Supported Stretches

"Yoga" is a word loaded with connotations and perceptions - none of which apply to Yoga Therapy sessions through Integrative InSight. I spend more time trying to explain what a session isn't ("it isn't a class", "I don't actually teach", etc) than what a session is. The beauty of the supported stretches in the types of Yoga Therapy that I do is that the client doesn't need to know anything about yoga. Leave that to me ...

Your body retains two types of tension: natural tension and unnatural tension. Your body has to have natural tension otherwise your muscles would be so limp, you would be a human puddle on the floor. Natural tension is necessary to hold ourselves in any position other than sprawled on the floor. Unnatural tension is all of the additional, unnecessary tension that we collect and retain within us. This is insidious because it can happen so slowly over time that you aren't even aware that you are holding your body in an unnatural position.

Consider this ... Recall a time when you injured your leg or knee or ankle. The injury wasn't bad enough to slow you down, but you favored the injured leg when walking. And within a couple of days, it was the other leg that was hurting! By favoring the first leg, you inadvertently put additional stress on the good leg, maybe by shifting your weight or moving differently. This is an example of an effect of unnatural tension. Notice how you didn't even notice you were doing it until the other leg started sending warning signals to you? This is why it is insidious - we are so busy with everything else in our lives that we don't pay attention to this tension. And yet, it is there.

Supported stretches used in both Thai Yoga Therapy and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy encourage the client to relax past the unnatural tension. While I love the thought of a massage, the effects rarely stay with me for very long because the massage doesn't allow me to relax past my unnatural tension. The photos on this page demonstrate different ways that I encourage a deep, full back stretch. The photo at the top is a classic Phoenix Rising stretch, while the one to the right is a class Thai Yoga stretch. Supported stretches are based on the belief that if the body is properly aligned and muscles are completely supported at the point tension is first observed, then the body will slowly start to relax into that support and slowly relax past the unnatural tension.

The beauty of both Thai Yoga Therapy and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy is that you, as the client, don't need to worry about any of the logistics. I will do all adjustments and propping necessary for your body to feel safe enough to relax past your unnatural tension. All stretches are done within each client's unique range of motion, through constant communication between you and me, and with the mutual acknowledgment that range of motion can change from session to session. Your body might be looser or tighter than the last time - that is perfectly normal, and is taken into account within each session. While most stretches are performed on the floor, many of them can be adapted to a seated position in a chair or even for someone who is bed-ridden. My emphasis is always on each client's unique needs at the time of that particular session.

I schedule private sessions during the "Available for Private Yoga Therapy Sessions" slots noted on the calendar. Be aware that the calendar reflects my general availability on a weekly basis, but does not reflect sessions I have already booked. Please contact me if you would like to schedule a session.