Yoga Therapy

YOGA THERAPY

Felice Rhiannon, Yoga Therapist

Yoga is an ancient gem, equal parts art and science. Yoga Therapy is one of this gem's most beautiful facets. It focuses on the health and well-being of the whole person.

Yoga Therapy takes into account the individual's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects, and serves to bring them into harmony and balance. The therapeutic use of Yoga is an experiential process that leads to the understanding of Yoga's primary intention: awakening your essential nature, your Spirit, the true self. This process is unique to each person as Yoga Therapy sees each individual as an expression and reflection of infinite possibilities and intelligence. Therefore the Yoga Therapist, as guide and mentor, must select, modify and adapt the practices of yoga to suit your changing needs.

The one-to-one Yoga Therapy process begins with a thorough evaluation of your present condition and past experiences. This includes physical health, emotional/psychological strength and weakness, the role of stress in your life, and your goals for creating a joyful, harmonious life. With your consent, consultation with other health care professionals may be part of this initial evaluation. Yoga brings you many gifts in the form of various practices. Each Yoga Therapy session emphasizes the ones that will be most helpful and rewarding to you as a unique individual. The therapist can draw from a vast array of:

physical postures (modified and adapted to suit the individual)
breathing practices
guided imagery
deep relaxation
chanting
visualization
meditation

These practices will unify into a personalized healing process for you as a whole person. Because each practice is tailored to your specific needs and abilities, you will be able to practice at home between sessions. This increases the benefits as well as moving you deeper into your process of healing and self-realization. Your current condition creates the background for moving forward with your practices, which change as you change. Many specific conditions respond well to Yoga Therapy including:

stress-related conditions
cancer
depression
anxiety
musculo-skeletal conditions (arthritis, joint issues, etc.)
digestive conditions (irritable bowl syndrome, colitis, etc.)
heart disease
respiratory conditions (asthma, bronchial conditions, etc.)
multiple sclerosis
issues of aging
m.e./chronic fatigue
other chronic conditions

In small group classes you can explore practices that are traditionally thought to benefit particular conditions. This allows you to explore yoga in an environment of support and community with others who are living with the same condition. The classes are small so that the therapist can address each person’s particular situation.

Felice has over 1000 hours of training as a yoga teacher and yoga therapist. She qualified as a Professional Yoga Therapist at Integrative Yoga Therapy after completing general yoga teacher training at the Shambhava School of Yoga. She also holds a Certificate in Restorative Yoga from the Santa Barbara Yoga Center. Felice is registered as aYoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance UK and is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Felice’s years of yoga practice inspired her to write A Vibrant Life: Yoga in the Middle Years and Beyond, a primer of classical and modified practices for all levels of ability. She also has a three-decades long background in meditation and the exploration of human consciousness, as well as in Traditional Chinese Acupuncture, which she practiced for 13 years prior to training in yoga.

At The Dyke Road Natural Health Centre Felice offers one-to-one sessions as well as small group classes that focus on particular health challenges.

Fees

First appointment			£55 for 90 minutes
Follow up appointments			£45 for 60 minutes
Concessionary rates available on request.

Please ring 01273 311294 for further information and to book a session.
A complementary 20-minute phone consultation is available.