you are doing it. You will also learn tricks to avoiding injury and methods for strengthening your practice
I love teaching this class, and I have seen good results from it. While I only teach individual sessions, there are yoga studios that teach group introduction courses, and are often less expensive. But remember, a “beginner” yoga class is not the same as an “introduction” class, and I highly suggest an introduction class to anyone who is thinking about beginning a yoga practice.
If you are interested in the meditation aspects of yoga, and how they can help reduce/eliminate different issues in the mind like anxiety, PTSD, and panic attacks, see my Meditation 101 class.
