Yoga Therapy
I offer a FREE initial video call lasting approx 15 minutes so we can discuss your interest in yoga therapy. No ‘discovery call’, no sales pitch, no obligation to book. Simply an opportunity to see if I am the right therapist for you.
What is yoga therapy?
Yoga therapy is increasingly being recognised as a valuable complementary practice within healthcare for both mental & physical health conditions. Yoga therapists have been trained to assess each persons unique needs, goals, lifestyle and health conditions and then design a practice using a range of practices. This might include movement, breathwork, lifestyle guidance, relaxation and more all carefully tailored and adapted for the individual.
This is a collaborative process with the client and is grounded in safety, ethics, and evidence informed practice. Yoga therapy meets you where you are in order to support your physical, mental, emotional and spirituak needs in a very intentional and structured way, giving you tools you can apply whenever and wherever to maintain balance in your life.
There are many different approaches depending on the therapist & their personal interest or area of expertise. My professional background is mental health, I have an MA in social work, a postgraduate diploma in Applied Mental Health. I worked in the NHS for 10 years on a Community Mental Health Team with people who had complex mental, physical, emotional & social needs.
As such my primary interest is in supporting people through the challenges life throws at us. It could be that you are experiencing a difficult situation or period of your life. Perhaps you are the one who gives and listens to everyone else and need some time and space for someone to hold you in a judgement free space.
Is it the same as counselling?
No. I have not trained to be a counsellor or psychotherapist/psychologist.My approach to Yoga therapy is a talking therapy using ancient yoga philosophies as our framework, but it differs to counselling or psychotherapy in that yoga focusses on the here and now and what it is that you would like to change or be different going forwards, whether that be physical or emotional. Unless you want to tell me about your childhood or past experiences we do not have to discuss it at all. The sessions are entirely “person centered”, meaning you set the tone and share only what you are comfortable with.
But isn’t all yoga therapeutic?
A common misconception! But no. On a physical level some postures can cause risk of injury or exacerbate existing illness or injury. On an emotional level being instructed to close your eyes, words or phrases a the teacher uses during the class or songs they play may be triggering or perhaps increase anxiety. Breath or pranayama practices are not always suitable for everyone on a mental or physical level and we often feel the pressure of doing exactly as the teacher is saying even if we have awareness it’s not feeling great for us.
Yoga teachers, even yoga teachers who are qualified yoga therapists are not able to manage the emotional needs or health conditions of everyone in a general group class. You may have a favourite teacher whose classes and approach you find really beneficial & personally therapeutic which is always amazing! However unless a qualified yoga therapist is running a class for a specific health need or condition, neither the class or the teacher are using yoga therapeutically. Myself included.
Is Yoga Therapy regulated?
Yes yoga therapists in the UK are regulated by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) read about them, their code of conduct & ethics & complaints procedure here . The CNHCs register of practitioners have been approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health & Social Care. Therapists have to have completed a recognised training in order to register with the CNHC. If someone is claiming to offer yoga therapy or yoga therapeutics make sure they are registered & have completed a recognised training. I am also registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) who are responsible for ensuring anyone holding confidential information is keeping that safe and secure.
Where do appointments take place?
You can either come to my home studio in Chorlton south Manchester, if that is convenient. However, as my approach to yoga therapy is predominantly talking as opposed to physical demands of a group yoga class it works really well over video call, so we can work together wherever you are in the UK or further afield.
I can visit you in your own home for an additional cost. Please contact me to enquire.
How much does it cost?
Individual adhoc sessions - £65 p/h
5 sessions paid in advance - £315 - (valid for 6 months)
10 sessions paid in advance - £600 (valid for 8 months)
Cancellation Policy…
There is a 24hr cancellation policy. There is a link in your booking confirmation that allows you to do this. You can also contact me to request a date or time change provided you are giving me at least 24hrs notice.
Any cancellations or date/time requests made within 24hrs of the appointment start time will not be eligble for a refund