YOGA THERAPY
What makes yoga therapy different from chiropractic, physiotherapy or massage?  The missing link in these other modalities is the emphasis on the breath.  Conscious manipulation of the breath, married with mindful movement, can shift energy blockages and effect healing in the body in a truly powerful way.  Yogic practices are scientifically proven to balance and calm the nervous system, which fundamentally encourages all other systems of the body (endocrine, immune, circulatory, etc.) to find health.  Yoga therapy "goes in the side door" so to speak.  We rarely aggressively manipulate the neck, for example, if there is neck tension.  We focus on strengthening the core, deepening the breath and encouraging balance along the whole spine.  The neck tension evaporates organically when the system is brought into balance.  This all takes time, patience and commitment, but the process is gentle and leaves you feeling better almost immediately.

Yoga therapy is appropriate for almost all health conditions other than acute care.

If you are experiencing any of these conditions or situations, yoga therapy can be helpful:

* chronic pain, such as back, shoulder, knee or neck
* recovery from an injury, such as a sport or accident
* arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue
* cardiac disease, pulmonary issues, blood pressure imbalances
* illness such as cancer, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc.
* anxiety, depression, hormonal imbalances
* a desire to deepen understanding of a particular aspect of the practice

To learn more about the educational standards for a certified yoga therapist, please click here.

Here is what our therapy clients have to say...

"I feel that I am starting to turn a corner. I am no longer having panic attacks and although I have regular periods of high anxiety there are fewer and fewer days that I require 2 pills and some days I don't have any pills. I have been reluctant to write this down because I wasn't sure if it was real or not. Thank you for all your guidance and help, you have had a positive influence on my life and I guess even an old dog can learn new tricks. With true sincerity thank you very much. " ....  Gentleman, 58 yrs old

"The work we did on my shoulder last week was very interesting. Although I really did find it somewhat challenging I have a craving to do more of the same. Would it be possible for you to send me some reference notes so I can do some or all of those poses / stretches / exercises (I'm never sure of the correct term) on my own." ... Female, 71 yrs old

"The concentration on breathing has been a Godsend.  For a very long time I have been trying to reconnect my lower body with my upper body and I can finally say that there has been a marriage.  This has been a hell of a year for me, but I feel supported, strong and capable since coming to yoga therapy."  ... Female, 32 yrs old

Scientific research (for detailed reports on the latest research, log on to www.iayt.org) is consistently discovering that stress is at the root of most of our health difficulties, or at least aggravates these conditions.  What does this mean?  Maybe you don't feel stressed, or there is no way to alleviate the conditions that bring stress to you.  Stress is a measurable, physiological response to external stimuli.  We were hardwired millenia ago to respond to a sense of danger with a prescribed "fight or flight" response.  Our modern fast-paced lifestyles leave us in a chronic agitated state.

For example, it has been a normal day of work, child care, grocery shopping, lunch out with friends, laundry, gardening or volunteering (sounds busy to me!), and just before sleep, you decide to relax with a good movie.  Logically you know that the chase scene in that movie is pretend, but your brain is busily sending all the signals to your muscles, blood vessels, hormones, etc. that the chase scene is happening for real.  The images that you thought were going to help you unwind at the end of a long day only further aggravate your nervous system.  Your sleep time is sometimes anything but restful - grinding of teeth, bathroom visits, crying children, snoring partners.  When does the nervous system get a break?

Your body is designed for an equal number of hours of active work and rest.  During the active part of the day, the sympathetic nervous system is dominant and during rest, the parasympathetic nervous system dominates.  Is it safe to say that hardly anyone gets 12 hours of rest in a day?  Week after week, year after year, you are literally burning out.

Yoga therapy is like power resting.  The body, mind and breath move as one to deeply calm and balance the nervous system, helping to repair some of the damage.  Cumulatively, over several sessions, real healing comes.

Yoga therapy is gentle, accessible, affordable and suitable for any body type.  Please set aside the stereotype that one needs to be flexible to benefit from yoga.  That person is called a gymnast.  A yoga practitioner is one who is conscious of marrying the mind, body and breath.  Here at the studio, we have several weekly class times when participants can use a chair or other supports in order to experience the healing benefits of regular yoga practice.

PRIVATE SESSIONS

The group energy of a regular yoga class has many benefits.  There are times, however, that a personalized and customized practice makes sense. 

Your first session will consist of an intake interview where we will review your personal reasons for seeking therapy and look at what is happening for you now in terms of physical structure, mental outlook and personal stress.  This typically lasts about 60 minutes.  You will receive a written program with diagrams/photos within a week so you can continue your therapeutic practice at home.  Your personalized practice will include asana (physical stretches), often modified to enhance your healing, as well as breathing exercises, suggestions for mindful visualizations, diet and lifestyle (ayurvedic) tips.  The fee for a private session is $75 including HST. 

Follow up sessions may be desired to update the program, add more elements to the program or if the private sessions are proving therapeutic.  The cost for follow up sessions is $45 including HST.

To book your session, please email yoganetworkniagara@hotmail.com or call Cheryl at 905 328 3397.

"Thanks for the summary of our session. I did try the alternate breathing this morning and found it a great way to start my day.
I can't tell you how much a difference you have made in my life since we started our sessions together. I really appreciate how supportive you have been of my quirks. " ...  Female, 49 yrs.