Mind-Body Connection...
The Sanskrit word for yoga means "yoke"or to join. This can be translated to mean yoking or joining of the mind and body. Yoga is based on the belief that the body and breath are connected with the mind. By using the breath and holding the body in postures we create harmony in our mind and body.
When we experience stress or trauma we also experience the symptoms in the body. Such as rapid heart beat, shortness of breath, feeling tightness in the chest, digestive issues, pain in the muscles, back issues. The list can be endless. Through working with the body and using yoga we release these tensions and bring peace to the mind. This is done through mindful body movements. Where movements are synchronized with the breath. When we heal the body the mind is also healed. The body is used as a tool to heal the mind.
Yoga Therapy
What yoga therapy does is bring the individual into the present moment. Through yoga/movement, breath work and meditation, trauma and stress in the body are released allowing the mind to follow in this state. We treat the individual as a whole person. We are not just a mind, we are also a body. And we use the body as a tool to bring health and stability to the mind.
In the one to one yoga therapy sessions Harjean will use specific yoga postures, meditations and breath work according to the individuals needs and requirements. Harjean will develop a set of yoga sequences depending on what the individual is experiencing and their level of yoga. Many of Harjean's clients have never done yoga yet they have experienced great results and transformations.
Forward Bend...
The benefits of foward bend is endless from calming the mind to releasing tension in the back of the body. We hold a lot of emotions in the back of the legs and by stretching them we release this. This posture is especially great for women. We should be doing this posture several times a day as an almost check in or emotional assessment. Tight hamstrings can be a sign of internalised stress.
Half Bridge pose...
Backbending relieves anxiety and stress. Re-aligns the spine. Opens the chest. Stretches the internal organs. Its basically a full front body stretch. However backbending brings up many strong emotions. This is because we are opening the heart. After performing a backbend we may feel emotions such as anger, sadness or frustration. Some have experienced fits of laughter. Whatever we feel it is important not to get attached to the emotion and remain present through listening to our breath. Old emotions get stored in our body and it is important to let them go and not to hold on to them. This is where yoga comes into play. Yoga helps to release old emotions that are stored in the body. When our body is free of emotional baggage our mind will also become clear and present!