*Yin and/or Restorative Yoga - VERY GENTLE RELAXATION Poses (minimal to no effort):

Yin = Passive

The Central Nervous System is comprised of the brain and spinal cord, while the Peripheral Nervous System is comprised of fibers which stem from the spinal cord throughout the torso, abdomen, and extremities.

The Peripheral Nervous System is made up of the Somatic Nervous System and Autonomic Nervous System. The Autonomic Nervous System controls unconscious responses from the CNS (for example, breathing, heart beat) and is comprised of the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nerve responses.

When the brain's amygdala and cerebral cortex perceive stress, a neurochemical message is sent from the Central Nervous System to the Peripheral Nervous System where the Autonomic System's Sympathetic Response is activated, also known as the Fight/Flight/Freeze response.

Conversely, the Autonomic Nervous System's Parasympathetic response calms heightened physiological reactions back into homeostasis, or further yet, into deep relaxation.

Finally, the Vagus Nerve originates, in part, at the Central Nervous System. From there, the nerve fiber bundles extend throughout the thoracic and abdominal regions where they intertwine with the Autonomic System's Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nerves. The abdominal space of Vagus Nerve Bundles is referred to as the "Gut Brain," and is responsible for regulating glands and smoothing muscles.

Yin postures activate the Parasympathetic Response of the Peripheral Autonomic Nervous System. Each pose relieves tension from joints and muscles in the body where where we habitually internalize stress (e.g., neck, rotator cuff, gut, lower back, hips etc.). As a result, a dysregulated nervous system transforms back into homeostasis, or if desired, deep relaxation. This, in turn, provides symptom relief of various somatic and psychological ailments as well as offers the practitioner an empowering experience of effective self-regulation by reducing emotional reactivity when faced with stress.

Our sessions will integrate verbal check-ins to reflect on your awareness of your body's sensations, emotions, and breathing pattern during the pose. This process promotes mindfulness -- the underlying goal of most therapeutic modalities.

After trying countless modalities over a period of decade, my experience has been that this is the only approach that has worked form me. I am not at all saying those therapy styles are not effective or useful, but rather that they did not fully alleviate my constellation of symptoms. Consequently, I decided to put together a program comprised of a handful of interventions I have found to be most helpful and effective in managing anxiety, depressive symptoms, posttraumatic stress, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. In addition to yin and progressive relaxation, Cognitive Behavior Interventions based in Neuroscience can be integrated into the sessions and/or as homework. Similarly, use of Jungian Archetypal Imagery and Symptom Dialogue can be used to access unconscious reasons for, and solutions to, your unique patterns of symptom expression.

I will never ask you to do any physical posture that is uncomfortable. In fact, most of the yin work is in a comfortable lying down position with cushions, blankets and other supports readily available. No matter how physically able-bodied you are, there is always a modification so you do not go beyond your own personal limit. Whether all your sessions are lying down with cushions and blankets, or you start there and gradually add more yin poses that would benefit your specific symptoms. There is no right or wrong -- only an agreement that you will not go beyond your limit to prevent injury.

Yang = Active

I also utilize standing balancing poses to help alleviate anxiety, mental disorganization, and cognitive/emotional fatigue symptoms and improve emotion-regulation, concentration, and a sense of feeling grounded.

Whatever you choose yin, yang, or a combination, look within to tailor your practice to fit your needs and be mindful not to overdo poses when working in your therapeutic edge. For me personally, when my body was at its weakest, I started with pure yin for quite some time and then was surprised to notice my body began to integrate yang poses into my practice. It was like once my central and peripheral nervous systems calmed down from the yin, my physiological need shifted to desiring more yang poses, which in turn continued to alleviate stress while also increasing energy. Not to mention, standing poses are great for the core, posture, and tightening the tissue around the bones, which in turn prevent, slow down, and possibly reverse some of the effects of aging. However, there is no expectation whatsoever to do more than the most basic yin poses if that's what your body tells you it needs.

Somatic Psychology = Holistic Health/Psychoneuroimmunology/Mind-Body Interconnectedness

The first session is an initial TELEHEALTH intake to conduct a comprehensive mind-body assessment to best tailor intervention recommendations to your unique qualities.

The remaining 10 somatic psychology sessions are offered via TELEHEALTH because doing the practice within your own environment allows increased comfort and the convenience of saving time and the expense a commute to and from an office.

***Please note that because this approach is not appropriate for all mental health conditions due to, for example, comorbid serious medical conditions and/or other complicated circumstances, you must first complete a screening.

Sessions will include primarily Restorative/Yin Yoga*, integrated with developmental neuroscience and evidenced-based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Carl Jung's psychodynamic archetypes will aslo be utilized to help you explore and work with integrating Unconscious personality symptom patterns.