What is yoga?

Very brief history and Arrie's approach

Yoga is an Ancient Indian practice which first developed through the wisdom of the Vedas. Over the millennia the practice and philosophy has been influenced by hermits and gurus practicing out in the far reaches of nature: high in the Himalayas and deep in the jungles of India, as well as teachers living and working in the cites and towns. Yoga has historically been influenced by eastern philosophies such as Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as the holistic medical science of Ayurveda.

In more modern times, due to the colonial efforts of Europeans, the practice of yoga, along with a number of other eastern philosophies and practices have circulated the world over. The globalization of the yoga practice has brought in a number of other influences the world over such as modern psychology, exercise science, and western medicine.

For my purposes, here on this website and in my practice and teachings, I want to honor both the history of the roots of the practice as well as appreciate it’s development over time. I approach yoga through the sense of therapeutics and personal development, bound more to efficacy and discernment than to tradition. For me the root of yoga philosophy and practice is to live life fully and authentically. There is insight and wisdom in both the tradition and modern research; the purely physical approach as well as the metaphysical.

My intention is to:

encourage those who find the most value in their own personal practice
offer a safe-space to explore the practice in groups
support therapeutic and spiritual processes

What is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga therapy is a holistic methodology that understands that a person's wellbeing is influenced by their whole self. Issues of the mind affect the body, and issues of the body affect the mind, and the individual is imbedded in community and environment which affect both the mind and body.

A yoga therapist is trained in using yoga philosophy and practices to help support clients with a variety of issues, including but not limited to:

chronic low back pain
sciatica
arthritis pain
digestive issues
depression
anxiety
grief
existential dread
spiritual crisis
deconstructing faith

The scope of practice of yoga therapy is necessarily broad, and works best when in collaboration with other medical professionals and therapies especially in the cases of very acute issues.

Virtual Yoga Therapy

A virtual yoga therapy session offered through Zoom. For this session you'll need:

a stable internet connection
a computer or phone with Zoom
a microphone, speakers, or wireless headset.
a yoga mat, or some soft flooring to practice on

Some other things you might like:

an open wall space
pillows and blankets (for comfort)
stable props like a yoga block, or a piece of furniture close by

In-person yoga therapy

In-person yoga therapy is offered in-home (for an additional fee) and in office at 118 East Hospital Street, Nacogdoches, TX suite 300.

In person sessions offer the opportunity to engage with the practice in a quiet safe space and can include working hands-on. Physical contact and proximity can offer a very different experience than the online or even group based sessions. Due to the powerful nature of touch it is always optional and will be communicated. As is the nature of consent, it can be revoked at any time in the process.

Book a session

For Clinicians

Yoga therapy, at its core, is using yoga philosophy and practices in therapeutic service of the client. It is client-centered and holistic, and is regulated by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). The basic credentials to become certified is an additional 1000-hours over at least two years of instruction on top of experience teaching yoga classes.

I often describe yoga therapy to the lay person as somewhere between physical therapy and mental health therapy. What I do looks a lot like physical therapy or uses counseling techniques, but the intention and the scope is different.

For more information on scope of practice click here.

For Physicians

As a holistic modality, yoga therapy as I practice it, respects and honors the expertise and experience of medical professionals.

The goal of yoga therapy as it relates to medicine:

Empower lifestyle changes by building awareness around unhealthy behaviors.
Provide emotional and moral support around the realities of the healing process, including pain management and coping with disabilities.

For bodyworkers

(chiropractors, physical therapists, personal trainers)

Yoga therapy can compliment physical therapy in these ways:

Increased adherence to physical therapy exercises
Helping clients to relax and reduce muscle tension
Addressing the psycho-emotional elements associated with pain, injury, and disability

For Mental Health Therapists

Yoga therapy can support the counseling process in these ways:

Mindfulness and body awareness
Somatic acceptance
Experience navigating trauma triggers in a safe environment.

Every client is different, yet typically yoga therapy for clients who are seeing a mental health professional on a regular basis will focus on the present moment experience of the client.

Yoga therapy is different than “trauma informed yoga,” in that it is not about stopping or preventing triggers, but rather creating a space that allows for triggers to arise and pass in a contained space.

"Yoga therapy is a holistic healing art. Rather than prescribe treatments, it invites presence and awareness. Using age-old yogic approaches to deeper presence and awareness, we are able to know ourselves more fully. Out of that knowing, we are more easily moved to embrace the opportunity for change, growth, and enhanced well-being in body, feelings, thought, and spirit."