THERAPEUTIC YOGA

Therapeutic yoga is a combination of physical postures, breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices designed to decrease chronic stress, increase embodied self-awareness, and encourage integration between body, brain, and mind.  Current research is validating yoga as a supportive adjunct treatment for a wide variety of mental and physical health issues including depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, ADHD, PTSD, cancer treatment and chronic pain.  

From a holistic perspective, lack of integration between the brain, body, and mind can cause stress and contribute to impaired health.  Therapeutic yoga reduces chronic stress and encourages integration by activating the relaxation response, encouraging deep physiological rest. 

Yoga also increases embodied self-awareness, a vital component of an integrated, healthy sense of self. Embodied self-awareness is a felt sense of oneself, both physically and emotionally, in the present moment.  Developing embodied self-awareness (feeling the self), as opposed to conceptual self-awareness (thinking about the self), often enables people to feel more deeply connected to themselves, others, and the world around them.  

PRIVATE YOGA THERAPY SESSIONS

Private yoga therapy sessions include restorative yoga postures, gentle or active movement, breathwork, and guided meditation.  Yoga props such as blankets, bolsters, and blocks are often used to support the body and release deeply held muscular tension.  Sessions may focus on recognizing habitual postural patterns and related thoughts and emotions; learning to use the breath for self-regulation; cultivating greater compassion towards oneself and one’s body; and staying with present moment sensations while letting go of judgmental thoughts.

Detailed assessment and evaluation allow for a practice tailored to individual needs.  The goal is to develop a sustainable yoga practice that can be continued on one’s own.  Handouts with exercises and meditations are provided as well as instruction on how to bring mindfulness practices into daily life.    

To set up an appointment or for more information, please email: joannawiederhorn@gmail.com

ABOUT

Joanna Wiederhorn, LMSW, RYT 500, has been teaching yoga since 2009.  She previously taught group classes at Yogaworks, numerous other yoga studios and fitness centers throughout New York, as well as in corporate settings including Bloomberg and J Crew. Joanna spent two years teaching yoga and mindfulness to patients at The Brattleboro Retreat, an inpatient psychiatric hospital in Southern Vermont and has provided bedside therapeutic yoga to hospice patients through Visiting Nurse Services of New York.  Joanna has also taught yoga classes designed to reduce symptoms of burnout and compassion fatigue to nurses, mental health workers, attorneys, and social workers.  Joanna works privately with clients who come to her with a wide range of physical and emotional concerns. 

Joanna received her RYT 500 hour yoga teaching certification from Yogaworks.  She has since trained in both restorative and trauma sensitive yoga as well as studied Sivananda yoga and Vipassana meditation in India.  Joanna received a bachelor’s degree in modern dance and philosophy from Skidmore College and most recently a master’s degree in clinical social work from Smith College.