Yoga therapy is different from a group yoga class and private yoga instruction. In yoga therapy, the yoga therapist works one-on-one with an individual to explore specific health, mental health or spiritual concerns, examining the concerns from a yogic perspective and empowering the individual to make changes using the teachings and practices of yoga. It is not physical therapy or psychotherapy, rather it helps the client use the tools of yoga to restore balance in areas of their life that are imbalanced. It is a holistic approach to wellness that equally addresses body, mind, and spirit. For more on what yoga therapy is, visit the International Association of Yoga Therapists website.

Private yoga instruction may include client goals but yoga therapy includes a thorough intake form and multiple assessments. Based on these assessments and client goals, the yoga therapist and client work together to create a treatment plan. The client works on the treatment plan between sessions. During sessions the therapist helps to refine the plan, address barriers, and mitigate any in-the-moment concerns. This is different from private yoga where the teacher would create a personalized sequence and lead the student for the whole session. Yoga therapy sessions will always include yoga techniques (such as movement, meditation, breathwork, etc.) but may include more talking depending on the concerns and goals.

If you think private yoga may be a better fit for you, read more here. You can also schedule a free consultation and I can help you determine the best fit.

You can be anywhere in the world! Sessions can be conducted online via Zoom or for local clients, in your own home (within 20 minutes of central Detroit). You will select the location when booking.

The first session is a 90 minute assessment session. All subsequent sessions are 60 minutes. The second session involves development of an individualized treatment plan.

My sessions always begin with a quick check-in assessment, then an opening activity (such as a short meditation, breathing practice, or simple movement). For the initial assessment, I will clarify items from an intake you fill out beforehand and ask for any other pertinent information. This session will usually include more talking than follow-up sessions. We will then do a variety of assessments, such as assessing your posture, breathing, range of movement, etc. These may continue in the second session or be ongoing, especially if we want to look at change over time. For follow-up sessions, after the opening activity, we have a conversation- I ask what has been going on in your life since our last session, how the treatment plan has been going, what barriers you’ve run into, etc. We will then work on elements from the treatment plan or possibly revise or add to the treatment plan. The treatment plan includes various yoga techniques such as movement, breath, and meditation.

Yoga therapy may include asana (movements), pranayama (breath-work), meditation, mudra (hand gestures), bandha (energy locks), mantra(sacred sounds), mindfulness, bhavana (imagery), sankalpa (affirmation/intention), relaxation techniques such as body scans, progressive muscle relaxation, or yoga nidra (guided rest), chakra exploration (energy centers), Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine), yogic lifestyle, yoga philosophy, and other practices in the yoga tradition. I will help you find the right yoga tools to continue to practice at home for your healing.

I have been teaching yoga for over a decade and studying yoga therapy since 2019. I received my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification in 2010 through the Asheville Yoga Center. I received my 300 hour Foundations in Yoga Therapy Certification in June 2020. I received my 800 hour Yoga Therapy Certification through Inner Peace Yoga Therapy in 2022. Inner Peace Yoga Therapy is accredited through the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

I have received training in yoga for: trauma (3 different trainings), back pain, injury prevention, anxiety and depression, grief, pain, addiction, cancer, functional yoga therapy, the chakras, and Ayurveda.

I have a Master’s in Social Work from Wayne State University and am licensed in the state of Michigan. I studied clinical practice and CBT, and interned at an agency that incorporated therapeutic yoga for eating disorders. Since graduating, I has done work in research, evaluation, program planning, and teaching. Read more about me here.

Disclaimer: Yoga therapy services are based on certification through the International Association of Yoga Therapists, graduate-level training in mental health, and additional continuing education seminars and workshops. It is not derived from status as a RYT with Yoga Alliance.

As this is individualized, 1:1 work, it is more expensive than a group yoga class. The intro 1.5 hour assessment session is $135 and follow-ups are $110 if purchased individually or $90-$95/session when purchases as a package. I also offer split payments for packages and partial scholarships to increase the accessibility of yoga therapy. For more on Pricing Options please click HERE.