Yoga therapist
Yoga teacher
EMDR therapist
What is yoga therapy?
“Yoga therapy is the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the application of the teachings and practices of Yoga.”- The International Association of Yoga Therapists. "Yoga therapy is the dedicated and particular use of yoga practices for the treatment of specific mental and phy
sical ailments. The employment of therapeutic yoga practices must be, in part, based on a scientific and medical understanding of the benefits of these practices and of the conditions being treated." - Heather Mason M.A. The Minded Institute
Yoga therapy indeed encompasses a holistic approach to health and well-being, addressing the interconnectedness of the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual. By working within the framework of the Koshas, or the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model, practitioners aim to address the underlying issues while also considering their impact on other layers of being. For instance, anxiety can manifest not only in psychological symptoms such as rumination and worry but also in physical symptoms like lower back pain and tension in the shoulders. Yoga therapy sessions would thus include practices targeting each layer affected by anxiety, such as specific postures to alleviate physical tension, breathing techniques to calm the nervous system, meditation to quiet the mind, and practices aimed at promoting a sense of connection and discernment. By incorporating various tools such as breathwork, postures, meditation, and relaxation techniques, yoga therapy seeks to promote behavioral changes and support individuals in cultivating greater balance, resilience, and well-being across all dimensions of their being. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a psychotherapy approach primarily used to treat trauma-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it can also be effective for other conditions such as anxiety, depression, and phobias. The main principle of EMDR is that traumatic memories are stored in the brain in a dysfunctional way, leading to symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and emotional distress. Through a structured protocol, EMDR helps individuals process these memories in a more adaptive manner, reducing the intensity of associated emotions and beliefs. During an EMDR session, I will guide the client through sets of bilateral stimulation, which can involve rapid eye movements, auditory tones, or tactile sensations. These bilateral stimulations are believed to facilitate the brain's natural information processing mechanisms, allowing traumatic memories to be reprocessed and integrated with more adaptive beliefs and emotions. EMDR typically involves several phases, including history-taking, preparation, assessment, desensitisation, installation of positive beliefs, and closure. The exact number of sessions required can vary depending on the individual and the severity of their symptoms. Research has shown EMDR to be an effective treatment for trauma-related conditions, with many individuals experiencing significant reductions in symptoms and improvements in overall functioning. It is important to note that EMDR should be administered by trained and licensed therapists who have completed specific EMDR training and certification programs.
