Spring 2013

a publication of The International Association of Therapists YogaTherapyToday Volume 9, Issue 1, $5

Interview with Bo Forbes, PsyD Scholar, Healer, Maverick

Feature Article Yoga Therapy in a Pediatric Hospital Perspectives Crossing the Divide between Yoga Therapy and Research

The Road to YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org IAYT Thanks our Sponsors for Joining Us on the Front Line for the Most In-Depth Yoga Therapy Conferences of 2013. SYR (Symposium on Yoga Research) and SYTAR (Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research) are offered back-to-back June 11–16 • Boston Marriott Newton in Massachusetts Presented by the International Association of Yoga Therapists• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Diamond Sponsor

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Exhibitors Bridgebuilders to Awareness in Healthcare

Media Sponsors

Association Sponsors Academic Sponsors Editor’s Note YogaTherapyToday ometimes when I’ve mentioned yoga for mental health, I’ve PUBLISHER International Association of received the response, “Isn’t all Yoga Therapists S yoga about mental health?” EDITOR IN CHIEF Kelly Birch, ERYT-500, PYT-500 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ken Wilson COPYEDITORS Denise Hodges Yes, of course, to some degree. However, another way of looking at Yoga Therapy Today is published in the spring, summer, and winter. it, and the viewpoint of several con- tributors to this issue, is that when IAYT BOARD & MANAGEMENT yoga practices are targeted specifi- Eleanor Criswell, EdD, President cally toward improving mental health Matra Raj, OTR, TYC, Treasurer it implies some specialized knowledge of a wide range of mental Molly Lannon Kenny, Vice President health issues, from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia and Bidyut K. Bose, PhD psychosis, that we might encounter in our clients and students. Bob Butera, MDiv, PhD, E-RYT Even something as common as anxiety is on a spectrum, from Dilip Sarkar, MD mild, adaptive anxiety to PTSD. And so, as yoga educators and Ellen Fein, LCSW, RYT-500 therapists it’s important that we be aware of what we are trained Susan Gould-Fogerite, PhD Executive Director John Kepner, MA, MBA to do with our clients, and where our competency gaps are. Just Membership Manager Jesse Gonzales as Loren Fishman discussed in the last issue in terms of struc- Advertising Manager Abby M. Geyer tural yoga, it’s essential to know what you don’t know, as well as what you do know. MISSION IAYT supports research and education in yoga, and serves as a pro- The articles in this issue focus on different aspects of yoga fessional organization for yoga teachers and yoga therapists world- and mental health. wide. Our mission is to establish yoga as a recognized and respect- ed therapy. We hear from two pioneers in this field: from Michelle Fury, our feature article is an inspiring in-depth description of her work MEMBERSHIP at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the specific issues she IAYT membership is open to yoga practitioners, yoga teachers, yoga encounters with teaching young people there; and from Bo therapists, yoga researchers, and healthcare professionals who uti- lize yoga in their practice. Forbes, a fascinating interview discussing the integration of psy- chotherapy and yoga therapy, sure to spark a conversation on MEMBER BENEFITS this topic. Grace Bullock offers some lessons learned from psy- • Subscription to the International Journal of Yoga Therapy chology research that may inform research in yoga and mental • Subscription to Yoga Therapy Today health, including how we might approach studying the more eso- • Access to IAYT’s research resources and digital library teric aspects of yoga. Bob and Kristen Butera offer a clear and • Professional recognition through IAYT’s online listings accessible approach to teaching meditation to our students, tak- and an IAYT membership certificate ing into account each person’s abilities and preferences. Lee • Discounted registration at IAYT events Majewski offers sage advice and examples from the field of teaching to youth with mental health issues; psychiatrist Mort CONTACT Kissen writes in elegant and moving prose on yoga and grief. P. O. Box 12890, Prescott, AZ 86304 This issue’s training report is on yoga for mental health, and we Phone: 928-541-0004 (M-F, 9AM – 3PM MST) Fax: 928-541-0182 are lucky to have more useful business advice from Jacob Gris- www.iayt.org • [email protected] som in part two of his trilogy of articles. Sadly, we say goodbye to our knowledgeable, compassionate, and wise columnist for Men- HOW TO SUBMIT TO YOGA THERAPY TODAY tor’s Corner, yoga therapy teacher trainer Robin Rothenberg. Writers Please see the call for new columnists below (each contributes Email a query or completed article to: [email protected]. Yoga for three issues) and a reminder to send in your questions. Therapy Today relies on submissions from the membership. Please submit reports and articles on training, views and insights relating to Finally, as you will have noticed, we have redesigned YTT. the field and profession of yoga therapy, as well as on integrative As editor, I felt it was time to update the look to be cleaner and practices and business practices. Request writer guidelines from more modern. My designer and I brainstormed and came up editor. Articles are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis and with a new design that we feel is fresher, more inviting, and may be submitted at any time. more readable. We hope you agree! Advertisers Call 928-541-0004 or email [email protected] for advertising In service rates and deadlines. Editorial decisions are made independently of Kelly advertising arrangements. REPRINT POLICY Calling for Mentor’s Corner IAYT’s reprint policy applies to all articles in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy and Yoga Therapy Today. Fee: $1 per copy per columnists and questions article. The policy works on the honor system, e.g., if two articles If you would like to nominate someone to contribute a are copied for 25 students, please send IAYT a check for $50 and series of three Mentor’s Corner columns, or are interested in note “for reprints” on the check. Questions? Email Jesse Gonzales, writing them yourself, please contact the editor, Kelly Birch, Member Services Manager, at [email protected] or 928-541-0004. at [email protected]. And, remember to send in your questions to Mentor’s Corner! ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT This publication is printed using soy-based inks. The paper contains 30% recycled fiber. It is bleached without using chlorine and the Cover: Bo Forbes teaches the art of propping supported reclining twist wood pulp is harvested from sustainable forests. pose in her Integrative Yoga Therapeutics teacher training. Photo credit: Leili Towfigh © 2013 2 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org TableOfContents Spring 2013

2 Editor’s Note 4 Members News 10 4 IAYT in India By John Kepner, MA, MBA, Executive Director IAYT and Eleanor Criswell, EdD, President IAYT 5 2013 Annual Report to Members By John Kepner, Executive Director 6 Conference Corner Montreal International Symposium on Therapeutic Yoga 2012 By Staffan Elgelid, PhD Yoga, the Brain and Mental Health By Kelly Birch, E-RYT500, PYT-500 8 Yoga Therapy for Daily Living How to Atrract, Enroll, and Retain Clients 20 By Jacob Griscom 10 Feature Article Yoga Therapy in a Pediatric Hospital: A Mental Health Approach By Michelle Fury, LPC, RCYT 14 Mentor’s Corner: Q&A By Robin Rothenberg, CYT 16 Perspectives 16 The Road to Meditation: Guiding Students to Personal Practice By Robert Butera, MDiv, PdD, and Kristen Butera, E-RYT500, PYT 18 Crossing the Divide between Yoga Therapy and Research: 28 Lessons from the Field of Psychology By B. Grace Marie Bullock, PhD 20 Yoga Therapy in Practice Essential Tips for Teaching Yoga to Youth with Mental Health Issues By Lee Majewski 24 How Yoga Assists with the Grieving Process By Morton Kissen, PhD, Dipl ABPP 28 Interview With Bo Forbes, PsyD By Kelly Birch, E-RYT500, PYT-500 34 34 Training Report The Minded Institute’s Yoga Therapy for Mental Health Training By Eve Menezes Cunningham and Louise Kitchener 38 Review Your Brain on Yoga By Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, PhD, with Jodie Gould Reviewed by Stephanie M. Shorter, PhD 42 Members News 43 IAYT Member Schools 44 2012 IAYT Donors, Patron Members, and Supporting Members www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 3 MembersNews

Panel Discussion: IAYT in India The Need for an International By John Kepner Accreditation Council and Eleanor Criswell in Yoga

ne of IAYT’s goals is to strengthen our connections with the major Oyoga educational, research, and therapy institutions in India. To this end, we traveled to India this past December, visiting three yoga institutes and presenting at two conferences. Several other mem- bers presented at another conference.

At the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute grating yoga, ayurveda, naturopathy, and that participants not familiar with yoga IAYT was well-represented at Kaivalyad- allopathic medicine. Instead of referring to practices could have an experience of hama Yoga Institute’s 7th International their visitors as “patients,” they call them them that led to increased understanding. Conference, December 27–30, 2012—a “participants,” since they actively partici- Everyone was enthusiastic and delighted gathering of over 700 delegates from 15 pate in their healing. This is another clean, to share his or her information. Yoga and countries at their clean, green, and quiet green, and quiet campus, located outside had made a big differ- campus in Lonavla (near Pune, India). of Bangalore. Our thanks to Dr. H.R. ence in their lives. Among the IAYT members presenting Nagendra, vice chancellor, and to Naveen were Sat Bir Khalsa (who has been there K. Visweswaraiah, PhD, associate profes- Many of the Yoga Institute’s books many times as a researcher), Matra Raj sor (and presenter at SYR 2011). were on display, including their guide to (who studied there years ago), Lee teaching yoga in schools. From the begin- Majewski (who has been studying there At the Yoga Institute’s 94th-Year ning, the founder had been adamant since last June), Ananda Balayogi Bha- Celebration about wanting yoga practices to be acces- sible to average citizens, called “house- vanani (long-time IAYT Advisor from We visited the Yoga Institute, Santa Cruz holders.” It was particularly precious to Pondicherry), and first-time attendees, us (E), Mumbai, India, on December 16 and experience the children’s area, where the and Dilip Sarkar. Lee, a yoga teacher and 17, 2012, and were welcomed by Dr. exhibits were staffed by children, who cancer survivor from Canada, is also part Jayadeva and Hansaji Yogendra. The old- were ably communicating the practices to of a team presenting a new yoga-, ayurve- est organized yoga center in the world, other children and adults. da-, and naturopathy-based detoxification the Institute, founded in 1918, was prepar- and rejuvenation program for cancer ing for its 94th-year celebration. The Yoga There were wonderful panels at the patients at the Kaivalyadhama Yogic Institute specializes in a holistic approach event. John participated on a panel bring- Health Center in April and May of 2013. to yoga and yoga education based on ing yoga together with medicine; Eleanor (An article by Lee is on page 20 of this Patanjali’s classical yoga. One thousand spoke on a panel devoted to yoga and issue.) John was on two panels: “The yoga students come through the Yoga education. Need for an International Accreditation Institute each day. The Yoga Institute was Council in Yoga” and “Should Yoga Thera- the first to become an IAYT member pists be Licensed?” Both sessions have school. At the Patanjali Research Founda- already helped us in our own work on tion, the Second International Con- standards by presenting a global perspec- We returned to the Institute on ference on Yoga for Health and tive on the movement toward standards December 25. The graduates and volun- Social Transformation, January and the integration of yoga into health teers of the Yoga Institute had prepared 7–10, 2013 care. We give thanks to Subodh Tiwari, exhibits for every aspect of yoga, from Sat Bir Khalsa and IAYT board members the conference organizer, who will also be through and beyond. A B.K. Bose and Susan Gould-Fogerite pre- presenting at SYTAR 2013. popular exhibit was the research stall, sented at this conference. Our thanks to which included signs, photos, and artifacts Shirley Telles, conference organizer and At Yoga from the Institute’s long research history. presenter at SYTAR 2009 and SYR 2010. Anusandhana Samsthana or We appreciated seeing an original manu- YTT S-VYASA University script of the founder, Shri Yogendraji, We were hosted here for two days, and which concerned his appreciation of the toured the campus, the hospital, and the benefits of yoga for everyone. Another research facility. This is a yoga university, priceless artifact was a set of detailed offering MAs and PhDs in yoga and pub- notes in his handwriting concerning lishing the International Journal of Yoga, patients undergoing therapeutic yoga. or IJOY. They also have a hospital inte- Many of the exhibits were interactive so

4 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org Members News continued

2013 Annual Report to Members

By John Kepner IAYT Executive Director AYT provides four broad programs in Conferences fees. They are listed on our website and support of our mission: (1) publications, you can search for them by location, SYR and SYTAR 2013 are the first confer- (2) conferences, (3) training standards/ name, and program director. I ences that IAYT has presented and pro- program accreditation (forthcoming), and duced entirely by ourselves. See the cen- (4) membership services, all primarily sup- The new IAYT Accreditation Commit- terfold advertisement in this issue. See ported by membership dues. I like to use tee has been hard at work developing an also the new conference website, this structure to report on our progress in application for programs seeking accredi- www.sytar.org. I want to recognize and each of these areas, as well as highlight tation as to meeting these new standards. appreciate all the work and innovations key opportunities and challenges. This application should be ready in mid- that went into the new site by Julie Deife, May. There will be a Meeting of Schools communications consultant, Ken Wilson, First, however, I am pleased to sum- June 12–13 just before SYTAR to review graphics design, and Jean Stojkov, IAYT marize by saying that 2012 was another this application. This is a long process, not webmaster. Please note also the outstand- growth year for IAYT and all our programs. to be rushed, and one of our goals is to ing conference support by our sponsors, IAYT also ended up modestly in the black facilitate collaborative, peer support in this as shown on Page 1 of this issue. We are for the third year in a row. This is critical transition. One model is an academic all but sold-out of sponsorship tables. for us, as well as for all nonprofits, since department that offers a set of core and everything is plowed back into expanded elective programs. I am already seeing The common theme of the afternoon and improved services. And I am the first programs expanding by adding modules sessions at SYTAR is “Competencies in to say that we need to provide new, this way taught by other program directors Action,” all explicitly designed to support expanded, or improved services in several and specialists. I expect more develop- the competencies in the new standards. critical ways: ment along these lines as program direc- We sent out a Call for Proposals last fall, tors have a chance to meet each other and most of the afternoon sessions were • Adequately fund the start-up efforts of and hear more about this at SYTAR. selected this way. We continue to have an the accreditation process. almost overwhelming response to this call, • Take the International Journal of Yoga Funding the start-up costs of a profes- and were only able to accept about 10% Therapy (IJYT) to two issues a year. sional accreditation service in a timely of the proposals. We met our goal to have • Greatly improve the IAYT website. manner is a major challenge for IAYT. at least half of the presenters new to These costs are higher and more concen- SYTAR, but we will still be exploring ways Publications trated than the standards effort, in part to provide more opportunities for members because we have three face-to-face meet- B. Grace Bullock, PhD, joined us as the to share their expertise with their peers. ings this year, including a retreat in Febru- new editor-in-chief of the International The Common Interest Community (CIC) ary, the meeting of schools in June, and a Journal of Yoga Therapy, and produced sessions are one way, based upon short, meeting to review the first round of appli- an outstanding debut issue. Since IJYT “TED Talk”-like presentations. This year cations in mid-August. was indexed in PubMed in 2011, our sub- we have a new session, “Rehab Profes- missions have soared. We now have an sionals: Bridging the Past with the Future,” I emphasize here that the Accredita- opportunity to expand the journal to two conceived by Matthew Taylor. Our other tion Committee is focused on accrediting issues a year. It’s actually an imperative CIC session, “Mental, Emotional, and Spir- programs, not credentialing individuals. for the growth of our journal and our field. itual Health,” has historically been our While we have published some initial The challenge is funding. You can help by most popular session. New for 2013 is a guidelines for grandfathering individuals, encouraging your academic library to take special seminar, “Ayurveda 101 for Yoga we have a long way to go to have a com- out a subscription to both IJYT and Yoga Therapists,” in part to support our mem- plete method to address this important but Therapy Today (YTT) via their normal sub- bers’ growing interest in ayurveda. very thorny issue for any field developing scription channels. standards. We will discuss this at a spe- Educational Standards and cial meeting at SYTAR and in periodic Yoga Therapy Today, under the lead- Accreditation notices on our website. ership of Kelly Birch, continues to grow as The final “Educational Standards for the a valuable resource and forum for mem- Training of Yoga Therapists” were pub- bers, and I am always proud to show this Membership lished July 1, 2012, on our website. This is off to others outside of our membership. IAYT membership continues to grow, with a fundamental milestone for our field. As a magazine, however, YTT does not approximately 3,000 individual members These competency-based standards are lend itself to the single—article hosting at year end, an increase of 8% over the approximately at the level of a profession- and indexing system that we use with year before, and 100 school members, an al master’s degree in yoga therapy and an MetaPress. So, starting with this issue, increase of 19% from 2011. Membership intriguing result has indeed been the num- Kelly will now also be preparing YTT in a services is held together single-handedly ber of colleges now inquiring about start- flipping-book version that will be available by Jesse Gonzales, our long-term intrepid ing a master’s degree in our field. We owe online for download and that can be read manager. I regularly hear praises about a huge thanks to the hardworking mem- on all your devices-desktop, laptop, tablet, her personal service to so many members. bers of the Educational Standards Com- phone. This should greatly expand the util- mittee. We also owe a huge thanks to all ity of YTT, especially for the approximately the schools that have been supporting this (Annual Report and Members News 30% of our members who are digital process with their school membership continued on page 42) members only. www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 5 ConferenceCorner

Montreal International 2-hour sessions on different topics. By speakers, several of whom were IAYT having the speakers present twice, the members who flew from the United States Symposium on Thera- participants had an increased chance of for the weekend specifically for the confer- peutic Yoga 2012 attending at least one of the sessions of ence: Patricia Gerbarg, MD; Richard (MISTY). their favorite speaker. Many of the speak- Brown, MD; Sat Bir Khalsa, PhD; Sara October 20–21 at the Westin Montreal ers also attended other speaker’s ses- Lazar, PhD; and Chris Streeter, MD. Hotel. Montreal, Quebec. sions, and there was lots of sharing and Speakers from the United Kingdom were By Staffan Elgelid respect between the speakers and partici- Mira Mehta, MPhil; David Beales, MD; and pants during the lively sessions. Robin Monro, PhD, a yoga therapist and he Second Montreal International former molecular biology researcher, who Symposium on Therapeutic Yoga MISTY is a conference that will con- chaired Saturday’s morning session. T(MISTY) took place October 20–21, tinue to grow. MISTY features some of the 2012, in Montreal, Quebec. One of leading speakers in the field of yoga thera- Throughout the three days we were MISTY’s aims is to educate and open a py, including many members of IAYT, a treated to a rich program of presentations dialogue with yoga therapists and yoga sponsor of this event. Not many confer- held in the large lecture hall, which com- teachers, as well as more traditional ences can offer such high-level speakers fortably accommodated the 290+ atten- healthcare providers such as osteopaths, in two languages, in an atmosphere that is dees. A wealth of information was shared chiropractors, medical doctors, physiother- so open and conducive to sharing and by the eloquent speakers: signaling path- apists, and health organizations, on how interconnectedness between the speakers ways of the body and mind (David yoga therapy can support traditional medi- and the audience. I believe that MISTY Beales); a review of the research and cine. In that spirit, the first session on Sat- 2013 will continue in the tradition of the practices of yoga as they relate to mental urday was a panel debate with yoga ther- MISTY 2011 and 2012, and I strongly rec- health (Heather Mason); original research apists and traditional practitioners that ommend anyone who wants to shape the on yoga and neurotransmitters (Chris work in different settings on how to best future of yoga therapy, and how yoga ther- Streeter) and neuroplasticity (Sara Lazar); interface with traditional medicine. The apy will interconnect with traditional medi- classical yoga psychology (Mira Mehta); members of the panel and audience also cine, to attend MISTY 2013. breath techniques and emotion regulation discussed the topic of licensing/certifica- (Patricia Gerbarg and Richard Brown); and tion/credentialing of yoga therapists. The yoga for mental health conditions (Sat Bir audience participated in the debate and Khalsa). The presentations were combined many interesting ideas on the above top- Yoga, the Brain and with practical, complementary workshops ics were discussed. interspersed between lectures. The work- Mental Health shops were taught by some of the speak- London, England, November 2–4, 2012. MISTY is a unique type of conference ers as well as several teachers from the By Kelly Birch in that it features sessions in English and Minded Institute of London. French. Approximately half the sessions he idea for a conference arose when are in English and half in French. This As a native of England now living and Heather Mason, MA, founder of the leads to an eclectic mix of participants and working in the United States, I was thrilled Minded Institute, contacted Jane presenters who otherwise might not meet T to be a part of this historic conference— Ryan, the head of a large conference at the same conferences. At MISTY, these the first of its kind on yoga and the brain in organization, Confer, with the hope of two groups get a chance to exchange Europe. The excitement and desire for speaking at a conference. Instead, Jane ideas and share in their common experi- knowledge and collegiate connection was suggested that given Heather’s back- ences. So MISTY supports not only inter- palpable, from the enthusiastic questions ground, they should coordinate an entire connectedness between traditional medi- during the lectures to the buzz of conver- conference together! cine and yoga therapy but also between sation in the breaks. During each break, the English- and French-speaking yoga IAYT’s table was inundated with visitors. Yoga, the Brain and Mental Health therapy communities. As the idea of integrating yoga therapy was held at the School of Oriental and and psychology is a relatively new phe- African Studies in central London. Partici- The way MISTY is set up fosters nomenon in the United Kingdom, the pants included yoga teachers, yoga thera- interconnectedness and exchange of excitement was brimming over at our pists, mental health professionals (psy- ideas. All the conference rooms were stand. Participants from all backgrounds chologists, therapists, social workers), arranged around a larger area where the were keen to learn more about IAYT, a spon- researchers, and students. The theme of exhibitors were. The participants and sor of this event, and all of our activities. exhibitors also shared meals in that com- the conference was to consider yoga’s function as a body-based therapeutic inter- mon area, as well as concentrating there The conference was so well received vention within the context of modern west- during the breaks. This presented the that plans are already in place for a larger ern society and to explore the role of yoga opportunity for many informal discussions program for next year that may include in the regulation of emotion based on the and exchanges between the participants various stress-related disorders and cur- latest neuroscientific research. and the speakers about the ideas that rent yoga research. were presented during the sessions. Heather Mason, who also spoke, Kudos to Heather and Jane for pulling brought together an impressive lineup of Most of the speakers presented two off this landmark event! YTT

6 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 7 YogaTherapyforDailyLiving How to Attract, Enroll, and Retain Clients

By Jacob Griscom tioners to use a program invest- ment model instead of individual The System for a Successful sessions. Private Practice For example, you may work In business, there are principles and prac- with clients on a weekly basis for tices that can be studied, understood, and six months at a time with the applied to generate consistent results. The option to pay you up front for the results that concern us in the business of six months, or monthly at a slightly our private practice are the numbers of higher rate. Again the reasons for prospective clients we are attracting, the a client to invest and commit to number of new clients we are enrolling, working with you in a program like the retention and results of our clients, this do not have to do with yoga and our financial profit. therapy, they have to do with their health needs and challenges. These are the areas that we need to They are not investing in a “yoga focus on if we want to start or grow a therapy program,” but choosing to financially sustainable practice in which prioritize a weekly focus on their we are able to focus on serving our clients health so that they can reverse and not on inefficient or ineffective busi- challenges and get new results. ness practices. If we put our attention on This is the essence of client studying, understanding, and applying the enrollment. practices of client attraction, enrollment, and retention, then we improve. In fact, Your first conversation with a some small shifts in understanding and client should not be about whether practice can make a big difference, or or not they’d like to schedule a even the difference between being able to session with you. Instead, offer do what we love for a living or not. them a free session that is entirely focused on helping them clarify In this article, I’m going to discuss a mend specializing your work within a niche their vision, goals, and challenges for their step-by-step approach to achieving these audience. It’s much more likely that you’ll health and their life. Be entirely curious results. be able to serve one group of people real- and ask questions about the costs and ly well and attract prospective clients and impacts their current health challenges A Reliable System for Serving referrals when people see that you are have on their life, and the payoffs they People’s Needs focused specifically on them and their would get from reaching their health issues. Even as a general practitioner goals. People in general are not interested or without a specific niche focus, you can concerned with yoga therapy as a profes- focus on the predominant health concerns The most powerful way for clients to sion, as yoga therapists are. They are people are facing: weight management, commit to their own long-term commit- concerned with themselves and their energy, pain, sleep issues, and emotional ment to health and healing is for them to needs. We as providers are accustomed stress (anxiety and depression). In health connect with their inner motivation for it. to the idea of focusing on our clients’ indi- surveys, these are the top challenges that So, rather than telling them that they need vidual needs in terms of treatment, but are consistently reported by respondents. to work with you, let your clients build their when it comes to discussing what we do, own case for working with you. Question we often describe it in terms of the modal- As a yoga therapist, you are not tak- them gently but directly to uncover their ities we use, which prospective clients ing responsibility for their health in the way motivation to commit the time and energy may not relate to their own needs. Howev- that a physician might typically do. You are needed to change behaviors and get er, if we switch the focus to communicat- empowering your clients to change behav- results. Because we are focused on help- ing about the needs that we serve instead iors and implement new practices to ing our clients change behaviors, only a of the modality that we practice, we will address the root causes of their health small portion of the value we offer is our attract more clients challenges. Changing behaviors requires actual recommendation or practice. The more work than taking a drug. It takes far larger portion of the value we offer is When we have our attention on the repetitive attention and action, along with the coaching that helps our clients actually needs of our clients, the aim of our learn- inner changes in consciousness and prior- implement the change for long-term sus- ing, writing, and teaching is not just for ities. A practitioner’s success is also relat- tainable results. This is the essence of more information, but specific information ed to the success of their clients, and so client retention because people will stay that can help our clients. I certainly recom- it’s more beneficial to clients and practi- with you as long as they are continuing to

8 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org Yoga Therapy for Daily Living continued

get value from personal growth and prog- Take a moment right now to write out ress with their health. The most powerful a plan for implementing the steps I just shared with you. You might be excited to How to Boost Client Attraction, way for clients to try this, but since this is likely different Enrollment, and Retention commit to their own than what you’ve tried before, you may long-term commit- also find this challenging. See if you can Here are three steps you can take right approach client attraction, enrollment, and now to boost client attraction, enrollment, ment to health and retention as a scientist and a servant, and and retention in your new or existing prac- healing is for them to test these principles and practices to veri- tice immediately: connect with their fy the results for yourself. YTT 1. Choose a niche market to focus your practice in, or as a general practitioner, inner motivation for it. start focusing on yoga therapy and ayurvedic approaches to weight loss, increased energy, pain elimination, with regular weekly sessions that give sleep, and stress issues. them consistent coaching support to change behaviors and get results. 2. When you are asked what you do, speak to the results you help your Implementation clients achieve and ask for referrals. For

example, “I help people eliminate chron- The biggest difference between practition- ic lower back pain and avoid drugs or Jacob Griscom is the president of Every- ers who build sustainable practices and surgery. Do you know anyone with low day Ayurveda, School of Business. The those who don’t is implementation. When Grow Your Ayurvedic Business certification back pain?” we take action, we get results. We learn program is designed to help you build a 3. Trade in the session-by-session prac- from our results and then take more action successful and transformative ayurveda or tice model. Start offering free sessions to keep learning and keep improving. If we yoga therapy practice for yourself, your that clarify your prospective clients’ can adopt an attitude of taking action clients, and your community. Learn more at vision, goals, and challenges. Enroll every time we learn something, we will www.everydayayurveda.org. them in committed long-term programs make rapid progress.

www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 9 FeatureArticle Yoga Therapy in a Pediatric Hospital: A Mental Health Approach Pioneering a New Branch of Integrative Medicine Photo credit: Randall Streiffert, Children’s Hospital Colorado

Working with kids in this setting has taught me more about the power of yoga and its application than any other experience.

Jake doing fire hydrant pose as part of a Psychiatric Day Treatment class.

Photo credit: Tia Brayman, Children’s Hospital Colorado

10 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org Feature Article continued

By Michelle Fury Three teens take part in the filming Introduction of Children’s The combination of yoga therapy and Hospital Colorado’s instructional yoga mental health is gaining traction in the video for teens in public eye. In a 2009 Time magazine arti- September 2011. cle, licensed clinical social worker Joan Stenzler spoke of the natural union of Photo credit: yoga and psychotherapy. She is quoted as Randall Streiffert, saying, “The goal and intention in psy- Children’s Hospital chotherapy is to support a patient to be Colorado who they always were. And that’s yoga!” (Kornfeld, A.B.E. [2009]. Psychotherapy goes from couch to . Time. Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/health/arti- cle/0,8599,1891271,00.html.)

Stenzler is describing what I do at out “refreshed.” Though this APU group Like my fellow PCAT therapists, I use my Children’s Hospital Colorado (Children’s started off unusually, the unusual circum- modality (yoga) as a psychotherapeutic Colorado). I am both a licensed psy- stances highlight something important intervention. We meet weekly to discuss chotherapist and a seasoned yoga about the teens’ response: that is, they our teams’ policies with the units we teacher. Though it has been a challenge didn’t respond much at all. This particular serve, to provide one another with peer to get here, I know it is possible, because group of teens presented with the blunted supervision on difficult cases, and to dis- I have been doing it for over seven years affect that is common in depression. The cuss the training of our interns. My PCAT and with great results. So in this article I psychotherapist in me allowed me to team as a whole has formally recorded will describe what I do, the current setting notice the teens’ nonreaction and to point the check-in and check-out process via a in which my position exists and how it was out to them that something extraordinary measure called FACE pages (Fast created, and the qualifications necessary had just occurred, while the yoga therapist Assessment of Children’s Emotions) over to fill it. I will also review the compelling in me knew what yoga poses and breath- two years. Because good psychotherapy evidence that yoga therapy can and ing techniques could enliven and regulate involves looking at one’s negative emo- should be used for mental health benefits. the participants. This example also tional states as well as the positive states, demonstrates the combination of modali- sometimes we care less about whether an Keep Calm, Carry On ties in action. adolescent’s state is positive or negative and more about whether he or she notices Recently a girl attending my weekly thera- a change. Two years of collecting FACE peutic yoga group for adolescents lost sheet data has shown us that teens over- consciousness when it was her turn to Developing a Yoga Therapy Pro- whelmingly report a change in their affec- “check in.” The group was part of the Ado- gram in a Hospital that is Pediatric tive state from the beginning to end of all lescent Psychiatric Unit (APU) at Chil- and Psychiatric the PCAT groups. More informally, I have dren’s Colorado. My primary role in this I am a full-time yoga therapist in the consistently noted improvements in mood group is to use yoga therapy as a psy- Ponzio Creative Arts Therapy Program and emotional regulation in the teens, as chotherapeutic intervention, and this par- (PCAT) at Children’s Colorado. Pediatric well as receiving positive reports from ticular APU yoga session serves as a psychiatrist Marianne Wamboldt, MD, co- their healthcare team. good example of how I do this. founded PCAT in 2005 with a grant from the Craig Ponzio family. PCAT offers art, The work that I (and my fellow PCAT As soon as the girl slumped over, the dance/movement, music, and yoga thera- therapists) do with children and adoles- other staff in the room and I sprung into pies, and is composed of master’s-level cents does not happen in a vacuum. action: staff called for a nurse who arrived licensed therapists. I have been part of When I see an individual patient I commu- quickly and assessed the girl’s health. this team since I joined it as a psychother- nicate with his or her primary psychologist Meanwhile, the other staff and I escorted apy intern in the fall of 2005. Now, I run or psychiatrist on a weekly basis to coordi- the teens back to their unit. Once in the weekly therapeutic groups for almost all nate care. Before I see each of my regu- unit’s day room, I led the group in a slow units within the Department of Psychiatry larly scheduled groups, I speak with staff flow of gentle yoga poses that empha- and Behavioral Sciences at Children’s on the unit to determine what interven- sized forward folding, followed by deep Colorado. These units have inpatient and tions and techniques to use for that partic- breathing. During check out, I asked each transitional day-treatment programs. I also ular group. Being clear about the scope of participant to share how she or he felt. All see individual outpatients on a semi-regu- one’s practice is vitally important in an teens reported a change in their affect lar basis. My remaining time goes to the environment like Children’s Colorado. For from the beginning to end of group. For Integrative Headache Clinic (IHC), where I instance, while I must be familiar and instance, one teen checked in as “blah” conduct a bi-monthly yoga class for ado- trained in the use of the DSM-IVR (the and checked out as “relaxed.” Another lescents with chronic headaches. teen checked in “irritated” and checked (continued on page 12) www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 11 Feature Article continued

Revised Diagnostic and Statistical Manual requirements. I am a Registered Chil- understand that this is still a fairly new con- for Mental Disorders), I do not diagnose. dren’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT) who has cept for most. So I will highlight each set of In addition, while I am a co-investigator on facilitated therapeutic skills as I practice them in a single session. a few studies at Children’s Colorado, my and families for seven years, and I have Let’s go back to that APU group I men- role is to develop and deliver yoga therapy taught yoga in general for sixteen years. I tioned at the beginning to understand interventions. hold a master’s degree in Contemplative which part is psychotherapy and which part Psychotherapy from Naropa University is yoga therapy. The check-in and check- (Boulder, CO) and I am a Licensed Pro- out practice with each adolescent before Being clear about fessional Counselor (LPC) through the and after each group is a psychotherapy the scope of one’s State of Colorado. I am trained in Dialecti- technique that helps create attunement practice is vitally cal Behavioral Therapy (DBT), an evi- (my responsiveness to each teen). By dence-based mindfulness therapy, and attuning with the kids from the start, I am important in an have much training and experience in able to decide what yogic interventions to environment like trauma therapy. At Children’s Colorado, use. In this particular group, the check-in we require the following of yoga therapists went like this: “What’s your name? How Children’s Colorado. or yoga therapy interns: are you feeling? And if you could start any new school club what would it be?” A men- • A) Licensed in psychotherapy, psycholo- tal health counselor developed this last Unlike the art, dance/movement and gy, or social work, or B) currently seek- question, and its informal tone is purpose- music therapies offered through PCAT, ing an internship to satisfy graduate ful: it creates a casual atmosphere that is there is not an academic master’s degree school requirements in clinical practice relaxed and attuned to adolescents who associated with yoga therapy for mental from one of the fields listed; may be new to yoga. Through the check- health. Yet. We are working hard at Chil- • Currently an RYT-200 (), in/check-out technique, I am practicing dren’s Colorado to create the structure plus two years of teaching experience; brief therapy (a common and well- and the alliances foundational to a formal and researched therapy model). The goal of yoga therapy education. To that end, I cre- • Two years’ experience working with chil- brief therapy is to build therapeutic rapport ated a yoga therapy internship that mirrors dren (such as childcare or teaching). with the patient as quickly as possible. the other PCAT modalities’ internship pro- Rapport literally means “relationship” in grams, which I have implemented for the French, so therapeutic rapport refers to the first time this academic year of 2012- process of building relationship between 2013. I am currently supervising an intern two individuals in a therapeutic relation- student who is enrolled in Naropa’s Mas- ship. Attunement is one of the ways to ters in Contemplative Psychotherapy Pro- build therapeutic rapport. All of these psy- gram (MACP), the program from which I chotherapeutic tools (attunement, brief graduated. The difference between her therapy and rapport building) help me to internship experience and mine is that I create a therapeutic yoga environment, in had to do two separate internships to sat- which adolescents feel they can trust me. isfy the requirements of MACP. This was because the structure did not exist at Chil- While I’m establishing rapport, I’m also dren’s Colorado that would allow me to assessing each teen’s behavioral profile. get all the clinical “talk therapy” experi- For instance, am I working with a group ence I needed to graduate (280 hours of who has eating disorders or Autistic Spec- direct client contact, to be exact). But trum Disorder, or do their issues vary? The under my guidance as a licensed psy- APU have been admitted to Children’s Col- chotherapist who integrates yoga and talk orado because they are in danger of hurt- therapy skills, my intern is learning to do ing themselves or someone else. Yet their the same while also fulfilling Naropa’s mental health issues can vary widely: in a requirements. group of 10 teens, three teens may be severely depressed and struggling with In addition, Dr. Wamboldt and I are suicidal ideation, three teens experiencing working closely with Hansa Knox, director hallucinations, and the other four rapidly of PranaYoga and Ayurveda Mandala in cycling from anxiety to depression (i.e., Denver, where they have created a com- bipolar mood swings). My job is to design prehensive children’s yoga teacher train- a yoga intervention that helps the entire ing. By 2014, Children’s Colorado will be a Photo credit: Tia Brayman, Children’s Hospital Colorado group regulate their moods, or learn to be practicum site for PranaYoga students Michelle assisting a student in Psychiatric Day present with uncomfortable thoughts, feel- enrolled in this program. Treatment ings, and sensations. Anatomy of a Yoga Therapy Inter- Job Requirements vention for Mental Health To determine the most beneficial yoga techniques for the group (or individual), I In order to do what I do at Children’s Col- Though I don’t think of yoga therapy and think about what direction I want to guide orado, I have worked hard to meet certain psychotherapy as separate any more, I

12 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org Feature Article continued the energy. If the majority of the group is Girl scouts practice depressed and/or struggling with halluci- yoga to promote nations (which can sap a person’s ener- positive body gy), I want to gently increase the energy image during Girl to a more alert and awake state by the Scout Body Image end of the group. I can do this by introduc- Badge Day. ing a slow flow of yoga poses that builds to either headstand prep at the wall or Photo credit: Tia Brayman, core-strengthening poses. If the group is Children’s Hospital primarily anxious, I want to gently Colorado decrease the energy toward a calm, grounded state. In this case, I might start the group with a more vigorous flow of sun salutations that lead toward more calming floor stretches and end with a bal- ancing breathing technique like counting breaths up to ten. My paramount objective is to “meet” the person (or group) where she or he is. Second, we need to formalize yoga thera- been the hardest and most rewarding py training (for mental health) and collabo- challenge of my life thus far. On the one As mentioned previously, the teens in rate with other educational institutions, as hand, it has neither been easy nor simple the APU group suffer from depression, Children’s Colorado has started to do with to fit yoga into the medical and mental anxiety, or a mixture of both. After we all Naropa and PranaYoga. Third, we need to health model of a pediatric hospital. On filed into the unit day room my main create standardized yoga treatments for the other hand, the field of medicine and objective was to help them regulate what- mental health that can be studied through mental health seems open and ripe for the ever emotions they might be having after research. Children’s Colorado has been ancient albeit alternative practice of yoga witnessing their peer lose consciousness. doing research and pilot studies on yoga therapy. Parents, kids, psychiatrists, and I did this by starting with a slow flow of for years (though we have not formally physicians alike seem to want a more gentle yoga movements first in their chairs published anything yet). humane and individual approach to physi- and then in a brief standing warrior flow to cal and mental health care. To deliver release anxiety. Then I instructed the Replicating the Process yoga therapy effectively in the mental group to sit back down for deep, calming health setting requires a lot of training and For those interested in being a yoga ther- breaths. Both kids and staff reported feel- cross-training of a yoga therapist. But at apist in the field of mental health, here are ing more relaxed and refreshed than this point in my career, I cannot imagine a few tips that may help you forge your before we started. doing anything else. Working with kids in own path up the mountain of yoga therapy this setting has taught me more about the for mental health: power of yoga and its application than any The Rising Star of Integrative • Pursue formal education and licensing other experience. It is my greatest wish Medicine in a mental health field (such as psy- that the field of yoga therapy in mental chotherapy, psychology or social work). health grow and expand in the coming Currently, the medical world refers to yoga • Pursue formal education in yoga thera- years. YTT as complementary and alternative medi- py from a yoga therapy school that cine (CAM) or integrated medicine. The incorporates physical and mental health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention components in its training curriculum. (CDC) reports that more and more con- • Create alliances between a yoga school sumers are turning to CAM, especially for and a local mental health facility. chronic illnesses (http://www.cdc.gov/ • Work with individual yoga therapy pcd/issues/2004/oct/03_0036.htm). So it clients who have mental health goals for makes sense that Children’s Colorado their yoga therapy practice. incorporates Integrated Medicine (in the • Write a grant for your program (you may form of yoga therapy as well as the entire be able to find free classes and Michelle J. Fury, RCYT, LPC, caught the PCAT team) into its model of care. resources through your local library or yoga bug in 1992. She has taught yoga the internet), or team up with someone for over sixteen years and facilitated ther- To move forward the practice of yoga who writes grants professionally. apeutic yoga groups for over seven years. as psychotherapy, a number of factors are • Contact a local yoga school to inquire In sharing the healing practice of yoga, needed. First, we need to create manuals about space for your therapeutic yoga her goal is to empower kids to develop on how to integrate yoga therapy and psy- groups. strong bodies, sharp minds, and resiliency. chotherapy more formally. I intend to write a training manual for my interns, and Photo credit: Tia Brayman, Children’s Hospital Colorado eventually a book. If you or any yoga ther- Conclusion apist you know are currently using yoga Working as a yoga therapist at Children’s for mental health reasons, start writing! Colorado for the past seven years has www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 13 Mentor’sCorner

By Robin Rothenberg learned about the importance of balancing stretch with strength and the usefulness of ver the past few months I’ve combining contraction with extension. received many inquiries regarding These concepts have formed the founda- Ofoot pain, including questions about tion of much of my therapeutic work for how to address plantar fasciitis, bunions, chronic pain. Yet, I had never considered and heel spurs, all of which I have suf- implementing them for my feet. fered from for much of my life. So, in this issue I’d like to share what I’ve learned John’s presentation helped me realize about healing these problems through that the fascia on the bottoms of my feet yoga practices. I’d also like to address were “locked long”—tight and tense in some common yoga techniques I’ve extension. The cure for locked-long tis- encountered that were not so effective sues (think chronic slump and over- and to offer an approach that has entirely stretched, but tight erectors in the thoracic eradicated my own foot discomfort. After spine) is to strengthen them to shore them 50 years of aching tooties, I can finally up and simultaneously to contract them to say I have “Happy Feet” (Warner Bros. counteract the extension. I began to com- Pictures, 2006). bine undulating stretching with strong con- tractions, building from non-weight bearing To understand the complexity of the to increasingly more weight bearing. Like feet, one has to have some basic under- magic, the pain that had plagued me for standing of the nature of fascia. The bot- my entire life began to subside immediately. toms of the feet are layered in bands of fascia-connective tissue that forms the I can now say that I no longer have foundation for our arches and links the plantar fasciitis, I can even walk barefoot muscles that line the front, back, insides, teaching because walking barefoot had on my gravel driveway without wincing. and outsides of our legs all the way to our become unbearable. Freedom from foot pain has truly changed hips, torso, and head (and vice versa). the way I stand; I feel more solid and con- Therefore, imbalances in the feet can Then a few years ago two pieces of fident and less fearful in general. Even greatly affect the knees, hips, and lower information coalesced in my mind, shifting more amazing than the decrease in pain back. Fascia has a matrix-like quality and my whole approach to my feet. First, I has been the diminishing size of my surrounds every structure of the body: began to learn more about fascia and its bunions; they reduced by a good 30–40% bones, muscles, organs, and so on. The qualities, and with this information I and my big toes now sit properly rather fascial web is kept hydrated largely changed my yoga practice to include non- than turning inward, which I attribute to through movement. When fascia is held linear movements, micro-movements that the redistribution of weight through the fixed, it dries up, becomes hard and tugged and wiggled the matrix web of con- center of my ankle and strengthening of sticky, and loses its ability to glide freely, nectivity in wave-like undulations that my arch. I stopped wearing any kind of which can lead to adhesions, restricted freed chronic tension in my shoulders, my hard-soled shoe for hiking and prefer my movement, and pain. Therefore, when back, and around my hips. It occurred to Vibrams (toe-shoes), which again allow working with the feet, movement—and by me that although I had been stretching my my feet to flex and move naturally rather this I mean variety of movement—is key. feet over the years, I had always stretched than holding them in a fixed position. Over them the same way, across the bottom. the past two years, I’ve shared many of I came to yoga with feet that had hurt Fascia responds best to random, ever- these practices with my therapeutic stu- my whole life: I had collapsed arches and changing movement—repetitive patterns dents with similar conditions. Feedback a pigeon-toed stance that resulted from create rigidity. I began exploring versatility has been very positive and students have internally rotated femurs, especially on my of movement in my feet, stretching into expressed experiencing great relief from right side, causing significant left-right the sides, back, and top of my foot, linking working this way. imbalance. My first real “aha” moment in tight spots in my feet to tight knots in my yoga involved attempting to make my feet calves and sometimes all the way up into Here are a few tips for practice that I used parallel and lift my poor arches, which my hip. While not always comfortable to heal my foot problems: offered some relief. Such began a hopeful, afterwards, I found it to be delightfully but not exactly smooth, journey from foot pain-reducing. 1. Sit in a chair and place your feet on a duhkha (suffering) to suhkha (happiness). soft support like a yoga bolster on the Over the years I stretched my feet, and The other lightning rod for change floor in front of you. Begin to move them rolled on soft tennis balls and reflexology came from an IAYT colleague, John in a variety of unusual and exploratory balls with hard bumps that beat my soles Childers, to whom I am forever grateful. ways. Pay special attention to the to a pulp. I lifted my toes and spread them John wrote a Common Interest Community places that feel tight or that cramp. Use out, weaved my fingers between them. I session for SYTAR 20091 offering a cure for your breath and move in and out of the weighted the outsides of my feet, refusing plantar fasciitis. Of course, that grabbed my resistant areas, never insisting yet to let my arches fall, circled my ankles, attention! The focal point of his presenta- returning again and again to massage and stretched my calves. I had my feet tion was a one-legged adaptation of sup- them free. You can also do this from a and legs rolfed to release the fascia and ported bridge pose with the lifted leg supine position, prone, and in seated strengthened my ankles on wobble extended and held parallel to the floor, the forward bends. toes grasping a marble. This action creates boards. I gobbled fabric with my toes. 2. Once you’ve stretched the sides, tops, an intense contraction from the bottom of Everything helped a little...but overall I still backs, and bottoms well, contract the had daily pain, at times so severe that I the foot up through the calf muscles. Imme- took to wearing an ankle brace when diately my mind raced through all I’ve (Mentor’s Corner continued on page 40)

14 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 15 Perspectives The Road to Meditation: Guiding Students to Personal Practice

By Robert Butera and Kristen Butera mind create space for introspection and of time, if these have proved too difficult personal awareness. for the client. In many cases, it requires editation is a process of stilling the revisiting the essential tenets of classical mind. Paradoxically, the formal def- Over the last 25 years, I have spent yoga philosophy and working on the Minition of meditation can be simpli- many a yoga therapy session helping stu- lifestyle aspects of the first two steps of fied to this: focusing with one-pointed dents to sort out the stories they tell them- the eight-fold path, the yamas and niya- attention for an extended duration of time. selves around what is “wrong” with them mas, with an eye toward removing obsta- This definition means that most people and why they “can’t” meditate. Often, I’ve cles to meditation. The belief systems that strive to meditate but may only experience found that once the self-sabotaging cause stress can be understood and begun a state of meditation for a minute or so notions have been worked out, we discov- to be managed in this way. From this foun- during a particular session. er that the practices the students were dation of understanding and modification, doing simply had not directly addressed specific meditation practices can be The lifestyle modifications and prac- their personal needs or lifestyle realities, explored in order to discover the ones that tices of the eight-fold path that lead up to and we can start afresh from there. best suited the student’s individual needs. meditation are designed to stabilize the mind in a systematic fashion. Once these steps are mastered and higher levels of mental stability are experienced, a seated meditation practice has the potential to further a student’s self-realization process. Many yoga therapists know from field experience that guiding new students to create a consistent meditation practice can be a challenging prospect. Most of them come willing to learn, usually aware of the scientific evidence that meditation will be good for their stress reduction, per- haps even with a belief that meditation will have a positive impact on their overall life experience. Yet more often than not, they come back saying something like “I tried, and I just can’t” or “I don’t have the time to fit meditation into my life.”

Preparing the Student for Meditation In this modern milieu of continual stimula- tion that has the average person in a con- stant state of mental activity, you can cre- ate a roadmap that starts the student on a journey toward meditation via a variety of Lifestyle Modifications as the Path Rather than picking the student’s weakest mind-quieting activities. Rather than trying to Meditation to take a student from 60 miles an hour to area to improve with meditation, try zero, which may perpetuate any existing One of the basic principles of the tradition- emphasizing their strengths first. It may feelings of inadequacy or failure, you can al guru-disciple model of one-on-one not always be formal seated meditation, recognize and meet the student at his or learning is that practices were tailored to especially in the beginning. If that is the her own unique starting point. meet individual dispositions. If we follow case, centering, chanting, guided relax- that line of thinking when using meditative ation, pranayama, and pratyahara exercis- Many yoga therapists are already practices in yoga therapy sessions, it can es such as can all act as a doing some type of mind-quieting work be useful to realize that there will always prelude to a seated meditation practice. with their students through yoga poses, be an element of trial and error in order to Following the traditional teacher-student breathing, and relaxation exercises. These discover what types of meditation work model of yogic learning empowers the stu- types of practices can be used as medita- best for a particular client. The ability to dent to slowly find accessible ways of tion primers. Going slower in an assess a student’s needs is a skill and an moving toward a more meditative state of practice, holding poses for a longer dura- art form that the yoga therapist can devel- being. tion, or going beyond physical tension in op with intentional practice. relaxation helps students work with their Let Go of Personal Meditation Bias mental chatter and negative thought This sometimes means going back to Let’s preface this section by saying that loops. Pranayama practices that focus on the drawing board and eliminating sitting there is no one “best” way of meditating. the connection between the breath and meditation practices altogether for a period There is only what works best for the indi-

16 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org Perspectives continued vidual. In this day and age there are hun- tion to the mysterious universal life force. scientific studies that have offered solid dreds of different meditation groups to This method is especially popular in Bud- evidence-based research about its effica- choose from. Each one of them exists dhist and yoga circles, and has roots in a cy, which has in turn helped the medita- because people benefit tremendously from variety of religious traditions throughout tion community as a whole gain popularity the particular style of practice. If we intend the world. and legitimacy. to use meditation as a facet of yoga thera- py work, we are honor-bound to recognize In Summary a student’s unique journey and to offer them individualized meditative assistance There is no one “best” The personalized approach to meditation rather than a prescription based on our way of meditating. asks the yoga therapist to offer a variety own preferences or personal experience of practices that honor students’ individual with meditation. We can be committed to There is only what dispositions and allow them to explore cultivating a personal meditation practice their meditative potential. It is a slow and and be transparent about our preferences works best for the steady type of method, intended to create with our students, while knowing that individual. a sense of recognizable progress as stu- what works for us may not work for our dents become more able to experience students. Going beyond personal prefer- extended meditative states. It also gives ence allows us to work with students in an Mantra Meditation focuses on repeat- new meditators time to adjust their adaptive and client-focused way. ing a word, syllable, or phrase that has lifestyle habits and create structures personal meaning for the meditator. The around having a sustainable meditation Discover a Personal Meditation chosen sound/phrase is repeated over practice on their own. As students become Type and over. Initially, it may be spoken out more adept and consistent, the yoga ther- As part of my yoga therapy PhD disserta- loud and eventually repeated silently in apist can offer adaptations to their existing tion, I researched hundreds of books on the meditator’s mind. Some people use practices or offer up new practices for meditation with a goal of personalizing the same mantra for years, while others them to explore as they become ready. practices for the students that I was see- change out the mantra when needed. This ing during that time. I was able to experi- method was popularized by the Transcen- Meditation can be deemed effective ence a great many types of meditation via dental Meditation (TM) movement but also and useful when the student has immedi- many discriminating teachers. As I studied has roots in a variety of religious tradi- ate positive benefits. A key indicator that a the variety of traditions, I started to ana- tions. It is often used in tandem with a meditation practice is working is when the lyze techniques and see similar universal physical object like a mala or a rosary. student feels more inspired, uplifted, trends of practice. Through this process and/or centered after meditating. If the six distinctive groups emerged. All six Visualization brings internal focus to a student feels a strong negative reaction, types are summarized in this article. The specific image, stilling the mind. Rooted in then the meditation exercise may not have summaries are simplified for the sake of ancient prayer and healing traditions, it been appropriate or preparatory exercises introducing them in this format. Each tradi- has been used in modern times by the may need to be further explored before tion has a variety of perspectives, and human potential movement and in the trying a different meditation technique. additional information that offers an training of professional athletes. YTT extended amount of detail as to why and how they work is widely available. Intentionality offers a variety of approaches. Under this category fall prac- Because of the complexity of the indi- tices like prayer, being in nature and con- vidual mind and body, I haven’t yet been necting to Universal/God consciousness. able to create a quick psychological sur- The world’s many shamanistic and reli- vey that helps people identify their person- gious traditions have influenced prayer al meditation type. You will need a combi- and nature-based . nation of intuition and communication to help your students find which of the six Contemplative Inquiry offers a more types works for them. I typically recom- intellectual approach. The meditator choos- Robert Butera, MDiv, PhD, and Kristen mend that students try each style for at es an unanswerable question and reflects Butera, ERYT-500, PYT, co-direct The least a few days to see how their mind on it. When the active mind’s theories are YogaLife Institute in Devon, Pennsylvania, responds. Eventually, they will find one or exhausted, only the question remains. A where they train yoga therapists and more practices that meet their needs at common form of this practice is meditation teachers of meditation and yoga. These any given time. on the question, “Who am I?” that was pop- programs follow the yoga-based lifestyle ularized by the seminal work of Ramana principles outlined in Bob’s books: The Breath Meditation focuses on the sim- Maharishi. This tradition also has roots in Pure Heart of Yoga: 10 Essential Steps to ple act of breathing. Within this approach the Zen Buddhist koan practice. Transformation (Llewellyn, 2009), and there are a variety of focal points avail- Meditation for Your Life: Creating a Plan able. Some focus on a specific place in Mindfulness comes in many forms. In That Suits Your Style (Llewellyn, 2012). the body (e.g., the tip of the nose or the its simplest form, the meditator observes Bob and Kristen also publish Yoga Living solar plexus) while others choose to focus thoughts and feelings, as well as their magazine in the Philadelphia region. To on the interchange between the inhalation reactions to them. Buddhist vipassana learn more, visit them at www.YogaLifeIn- and exhalation (the pause between (insight) meditation is the source of many stitute.com. breaths). Other factions focus on the present-day mindfulness courses. This entire process of breathing as a connec- particular method has been popular with www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 17 Perspectives

Crossing the Divide between Yoga Therapy and Research: Lessons from the Field of Psychology By B. Grace Marie Bullock

s yoga therapists and practitioners in the twenty-first century, we face Athe unique opportunity to participate in the emergence of yoga therapy in the West. We are pioneers, at the forefront of the movement to establish yoga therapy as a respected discipline in the Western healthcare system. As a practitioner you are probably convinced of yoga’s effec- tiveness, and its potential to affect change on a number of dimensions. You likely have first-hand experience of the magical and sometimes mysterious ways in which your practice can transform you. While your experience and those of thousands of others are truly remarkable, they are not sufficient to convince huge corpora- therapists who passionately expressed action, with the understanding that psy- tions, healthcare systems, and govern- their displeasure at scientific attempts to chotherapeutic effects are the result of the ments to invest billions of dollars to imple- quantify the practices of yoga. As a correct application of a particular theoreti- ment yoga into their programs. Why? To yoga practitioner and yoga therapist, I cal strategy. If components of an approach date, there is insufficient data to support empathized with the contention that many are changed or eliminated, it is assumed the efficacy of these practices. aspects of yoga cannot be operationalized that the therapy would be considerably or measured without losing their richness, less effective. Freud used components of Though the yoga tradition dates back yet as an intervention scientist, I struggled this model to frame his conceptualization over 5,000 years, it is an evolving disci- to reconcile the fact that this level of and treatment in the development of psy- pline in the West. The Western medical inquiry is essential to the establishment of choanalysis, and it continues to be widely model largely relies on evidence-based yoga therapy in Western healthcare sys- employed in many therapeutic contexts. practices to make decisions regarding the tems. Upon further reflection, I recalled utility of a particular treatment within a spe- that the field of psychology wrestled with The decades that followed the birth of cific context. Evidence-based practices are this very same issue nearly a century ago. psychoanalytic psychotherapy were assumed to possess a high degree of effi- Perhaps there are some lessons to be marked by the advent of numerous com- cacy and treatment effectiveness, making learned from that journey. peting theoretical models and treatment them more cost-effective and appealing in strategies (behavioral, cognitive, humanis- this climate of rising healthcare service- tic, existential, rational-emotive, depth psy- delivery costs. Therapies are tested using chology, and so on). Each claimed that the rigorous empirical methods, ideally as part Some ideas seem other was missing a component essential of large, randomized, controlled trials. The to the understanding of behavior and ther- imperative to subject yoga to this type of rather ethereal, ubiq- apeutic change. Thousands of research evaluation is the juncture where yoga and uitous, or immeasur- studies were conducted to “prove” the effi- science currently collide. cacy and effectiveness of these and other able. That does not, strategies, many of which provided empiri- Proposals to quantify the methods, cal support and many that did not. Heated processes, and outcomes of yoga and however, mean that public debates among researchers often yoga therapy are often met with strong they cannot be mea- ensued, which frequently fueled vigorous resistance, and insistent claims that the attempts to prove one theory superior rela- depth and richness of the tradition cannot sured. tive to its competitors. be captured in empirical research. Scien- tific methods are viewed as reductionistic In 1979, Strupp and Hadley2 threw the and grossly inadequate when it comes to Western psychotherapy emerged field of psychology on its ear. They assem- measuring the inter- and intrapersonal within the medical model,1 which recog- bled two groups of therapists, one consist- phenomena of yoga therapy. Sadly, one of nizes a sequence of steps in the therapeu- ing of highly experienced psychothera- the results of this ideological rift is increas- tic process. These include the diagnosis of pists, and the other consisting of college ing frustration among yoga therapists and a disorder, a scientific explanation of ill- professors with no clinical training who yoga researchers, who both feel unfairly ness, an understanding of the mechanism were selected based on their ability to cast and misunderstood. of change, and a proscribed treatment form understanding relationships. Each approach. The model is believed to pro- group treated fifteen patients selected from a homogeneous group of participants There is no simple solution to this vide sufficient knowledge to understand classified as suffering from depression or problem. While at a conference in 2012, I the etiology and nature of disorders and to was taken aback by the number of yoga determine the appropriate therapeutic (Perspectives continued on page 40)

18 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 19 YogaTherapyinPractice Essential Tips for Teaching Yoga to Youth with Mental Health Issues By Lee Majewski Taking the Time to Understand Introduction I spent some time reading up on the con- ditions and side effects of the medications anadian statistics estimate that an these young people used. Sometimes alarmingly high percentage of Cana- they were heavily medicated. Sometimes dian youth are affected by a mental they had adverse reactions to medications C they were taking, such as dizziness, illness or disorder—the single most dis- drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, blurry abling group of disorders worldwide.1 The total number of twelve-to-nineteen-year- vision, weight gain, tremors, shaking, stiff- olds in Canada at risk for developing ness, or abnormal movements—just to name a few. When the psychiatrists depression is a staggering 3.2 million.2 Only 33–50% were identified by their doc- changed the medications or adjusted the tors as having a mental illness at the time doses, it would often create sudden of death and only 15% of suicide victims changes in their behaviors, e.g., they were in treatment at the time of their might start bouncing off the walls or falling death.3 Statistics all over the world asleep in class. Behind these symptoms (WHO)4 show that youth are underser- was a young, confused person struggling viced, in part due to the stigma around to make sense of his or her mental condi- mental illness and the subsequent lack of tion and life. It was crucial for me to be reporting by youth of their mental state. aware of each diagnosis and any changes And according to the WHO, this is going had experienced a psychotic incident in their situation. After a few months, I to increase by 50% by 2020. Central (characterized by an inability to distinguish requested weekly meetings with the social Toronto Youth Services/New Outlook Day between their perceptions or beliefs and workers who ran the rest of the program, Program (CTYS/New Outlook) in Toronto objective reality and disorganization of the which included reviews and check-ins on offers services to youth recovering from individual’s life, emotions, and personali- the development of each participant, as serious mental illness. The aim of this pro- ty)—either as a part of a disease or drug well as information on any changes in gram is to assist young people in transi- induced. Some lived at home with family their medications. I wasn’t able to commu- tioning from a sheltered community-based and some were in group homes. Most nicate directly with the psychiatrist, but the life back into society. The duration of the were there on a voluntary basis, referred weekly meetings with counselors were program is eleven months, with a fresh by a hospital or social worker, but others invaluable in this respect and were start of twelve students every September. were mandated by a court order to attend. extremely helpful in learning how to meet Common to each one of them was a deep the needs of this group. In addition, after As a certified Kundalini Yoga instruc- feeling of disempowerment. They all felt about a year, upon my request there was tor, I’d been teaching yoga for depression the stigma of mental illness and of being always a counselor in the room during the in a community center. The CTYS/New totally dependent on medications and doc- yoga class—something that I highly rec- Outlook program found me online and tors. They felt safe in this environment, but ommend for anyone considering working called to see if their youth could come and they also felt very confused by their illness. with such a population. participate. Since my group was only for adults with depression, we arranged for I decided that my first task was to Seeing Beyond the Diagnosis me to present a demo class at their site in understand their level of social functional- As their yoga teacher, I needed to look June of 2009. It was very well received ity, which varied greatly. Some were highly beyond the uncommon behaviors students and in September I began teaching regu- functional, some were quite mature but may exhibit and not be affected by them. lar classes. withdrawn, some were behaving irrational- They may be having tics, be drowsy, be ly as if living in their own inner reality, a talking or laughing to themselves, or be At the start of my first regular class at symptom of schizophrenia. One seemed very anxious and agitated. My success CTYS/New Outlook, I faced twelve young emotionally and mentally about five years with them depended on my ability to disre- men and women, 16–21 years old, all of old, yet she had developed highly adoptive gard such behavior and see the person us not quite knowing what to expect. behaviors so it was difficult to recognize behind it, to find a way to connect to that Some looked at me with curiosity, some her true level of functionality. And others part of them that is whole and not touched avoided eye contact, some were laughing behaved as if living behind a wall—I couldn’t by illness. I needed to hold the space by to themselves, some were dozing off, get any reaction out of them at all. My goal treating them always with the same some were staring at the wall with blank became to find what each one responded degree of care and kindness no matter expressions on their faces, and some to and how to maintain contact with them what they did. In the three years that I couldn’t sit still. despite their being often heavily drugged. taught there, only once did I have to ask One young man, a 21-year-old diagnosed for counselor intervention—one seven- Building Rapport with schizophrenia, sat in class avoiding teen-year-old youth simply couldn’t stop I immediately began to learn about and eye contact with anybody. I refused to give himself from verbally abusing me and had build a rapport with each youth. The group up and praised him in every class, to be taken out of class. The next week, included young people who had been addressing him by name. It took three however, he came to apologize and cried diagnosed with bipolar disorder, obsessive- months for him to take his eyes away from on my shoulder. One of the students, with compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, his lap and to look at me. After another bipolar disorder, was troublesome and dis- and schizophrenia, as well as youth still month, at times he showed a shadow of a ruptive during class when he felt anxious. awaiting diagnoses. All of them, however, smile when I addressed him. I was doing my best to not be affected by it and to always address him with kind-

20 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org Yoga Therapy in Practice continued

ness, even though sometimes he would Body Cleansing and Disease Resistance, feel sick or handicapped in any way. She really stretch my patience. One day he or Exercise for Mental Efficiency. I taught also said that they always felt better after arrived early to class, and he told me, them Kirtan Kriya, which they liked and doing yoga and she suggested that maybe “You know, I really feel I can talk with you often used outside of class. they were starting to feel empowered to in a safe way. I feel closer to you than to actually do something for their health any worker here.” To me, this was such an instead of being solely dependent on affirmation of my approach to teaching this They may be having drugs. group and a testament to the power of the love that I felt for them. tics, be drowsy, be My classes teaching yoga to this pop- talking or laughing ulation were the hardest in my teaching Taking Yoga off the Mat career. I never knew what would happen to themselves, or be during class and in what state these youth After a few months I introduced the idea of very anxious and would be when they showed up. The “taking yoga home.” I showed the group unknowns of every yoga class were mag- that they have the power to make them- agitated. My success nified by the effects of the medications selves feel better using yoga in their daily with them depended they were taking, as well as the specific lives. I gave them tools to cope with emo- challenges of their young lives. And so I tions like anger, anxiety, stress, or discom- on my ability to dis- had to be ready and open to meet the fort outside of the classroom, in their home regard such behav- challenge of the moment. Yet—these environment. I taught them pranayama for classes were the most satisfying teaching specific situations; I taught them mantras ior and see the per- job I have ever had. The reward of seeing and mudras they could use when in need. son behind it. the students coming in with grim faces and I did as much as I could to empower them leaving with smiles was tremendous. So, so that they could manage their own reac- as I was leaving for an extensive stay in tions and become independent. This also Although it was challenging, I found it India, I knew I had to find someone special helped me to earn their trust. was necessary to pay attention to the state to continue the classes. I was very lucky to of mind of each individual student. One find a teacher with some At the beginning of every class I person might be very agitated while anoth- experience with mental health issues, and would ask them, “How did you use yoga in er completely passive or even depressed. I am very happy to say that this year your day?” Often they would share stories The class then had to be adapted to meet CTYS/New Outlook increased the number like this one by a seventeen-year-old with the requirements of both, with special care of yoga classes to three per week. bipolar disorder: “Yoga has impacted me and attention given to those who needed it in so many ways. It’s made me a more at any given moment. On an average day, You can read more about “my kids” in calm and relaxed person; it’s made me opening a class with a chant repeated as my blog: www.mentalhealthyoga.com/blog. more flexible and smarter. It’s made me many times as needed would eventually YTT more peaceful and centered and in tune bring everyone into the here and now, with my body and the space around me. ready for asanas or pranayama. I also References When I use yoga in my daily life I use it found it helpful to play music at the begin- 1.Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. A report on when I am stressed. I do sa-ta-na-ma to ning of class, especially loud music with a mental illnesses in Canada (2008). Retrieved from bring me down and to calm me. And I use strong drum beat, such as the Japanese http://www.mentalhealthyoga.com/wp- the protection mantra (Aad-guray-nameh) band Kodo. After three to five minutes of content/uploads/2011/08/Report-on-Mental-Illness-in- when I feel I’m losing it and it brings me vigorous dance students would settle on Canada.pdf back to my center.” the mats with smiles on their faces. At 2. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (n.d.). Men- other times I used chanting or mantras, tal health and addiction statistics. Retrieved from Finding a Class Structure asanas, or relaxation—whatever seemed http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/about_camh/news- to be appropriate in the moment to get room/for_reporters/Pages/addictionmentalhealthstatis- It took some trial and error before we set- their attention. Sometimes I would use tics.aspx tled into a class structure that worked for relaxation at the beginning of class and 3. Canadian Mental Health Association (n.d.). Fast these youth, and because they responded sometimes I would start class with strenu- facts about mental illness. Retrieved from well to routine and structure, I stuck with ous asanas. Feeling out the energy of the http://www.cmha.ca/media/fast-facts-about-mental-ill- the basic class outline (while allowing for group in the moment dictated my choice. ness/#.UPohXo4snfA the flexibility to respond to whatever their 4. World Health Organization. Young people: health needs were on any given day). Class Feedback risks and solutions. Fact sheet No. 345 (August 2011. would typically begin with chanting open- Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/fact- ing mantras until the group settled down Six months into the program, I asked the sheets/fs345/en/ and were with me in class, followed by group for feedback. Here are some exam- simple pranayama for about ten minutes. ples of what they said: “I always feel better After that we moved to asanas, which var- after class.” “I am not as angry with the A yoga practitioner ied depending on the needs of the group. people I was angry with.” “I want to do since the late ‘80s, in If the class had excess energy to burn, we yoga to become smarter.” “I want to do 2003 Lee travelled did sun salutations and after that we would yoga to become better and stronger.” “It abroad to study Kun- do relaxation and pranayama. If it was an helps me to be relaxed. It makes my com- average day, I led some basic Hatha Yoga pulsion go away. It helps me deal with per- dalini Yoga. Her current stretching poses (e.g., cat/cow, bow, sonal issues. It helps me to think positive.” projects include co- camel, bridge, revolved chair, cobra, operation with the Uni- plough, seated forward bends) and we had I discussed these responses with the versity Health Network, some fun with balancing poses such as director of the organization. She told me Princess Margaret Hospital, and Central tree, mountain, triangle, and warrior 1 and that the staff was receiving very positive Toronto Youth Services in Toronto. Interna- 2. On a really good day I would choose a feedback from the kids about how yoga tionally, Lee works with Kaivalyadham Yoga set from the Kundalini Yoga tradition, such impacted their wellbeing. She suspected Institute in Lonavla, India, creating and as the Exercise for Balancing the Brain, that for that particular hour, the kids didn’t teaching specialized therapy programs. www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 21 The International Association of Yoga Therapists is proud to an The Front Line of Yoga Research • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • symposium on yoga research June 11–13, 2013 • Boston

SYR is the West’s foremost academic yoga research SYR Program Overview conference. SYR showcases some of the best new research and offers multiple poster sessions as well as Preconference Workshops June 11 “Fundamentals of Acquiring Yoga Research Funding” ample opportunities to interact with other scientists, Partap S. Khalsa DC, PhD, DABCO, Program Director at the National Center experts and professionals in the field. for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Keynote Speakers “Demystifying Scientific Writing: Simple Techniques for Successful Manuscripts” Grace Marie Bullock, PhD, ERYT, Editor in Chief, International Journal of Yoga Therapy

Main SYR Program June 11 – 13 SYR is a single-track academic research conference that includes both oral Herbert Benson, MD BN Gangadhar, MD Mark T. Greenberg, Ph.D Harvard Medical School NIMHANS, India Penn State University and poster presentations by leading yoga research scientists. (See keynote and invited speakers, left.) Invited Speakers • Beth Bock, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Yoga Research Poster Presentations Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University • Richard P. Brown, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, The poster presentation sessions are a riveting and inspiring feature of SYR, Columbia University with representative research teams on hand to answer questions and discuss • Debbie L Cohen, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, their research. Call for Poster Abstracts opens January 2013. University of Pennsylvania • Patricia L. Gerbarg, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor in Psychiatry, New York Medical College • Helen Lavretsky, MD, MS, Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences. Director, Late-life Mood, Stress, and Wellness Research Program at UCLA SYR is offered back-to-back with SYTAR (Symposium on Yoga Therapy and • Crystal L. Park, PhD, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University Research) at the Boston Marriott Newton, June 11-13. of Connecticut, Storrs, and affiliate of the University of Connecticut Center for Health, Intervention and Prevention $100 registration discount for IAYT members. • Susan Reed, MD, MPH, MS, Professor at the University of Washington in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Epidemiology and is jointly appointed at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Group Health Research Institute in Seattle. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • SYR 2009 photos by Andrea Killam

THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF YOGA THERAPISTS nounce the most in-depth Yoga Therapy conferences of 2013. The Front Line of Yoga Therapy • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • symposium on yoga THERAPY June 13–16, 2013 • Boston AND research

SYTAR is dedicated entirely to professional education, SYTAR Program Overview research, practice, and policy issues for yoga therapy. This is the first time SYTAR will be taking place on the Plenary Sessions All attendees gather for these powerful keynote and plenary speaker East coast. presentations.

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Common Interest Community Sessions Six intriguing fifteen-minute presentations, per session, Sonia Nelson Antaran- Vasant Lad Abundant Wellbeing ga Yoga/Vedic Chant BAMS, MaSC modeled on “Ted Talks” that will get people talking. Watch for Center The Ayurvedic Institute Call for Proposals in January. Plenary Speakers Topics • Rehab Professionals: Bridging the Past with the Future • Judi Bar, Center for Lifestyle Medicine, Cleveland Clinic • Göran Boll, Medical Yoga Institute of Sweden • Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Health • Loren Fishman, MD, Manhattan Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation • Mladen Golubic, MD, PhD, Center for Lifestyle Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Ayurveda 101 for Yoga Therapists • Sat Bir Khalsa, PhD, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Womens’ An opportunity to learn how Ayurveda can inform yoga therapy. Present- Hospital ed by Hillary Garivaltis, Kripalu School of Ayurveda; Larissa Hall Carlson, • Gary Kraftsow, MA, American Viniyoga Institute RYT 500, for Yoga and Health; and Arun Deva, DAS, AYT, • Rolf Sovik, Psy.D, Himalayan Institute • Subodh Tiwari, Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute ERYT 500, Arunacharla Yoga and Ayurved SYTAR is offered back-to-back with SYR (Symposium on Yoga Research) at the Boston Marriott Newton, June 13-16.

$100 registration discount for IAYT members. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • SYTAR 2008 photos by Adam Latham

Early Bird Rates available through April 12 www.sytar.org Yoga Therapy in Practice

How Yoga Assists with the Grieving Process

By Morton Kissen goal of such forms of meditation is gener- ally to allow all thoughts, feelings, and s a psychoanalyst, I have always memories to surface and to fall away believed that traumatic experiences while the meditator observes them with an Aneed to be mourned for effective attitude of welcoming. healing to occur. Having experienced the healing powers of yoga following the I began taking yoga classes during death of my daughter, I became con- the latter stages of my daughter’s illness vinced that two different aspects of heal- and have continued ever since. I am con- ing occur through the combined effects of vinced that they have assisted my healing psychoanalysis and yoga. One involves and mourning of her loss. In addition to the memory process, a very intimate one, the help I have received through mindful- of looking at photographs of my daughter, ness, there has been a renewal of my and evoking remembrances of our past self-compassion expressed through much experiences together. The other was the positive attention to my body from top to use of yoga to focus on my body posture bottom. The luxury and requirement of and breath in a mindful, self-compassion- doing that has opened up a permission to ate, here and now fashion devoid of live and enjoy certain sensory aspects of memory. living. I participate in yoga classes two or three times per week, which typically con- Grieving and Remembrance sist of groups of ten to twenty participants. Jennifer with her joy of life, as I remember her. Memories or thoughts and feelings are Although grief is frequently addressed dur- temporarily put aside or viewed as pass- ing therapy, it is basically a very natural remember”) that is often said in a large group, all of whom have lost persons ing images to be placed into the back- process. All losses are traumatic to some ground, as I and the other class members degree, and yet an intrinsic resiliency in dear to them, on the Jewish High Holi- days. Although I am not very involved concentrate on our bodies in a very sen- the human spirit often allows considerable sory fashion. healing to occur over time. with institutionalized religion, I have always found this form of communal par- Many say that parents are not sup- The most common form of grieving is ticipation soothing and spiritually uplift- ing. It also often allows me to express posed to outlive their children. As a par- a narrative-based process and involves ent, I, and others in my situation, have active and passive forms of remembering my sad feelings a bit more openly. It is almost as if a group therapeutic effect translated that into guilt over surviving and personal experiences with the lost person. a reluctance to enjoy the body as quite In my case, I have repeatedly looked at takes place during these large communal mourning experiences. literally an embodiment of that survival. pictures of my daughter that I have col- To be allowed to focus pleasurably and lected over the course of her life. I have compassionately on my body for hours at also found it helpful to visit her gravesite The need to remember is intrinsic to this first and primary form of grieving. It is a time has helped me immensely with my about once a month and bring a folder of grieving. her pictures and other memorabilia with also interesting that clinically, we often can discern a fear of forgetting in most me, which I typically leaf through at the I have noted with much interest that mourners, as though that were a kind of site. There are certain Jewish rituals that I the few times that I have cried over my betrayal of the loved person. find helpful, although I am not a very reli- daughter in a more open fashion have gious person. I collect a few small stones occurred during my yoga classes. I sus- that I place on her monument and say a Mindful Grieving pect that these classes have opened up a few short prayers. Although evoking memories of our loved special kind of grieving. This form of griev- ones is rooted in the past, the act of ing is rooted in the body and in the pres- For me, the act of remembering in remembering can be mindful and even ent and involves very little conscious this way establishes a continuous form of meditative, if it is clearly focused upon in remembering. There is also a kind of spiritual dialogue with my daughter, the present moment as a sensory experi- acceptance that is deeply facilitated despite her passing. It is a very emotional ence, including a focus on one’s breath through yoga. That is the acceptance of experience, although I seldom cry very and bodily experience. It also involves an the right to be self-compassionate and much during it. My crying tends to be ever-evolving acceptance of a painful kind to oneself in this way. Also, there is either suppressed or more inward and loss that has occurred without denying or an acceptance of the right to temporarily quiet. Some times, I wish I could cry more magnifying it. forget and to even enjoy that forgetting. easily and openly. I often envy my wife Judy and others who can cry more openly. Yoga and mindfulness meditation As a psychoanalyst, I have always It is interesting that there is a Hebrew have been particularly helpful as I have seen the therapeutic process as a special prayer called Yizkor (it means “You shall grieved the loss of my daughter. The (Continued on page 26)

24 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 25 Yoga Therapy in Practice continued

kind of grieving over personal losses and Kristin D. Neff3-4 has led the way with her self-ideals. It is also an opportunity to development of a quite reliable and valid accept one’s right to live a vital and scale to measure this construct. The six valued life. factors help delineate a positive psycho- logical construct of kindness to the self in Since I have become very involved the face of stressful, unpleasant circum- with yoga personally I have introduced it stances. They incorporate an aspect of into my therapeutic work with patients to mindfulness but go beyond and include an assist them with their grieving. I do light ability to take a self-uplifting and positive breathing exercises with my patients, at perspective and to take care of oneself moments of intense stress or anxiety, and and one’s needs, even under quite unhap- I recommend that they consider taking py or difficult circumstances. Being kind to yoga classes. I have found that psychoan- oneself is especially necessary at times of alytic therapy is intensified and made deep loss but is not always so easy to do. more effective when yoga is simultane- ously practiced. Grieving is an important Future Directions part of every therapeutic engagement, I have begun to research the natural even if the loss of a loved one has not connection of yoga with mindfulness and occurred. Patients can grieve their past self-compassion and hope to report on and present ideals and accept their less- this research in a future issue. I have also than-perfect, painful experiences and self- been demonstrating this connection to all awareness through the combination of of my students (in addition to my patients). insightful self-exploration and mindfulness I am now teaching graduate and under- work in the here and now. graduate psychology classes and have introduced this component for the stu- Mindfulness and Self-Compassion dents in each class that I teach. YTT There are two highly researchable con- structs that I believe explain at least some References of the reasons that yoga can be helpful at 1. Baer, R.A., Smith, G.T., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. (2006). Using self-report assessment times of deeply painful loss. As I have methods to explore facets of mindfulness. Assess- described, I personally have experienced ment, 13, 27–45. their usefulness and have worked with 2. Baer, R.A., Samuel, D.B., & Lykins, L.B. (2011). Dif- many patients to incorporate them into ferential item functioning on the five facet mindfulness their healing plan: mindfulness and self- questionnaire in demographically matched meditators and non-meditators. Assessment, 18, 3–10. compassion. Mindfulness is recognized as 3. Neff, K.D. (2003). Self-compassion: an alternative an important component of the healing conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. process and has been integrated into vari- Self and Identity, 2, 85–102. ous contemporary therapies. Mindfulness 4. Neff, K.D. (2003). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Iden- has at least five facets that have been tity, 2, 223–250. made operational psycho-metrically by Ruth Baer and her research collaborators.1-2 Taken together, they sug- gest a fairly refreshing and non-judgmen- tal posture toward both the inner self and outer-world experiences, one rooted in the present with no particular remembrance of the past. The capacity to attend in a focused, sensory, and non-verbal or think- ing way on present bodily and postural experience offers respite and a separate Morton Kissen, PhD, Dipl ABPP, has been sort of healing and grieving process from a professor of clinical psychology at the that provided by remembering. Derner Institute of Adelphi University, Garden City, NJ for over 35 years. He has Self-compassion is the capacity to written numerous books and articles on take care of oneself in a kind, yet not nar- individual and group psychotherapy and is cissistic or self-absorbed, interpersonally currently engaged in a research study of engaged fashion that is open to positive the relationships between yoga, mindful- affects and aspects of inner and outer ness, self-compassion, and stress. experience. Self-compassion has recently become the subject of empirical study.

26 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 27 Interview with Bo Forbes, PsyD

By Kelly Birch reflected in and often reinforced by each part of the mind-body network. Introduction It feels to me that we are poised to o Forbes is a scholar and a healer, experience a paradigm shift in the way we yet also a maverick. As a freshman conceptualize the origins and treatment of Bat the University of Chicago, Bo took emotional illnesses such as anxiety, classes at the graduate school of social depression, and chronic pain—and in the work. She earned her bachelor’s and mas- way we view the process of healing. We’re ter’s degree at the age of 21, after taking starting to acknowledge what isn’t working a brief detour into biopsychology, stress in our approach to emotional health, and management, biopsychosocial behavior, that’s the first step in any paradigm shift. and sleep research, and received her doc- torate at 25. Her experiences led her to Please talk a little more about this understand the emotional brain as not paradigm shift. simply thoughts and feelings, but as an intricate mind-body network that deter- A sea change is occurring in psychothera- mines neural, physical, and emotional py, psychiatry, and even medicine. We’re health. As a psychologist, and then later starting to expand our view of healing to as a yoga therapist and teacher, Bo’s encompass more than allopathic interven- Photo credit: InterPositive Media awareness of this network influenced her tions such as psychotherapy and medica- understanding of anxiety and depression. epidemics. Our current treatments of tion. Two-thirds of all people on antide- She is the founder of Integrative Yoga choice, psychotherapy and medication, pressants aren’t getting better. That is, Therapeutics, a method that utilizes the aren’t doing enough to stop them. 66% percent of all people on antidepres- tools of yoga to engage and transform the sants aren’t experiencing satisfactory mind-body network, and she directs the Anxiety and depression aren’t just symptom relief. In a medical setting, to New England School of Integrative Yoga mental, emotional, or biochemical; they’re continue to use interventions that don’t Therapeutics and their training Center in mind-body issues. And here’s the dilem- work 66% of the time would be considered Boston, which offers yoga therapeutics to ma: psychotherapy addresses the mind at the very least to be outside the realm of clients with physical and emotional issues. and to some extent the emotional regions best practices. Currently, over 40% of In many ways, as we’ll see from this dis- of the brain, while including a rich thera- Americans now seek out complementary cussion, the foundation of Bo’s early study peutic alliance. Medication targets the and alternative medicine, and that number and training served as a springboard for emotional regions of the brain and to is growing. People are starting to believe, her search for more innovative treatments some extent the physical body. But when along with their physicians and therapists, by integrating the fields of psychotherapy, we use just psychotherapy and medica- that there’s more to emotional balance yoga, and yoga therapy. tion, we’re addressing patterns in only two than mental processing or biochemical or three areas, while the rest of the mind- interventions. We’re coming to the under- I first heard Bo at her SYTAR plenary body network, as I call it, practices the old standing that we all possess within us a presentation in 2011, What is Mental patterns of anxiety and depression. bio-available technology for emotional Health Missing that Yoga Provides (and health: the mind-body network. This net- How Does Yoga Do That)?1 I was fascinat- What do you mean by the “mind-body work should be addressed as a comple- ed to hear her talk about the integration of network”? ment to psychotherapy and medication— psychotherapy and yoga therapy. In the and the more elements of the network we following discussion, we explore this topic The mind-body network contains the mind can involve in healing, the more fully we and its implications for both fields. and physical body, plus several elements heal. So we’re stepping into the first that play integral roles in depression and stages of this paradigm shift, which is a KB: What about the conventional ways anxiety: the autonomic nervous system, backdrop to changes occurring in the of approaching mental health is unsat- immune system, and enteric nervous sys- fields of yoga and yoga therapy. isfactory? tem (our belly brain), for example. It also houses our fascial web: the information Paradigm shifts tend to be threatening BF: The World Health Organization has superhighway of connective tissue that’s to people. How is the psychotherapy predicted that by the year 2020, depres- found throughout the body. Our pain path- community responding to this? sion will be the second biggest health ways belong in the mind-body conversa- problem on our planet, and by 2030, it will tion as well; we know that pain disorders Well, I think part of my dharma or life pur- be our number one global disease burden. are intimately connected to anxiety and pose is to be a paradigm-challenger. These astonishing statistics have serious depression. Anxiety and depression, then, That’s not an easy role to play: most peo- implications for global healthcare. Anxiety aren’t simply “biochemical illnesses.” ple respond with ambivalence. First, and depression are becoming worldwide They’re neuro-emotional patterns that are there’s an excitement, a sort of quickening.

28 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org Interview continued

ning. It’s getting us to start thinking, “How to a deeper part of myself, what might it If we acknowledge can we integrate these techniques into do for people suffering from anxiety, psychotherapy?” depression, and chronic pain?” I began to the importance, and study yoga more deeply, including yoga I’d say the impera- The dilemma is that as psychothera- philosophy, Sanskrit, and the Sivananda, pists, we’ve been trained our entire pro- Iyengar, and Vinyasa systems. I had a tive, of bringing the fessional careers not to go anywhere near small psychotherapy practice, and slowly body into psy- the body. Meditation is much easier to began to integrate yoga into that practice. integrate than yoga, because it doesn’t chotherapy, we involve touch. Later, I transitioned from “integrative have to come to psychotherapy” (psychotherapy that incor- terms fully with what Alongside these changes, more psy- porated yoga) to yoga therapy with less chotherapists view yoga therapy or group processing. The impact of this work was isn’t working in our classes as a valid adjunct to psychothera- more powerful than I ever would have profession. py. But I wonder if psychotherapists in imagined. I began to accept referrals from general accept how effective and even colleagues, mostly psychiatrists and holis- necessary it is to integrate yoga (or yoga tic physicians, and saw their clients as an Psychotherapists seem to love the concept therapy) directly into the actual session. adjunct yoga therapist. They began to give of bringing the body into treatment—they Our current paradigm shift will likely me feedback that as a result of this work, feel it’s the next step in the evolution of change this, but it may take another eight their clients began to access places in therapy. But their excitement is often tem- to ten years before we see widespread treatment that they’d been working togeth- pered with defensiveness, and under- acceptance for a structured and integra- er to reach for many years. More and standably so, when they consider what tive body-centered approach to ps- more psychotherapists and physicians the role of the body in emotional health ychotherapy. became excited about the possibilities of means for the future of talk therapy. And yoga therapy: one of my psychiatrist col- then there’s the issue of additional training If we acknowledge the importance, leagues told me that his patients who did that a psychotherapist might need to inte- and I’d say the imperative, of bringing the yoga had a greater ability to self-regulate grate the body into treatment. So there’s body into psychotherapy, we have to and to give him feedback about how medi- where the ambivalence often comes into come to terms fully with what isn’t working cations were working. Meanwhile, many play—and I can relate to that. in our profession. This reckoning compels of the trainees in our teacher-training pro- us to seek training in yoga and the body. gram brought into their But I’m optimistic: psychotherapy is in So when I say these things to psychother- psychotherapy sessions, with tremendous a rich transition right now. Decades ago, apists and the initial “glow” of the mes- results. Several psychotherapists contact- pioneers in therapy introduced body-cen- sage wears off, I often encounter a primal ed me to say that the fifteen minutes in tered methods such as sensorimotor inte- sense of upset. And I can empathize; I’ve which they did restorative poses without gration and Hakomi therapy. They were been there myself. It’s what caused me to processing was incredibly powerful, but in the first to say that the body played a role explore this integrative work in the first a way that differed distinctly from the ver- in emotional healing. They offered place. But it’s earth-shattering to realize bal breakthroughs they experienced. They exploratory, process-focused techniques that one’s career needs to take such a wanted to know what this “restorative ther- to psychotherapists, and their work plant- radical shift in trajectory, especially given apeutics stuff” was, and how it worked. All ed seeds that are now growing in new the time and resources we’ve invested in these signs told me that we were on to ways. our training. something really transformative.

We’ve begun to take steps toward a When and how did you start to inte- Over the last decade and a half, with more integrated mind-body approach to grate yoga into your psychotherapy the help of my community here in Boston, emotional healing. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s semi- practice? I’ve developed and fine-tuned an nal work has brought mindfulness-based approach to emotional and physical heal- stress reduction (MBSR) into mainstream As a young psychotherapist, I worked with ing that I call Integrative Yoga Therapeu- psychotherapy. My colleagues at the Insti- clients who had suffered from eating disor- tics (IYT). We have a center in the Boston tute for Meditation and Psychotherapy ders, substance abuse, and mood disor- area where we’ve worked with a variety of based here in Boston have played an inte- ders, among other issues. I worked in psy- clients and special issues, including oncol- gral role in furthering this work; they train chiatric hospital and outpatient settings. ogy, chronic pain, and mood disorders. psychotherapists in bringing meditative Throughout this time, I felt like there was Our school, the New England School of practices into psychotherapy. something missing in psychotherapy. This Integrative Yoga Therapeutics (NESIYT), ignited a long search in which I experi- has a 200-hour and 500-hour teacher You know, psychotherapists experi- mented with different forms of comple- training and a yoga therapy training pro- ence a high rate of burnout and emotional mentary and alternative medicine, includ- gram. We teach large and small group contagion from their work. More psy- ing hands-on healing and acupuncture. classes and offer yoga therapeutics group chotherapists are turning to yoga and But my first yoga class was an epiphany: sessions as well as individual sessions. meditation to help with stress resilience I asked myself, “If yoga can make me feel and rejuvenation. And that’s a great begin- this emotionally balanced, this connected (Continued on page 30) www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 29 Interview continued

IYT is a living, breathing system: it has Bo Forbes teaches structure and consistency, but it also con- the art of propping tinually adapts to the feedback of our supported reclining community’s teachers, trainees, students, twist pose in her and clients. You could say that the system Integrative Yoga is the result of an ongoing collective effort. Therapeutics teacher And we’ve had multiple clinical settings training. and a large clinical base through which to practice and refine our work. Photo credit: Leili Towfigh © 2013 What specifically prompted the shift from using yoga as an adjunct to psy- chotherapy to using yoga as an inte- gral part of the treatment?

Early on in sessions, when I first began to integrate my yoga and psychotherapy work, I’d have clients drop in to restorative postures and talk from that deeper place. They had life-changing insights during restorative sessions that differed from the mental “aha” experiences we’ve all wit- nessed or experienced. Then they’d jump up to process the insight and would com- pletely lose contact with the “felt” sense of the experience. I began to realize that the talking part of the session fosters mental insight—which is valuable, but on its own doesn’t lead to lasting change. Through restorative yoga people experience embodied insight, which to me is the key ingredient in transformation. I’ve since begun to minimize the processing part, and use it mostly at the beginning as a check-in, and at the end to wrap up.

What is “embodied insight”?

There are two types of embodied insight: So, psychotherapy without the body, sometimes it does! The storytelling func- we experience the first kind when mental in my opinion, can be incomplete, and tion can be useful, especially the first sev- insight or understanding “trickles down” may risk wiring in more deeply the mental eral times; it helps us bring themes and into the body and becomes integrated on patterns that reinforce anxiety and depres- concepts to conscious awareness. It almost a cellular level. The second is a sion. And when we practice yoga therapy allows our stories to be heard and more visceral, body-based insight or gno- without some form of training or specified embraced by others. The risk in psy- sis which can “trickle up” to the conscious focus on emotional health, we’re assum- chotherapy is that we can reinforce our mind, but may not necessarily do so—and ing that yoga therapy can heal any emo- stories and even build on them. it’s fine if the mind never comprehends tional issue. Both feel, to me, like extreme what’s happened. Embodied insight, to as well as limiting approaches. Recently I interviewed Joseph me, signals that the neural and even the LeDoux, a neuroscientist at NYU; he “pranic” wiring in our mind-body network shared some compelling research with has changed. This kind of change is utter- Can you give me an example of how me. Studies show that each time we retell ly life-transforming. The two states (mental psychotherapy can be limiting? a story or retrieve a memory, a specific understanding and embodied insight) are kind of protein synthesis occurs in the markedly different and sometimes mutual- As psychotherapists, we are trained in the brain. This means that we’ve added to our ly exclusive. I find that the process of Inte- art of interpretation, of capturing a story in story in some way and reinforced the neu- grative Yoga Therapeutics works better words. We connect our clients’ stories to ral networks connected to that story or when there is a carefully choreographed similar stories in the past to solidify memory. There may be times when telling dance between the two. themes in the hopes that mental under- a story may be therapeutic. And there standing can bring about change. And may be other times when it reinforces the (Continued on page 32)

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very patterns we’re trying to change. As symptoms of depression begin to lift, What kind of training do you recom- psychotherapists, it’s important to ask our- there’s actually more cause for worry. In mend for yoga therapists who want selves whether a story is constructive and fact, a slight lift in energy can increase the work specifically in mental health? novel, or whether it’s repetitive and count- risk for suicidal ideation and intent, so we er-productive. In trauma survivors, for need to do risk assessments at this point I believe that we need a wholly integrated example, they can find telling the story to in treatment. My concern is that without approach both to our clinical training and be helpful. But they also need to enter the more extensive training, yoga therapists to our sadhana [spiritual path]. If you look field of the body (and re-wire the nervous treating depression will encounter suicide at IAYT’s educational standards on mental system) for change to take place. ideation and attempts without the tools health, it only says “basic knowledge of with which to handle them. And medical mental health concepts.” That’s it! So as And what would be a limiting approach and psychiatric associations may chal- yoga therapists, we’ll be not only adjunct to yoga therapy? lenge us for scope-of-practice issues. Now therapists but often primary therapists for that yoga therapy is making forays into people with serious mental health issues. Classical yoga can ignore the body in a managed care, these scope-of-practice Two colleagues, Fiona Akhtar and Laura different way than psychotherapy. Some issues become an emerging concern. Douglass, collaborated with me on writing of my dearest colleagues in yoga therapy, for instance, feel that asana is limited in its therapeutic scope. I don’t agree. I think asana can be a vehicle to liberation. The body is sentient and intelligent. It infuses its presence into each limb of yoga. We can’t reach enlightenment, or even emo- tional health, without involving the body— not in an accidental way or as an acces- sory to meditation, but in a conscious and sophisticated process.

Also, classical yogis and yoga thera- pists sometimes seem to take the position that yoga will handle everything—that we don’t need to do any other emotional work ourselves. I’ve directly asked some of my colleagues who’ve been dedicated and long-term practitioners of and mantra meditation if yoga is taking care of Bo in scapula hang, a therapeutic heart-opening pose from the Integrative Yoga Therapeutics their emotional issues. Most have said system. Photo Credit: Simone Jowell Photography something like, “Well, I haven’t found the emotional balance I expected, but my I often mention to clients that I’m not a a position paper for the International practice has been a support.” They tell me psychotherapist, and I’ve had to be Journal of Yoga Therapy in 2011 on just their challenging patterns are still present, very clear on my scope of practice. this topic.2 I believe strongly that yoga ther- though yoga has helped them manage apy should declare mental health a sub- these patterns more effectively. Other That’s a great position, and one that specialty with its own attendant require- yogis don’t feel that they have any emo- requires courage and humility. I know that ments. If you have enough psychology tional issues to work on. But if a yoga specialty issues exist that someone else training embedded in a yoga therapy train- therapist hasn’t done any emotional “exca- might address with more efficacy than I ing program, you may not need a struc- vation,” the resulting blind spots will affect could, and it’s my responsibility to get my tured training, but I feel that we have to be the clinical work. client to that person. so careful with what we’re doing. I love the idea of a master’s program, or a one-year Can you describe a situation in which a Our dilemma is that most clients don’t intensive in counseling, something like yoga therapist might be lacking in disclose the full picture to us in the first that. knowledge when working with a client session, when the complete intake hap- who has mental health issues? pens and we can say “let me refer you to I’m well aware that my position can someone else.” They disclose their history frustrate yoga therapists who don’t have One situation comes immediately to mind: in bits and pieces, when they know it’s specialized training or background in psy- treating someone with severe (or vegeta- safe. And by the time they trust us, the chology. But in the beginning stages, as tive) depression. Through yoga therapy, therapeutic alliance has already formed, we really start to fuse this hybrid work, they may begin to feel better. Yoga thera- and we have two choices: we can contin- more structure is better. In our 500-hour pists often view this increase in energy as ue to see them and deal with scope-of- teacher training, for example, we built in an encouraging sign that yoga therapy is practice issues, or we can refer them out several mental health modules: addictive on the right track. But as psychothera- to someone else, which ruptures the ther- disorders, bipolar disorder, chronic pain pists, we know that when the vegetative apeutic alliance. disorders, eating disorder, anxiety, insom-

32 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org Interview continued nia, and depression. I brought those into Any closing thoughts? our training, and then added clinical prac- tica, so that our yoga therapists could do Through restorative We have the potential to be forerunners in this integrative work in mental health yoga people expe- the field of mind-body medicine. This issues with confidence. Even with this requires a grandness of vision and humility background, we added group supervision, rience embodied of spirit. Psychotherapy needs to incorpo- because clinical experience brings to light insight, which to me rate the body and honor the body’s role in many issues in the development of yoga is the key ingredient emotional transformation. And yoga thera- therapists, and we wanted an effective py should be prepared to address emo- way to layer their experiences of supervi- in transformation. tional issues in a grounded way—and sion and practice. there is room there for processing. In much the same way, our asana practice You mentioned earlier that the practice from the Institute of Meditation in Psy- should have meditative aspects, and our of yoga can’t always illuminate to us chotherapy who meets with my students meditation practice can be more effective the areas in which we need growth (our and with me as well. Issues come up in when it incorporates the body. Part of the blind spots). What about supervision both the yoga and yoga therapy trainings challenge here is discernment, to know for the supervisors themselves? that can elicit defensiveness in me, where when do we move, when do we do yoga I could easily dismiss concerns. But super- nidra or restoratives, and when might we It would behoove us to borrow from the vision helps me to reflect, to see where I’m want to put words to the process and ham- psychotherapy tradition and psychiatry not being as present or as graceful as I mer a frame around it. And this is where this essential concept of supervision. If can be. It highlights my blind spots. And by we all want to evolve to as clinicians. YTT we’re not receiving supervision, no one is definition, blind spots are blind! We all there to tell us of our blind spots, or where have them. And we can all benefit from the References we’re missing the boat. I can’t tell you how “super” vision that helps us identify and 1. Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research, Sep- tember 1-4, 2011. Asilomar Conference Grounds, humbling and growthful it is to have peo- work through them. Pacific Grove, CA. ple who do that for me. In my teacher- 2. Forbes, B., Akhtar, F., & Douglass, L. (2011). Train- training program I have a psychologist ing issues in yoga therapy and mental health treat- ment. International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 21:7–11.

www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 33 TrainingReport The Minded Institute’s Yoga Therapy for Mental Health Training By Eve Menezes Cunningham and Practicing lion pose Louise Kitchener to increase circulation to facial muscles and Introduction enhance parasympathet- Louise Kitchener (LK): I had been teach- ic activation. ing yoga for six years when I sat myself down one spring and asked myself, “What Photo credit: Alexander Michl next?” I loved teaching yoga in general—I found it fulfilling and inspiring—but I want- ed something more focused. I was practic- ing yoga for mental clarity, and it was clear that without yoga my mental wellbeing took a downturn, and my students were saying the same about their own practice. Many people were stating anxiety and depres- sion on their intake forms as a reason for taking yoga classes. I began searching online for yoga trainings that focused on mental health; I found The Minded Institute (TMI)—and it all fit together. The course takes place over 18 cover emergency scenarios as well as the months. In England, there are thirteen mod- ethics and the limitations of yoga therapy. Eve Menezes Cunningham (EMC): I’d ules, each taking place over four-day blocks. been writing about psychology, health, The training in the United States will be in 11 We had a great deal of required read- and wellbeing (including a lot about yoga) five-day blocks, totaling 550 hours. Our ing, a hefty course manual with review since 2004. I had been running a coach- training site was Kensal Rise at The Special questions for each module, client ing and complementary therapy practice, Yoga Centre, and all the training took place taking additional trainings in neurolinguis- in a large, fully kitted-out yoga studio. sessions to write up, and essays to write. tic programming and emotional freedom Aside from study we were required to do technique, and became a psychosynthesis Each weekend covers at least one daily practice and journal about our expe- counselor. physiological system, how it is influenced rience. We were constantly called to look by stress, and different chronic diseases deeper into ourselves. Further, at the end I’d had a sporadic yoga practice for associated with it. Heather Mason, the of the training students who wished to many years, and psychosynthesis coun- founder and owner of the Minded Institute, work toward accreditation with the British seling includes some bodywork (tracking also covers relevant yoga and mindful- Council of Yoga Therapy were required to sensation, using imagery, and, sometimes, ness research regarding these conditions take a five-day, mostly silent, retreat. movement). Yet, the idea of using yoga to and offers TMI’s recommendations for Upon passing the course, students are retrain my brain (and teaching future working with clients with these conditions. granted the Yoga Therapist for Mental clients do the same) seemed innovative Because the training is geared toward Health certification. as well as practical. Moreover, as TMI mental health, each module covers a operates from a person-centered model, mental health disorder from both a yogic LK: Therapeutic skills were explored in wherein the worldview of the client is and Western medical perspective. We detail from the start; techniques included paramount in devising the treatment, I speak about diagnosis, common treat- mirroring, how to create effective yet com- knew the training would not just be scien- ments, comorbidities that exist with each passionate boundaries, as well as use of tific and impersonal but also deeply sup- mental health issue, its neurological corre- appropriate language and consideration of portive and compassionate, with attention lates, and how yoga and mindfulness can the placebo effect. Mindfulness itself, being to my own journey. influence it for the better. This includes such an important facet of the training both anxiety disorders and mood disorders for clients and practitioners, was demon- Structure of the Training such as uni- and bipolar depression, strated in the therapist-client relationship by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder allowing the client’s own healing process to EMC: The Minded Institute’s yoga therapy (ADHD), eating disorders, psychosis, and unfold rather than being designed by the training is suitable for yoga instructors; addictions. therapist, by holding the space clearly mental health practitioners, including psy- through body language, intention, and chotherapists, counselors, and psycholo- Yogic philosophy is woven into each speech. That said, we became well prac- gists; and other healthcare professionals topic along with psychotherapeutic and ticed in recognizing signs of emotional with an interest in mental health. It is a assessment skills. To ensure an embodied flooding and the need for us to manage this blend of yoga therapy, psychotherapeutic experience for the trainees, there is yoga with very clear and direct steps to take, holding, neuroscientific principles, the teaching practice and group and partner specifically for clients with PTSD. physiological relationship between body experiential learning almost every day, systems and disease, and mindfulness to and pranayama and mindfulness tech- These techniques were initially support clients who are stressed, anxious, niques are incorporated into most days. In explored through experiential pairings with depressed, traumatized, or suffering from addition, we are trained to teach the Yoga other students, which would be part role- chronic diseases. Therapy for the Mind eight-week course. play, part based on our own real experi- We also learn some business skills and ences. From this we built to working one-

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Discussion about nature ous therapies helped me override my of practice for treatment painful default settings, but TMI training of anxiety. revolutionized things: I loved learning that sometimes, no matter how motivated we Photo credit: Alexander Michl are, we can’t necessarily think or talk our way better. This is in part due to the way our brain is wired. However, we can move or breathe differently and that will begin to change the signals sent between body and brain, giving rise to relaxation and ease. I love being able to share physiolog- ical explanations with clients that help them be kinder to themselves rather than blaming themselves for feeling bad.

The mindfulness and spiritual ele- on-one in client sessions, first with friends in the area of how mindfulness influences ments of the training also helped me con- and family, and toward the end of the neural correlates of pain processing, lec- solidate things I’d trained in many years course, with people with mild-to-moderate tured on mindfulness and pain; and Lana ago. Professionally, I qualified as a coun- mental health challenges. Each module Jackson, DClinPsy, a clinical psychologist selor, and since passing this training last required us to work with three clients, with who works with adolescents using yogic year I am really excited about moving constant supervision throughout the and mindfulness approaches, lectured on things forward. Heather’s hired me to work course. We also had a lecture regarding mindfulness, yoga, adolescence, and with TMI for their PR, marketing, social emergency situations, including appropri- ADHD. media, and web work, and that fits really ate questioning of suicidal intentions in well with my journalism and client work. It order to assess situations. Personal and Professional Benefits also means that I’ll stay up to date with of the Training cutting-edge research in the field. Heather The Minded Institute Faculty is dedicated to providing students with the LK: Professionally, the training fulfilled most current knowledge. YTT Heather Mason is the main lecturer, cov- exactly what I wanted it to—it gave me ering neuroscience, mindfulness, stress the knowledge, skills, and confidence to and disease, physiology, and anxiety and work as a yoga therapist for mental health mood disorders. Heather has MAs in Bud- populations. In one-on-one sessions I see dhist Studies and in Psychotherapy and the most transformation—I now have a training in neuroscience at the MSc level. spiritual and scientific understanding of She is an RYT-500, a yoga therapist, and yogic principles that I can tailor according a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to my client’s worldview. I recently gradu- (MBCT) facilitator. The rest of the faculty ated from the training, and people are are all Yoga Therapist for Mental Health already searching me out as someone (TMI) certified. Felicity Spencer lectures who works specifically with mental health. Louise Kitchener is a yoga teacher and on experiential anatomy. She is a yoga I’ve just started teaching my first Yoga Yoga Therapist for Mental Health in Nor- teacher and physical therapist who has Therapy for the Mind eight-week course, wich. She co-runs the Yoga Home in Cen- worked in public and private mental health created by Heather Mason for the treat- tral Norwich (www.yogahappy.co.uk, settings in Australia. Samantha Bottrill lec- ment of depression and anxiety. Teaching www.norwichyogahome.co.uk). tures on psychology and yoga and eating the course is one of the many things stu- disorders. She is an RYT-200 and a clini- dents can do on completion of the train- cal psychologist. Sam supervises trainees ing. We are also trained to develop our both in her role as a clinical psychologist own courses and build our own models as and Yoga for the Mind Therapist. Veena well as to deliver private therapy. I chose Ugargol lectures on neuroscience, the to use Heather’s model first, and the endocrine system, and psychobiology of course is fully booked! stress. Veena is a yoga teacher and yoga researcher. Shaura Hall lectures on yoga On a personal level, the training has philosophy and yoga for addictions. Shau- been the biggest challenge of my learning life. In terms of time, studying, and home- Eve Menezes Cunningham is a Yoga ra is a Kundalini Yoga teacher and has Therapist for Mental Health, psychosyn- engaged in research on yoga and the work the course was demanding, but any- thing less than that and I would have felt thesis counselor, coach and complemen- brain for addictions. tary therapist, and freelance psychology, disappointed. The level of knowledge health, and wellbeing journalist Guest Lecturers given and expected was so high, that for (www.evemenezescunningham.co.uk). the first time in my yoga career I felt a She runs The Wellbeing at Work Consul- In addition to the faculty, several guest sense of validity and accomplishment; that tancy (www.wellbeing-at-work.co.uk) in lecturers addressed our group. For exam- I had something to offer way above and Essex, UK. ple, Daniel Siegel, MD, and Patricia Ger- beyond my basic . I barg, MD, spoke about neuroscience; have a niche now; I can offer something To find out more about The Minded Insti- Chris Streeter, MD, assistant professor at unique and most of all I feel great pride in tute’s Professional Therapy and Yoga the Boston University School of Medicine, knowing that I can help. And more than Therapy for Mental Health, please visit lectured on yoga anxiety and GABA; Sat ever, I have great faith in yoga as a form of www.yogaforthemind.info. Heather Mason Bir Khalsa, PhD, one of the world’s lead- healing. will be offering her first US-based Minded ing yoga researchers, lectured on yogic Therapy Professional Training in Boston mechanisms and yoga therapy and EMC: When I started coaching, I learned April 2014 and will continue to offer her research; Tim Gard, a leading researcher ways to manage my difficult feelings. Vari- London-based training.

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Your Brain on Yoga Determining the effective “dose” is becoming a topic of increasing importance in yoga research. It is pragmatic knowl- A Harvard Medical School Guide edge that yoga-referring medical professionals will want to relay By Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, PhD, with Jodie Gould to patients, that beginning practitioners will want to track, and it Rosetta Books (2012) makes sense in the ever-competitive world of obtaining grant Review by Stephanie M. Shorter, PhD funding for research, especially for CAM topics like yoga therapy. Longer research protocols translate into bigger funding requests. arvard-based yoga researcher and neurosci- In summary, Your Brain on Yoga is a fine step in the direc- Hentist Dr. Sat Bir Khalsa tion of making yoga research results more accessible to the gen- has teamed up with award-win- eral public. The book seems less geared for deepening one’s ning journalist Jodie Gould to understanding of therapeutic yoga if you are already working in produce an overview of the the field, but rather an introductory primer or a summarizing research on the benefits of a review for new yoga practitioners, or perhaps yoga practitioners regular yoga practice. Your Brain beginning to get interested in research, and would-be referring on Yoga is a concise e-book physicians who could use a go-to source for all the highpoints of (about 50 pages) that makes for the therapeutic yoga research literature. a fast and rewarding read on how practicing yoga can change In summarizing the evidence base for the healing benefits of our mental, emotional, and phys- yoga, the authors have made it easier for medical professionals ical fitness. The authors set out to refer their patients to the practice—and this is exactly the to “explain how yoga and medi- crossover we need between the research and clinical worlds. tation can change your brain and, thereby, your life.” Indeed! YTT

Your Brain on Yoga is organized into five chapters: Your Brain on Stress; Your Body on Yoga; Your Smarter Brain on Stephanie M. Shorter, PhD, is the Program Director for the Yoga; Your Mood on Yoga; Finding the Right Style of Yoga for YogaFit Therapy Program. A former neuroscience researcher You. The Introduction starts with the question of whether yoga and professor, she is the creator of the popular Yoga for the can effectively reduce the stress that makes us look and feel Brain 20-hour training. beyond our years—a timely question as multiple studies have shown that stress reduction is the top reason why many new practitioners first step onto their mats. Your Brain on Yoga returns again and again to the idea of physiologically bolstering against the allostatic load of stress while also changing the per- ception of what is a stressor and the psychological weight with which that stressor comes at you in the moment. It is elegant phrasing to talk about being in relationship to our stressors.

The book covers how yoga helps manage mood and stress, improves cognitive performance, and alleviates many medical conditions. Most chapters kick off with an anecdotal story, then several research studies are presented in each chapter. The final chapter contains cursory but appreciated coverage of several different styles of yoga, and puts an exclamation point behind the notion built up in earlier pages that yoga is not one size fits all. Armed with this guiding chapter, the reader can start finding his or her perfect practice, with permission and encour- agement to be discerning of internal sensations in the body, thinking of them as clues for finding that nourishing practice, and knowing that the first yoga class he or she walks into is not rep- resentative of all the available styles of yoga classes out there. Interestingly, there are short practice techniques peppered throughout the book, but just be aware that they draw exclusively from the author’s Kundalini Yoga tradition, so they do not provide a sampler of these different styles for the newbie practitioner.

I would have liked to see more information on the dose- response curve or, in other words, how much yoga practice is typically needed in order to achieve a therapeutic result. The issue is only raised very briefly in a quote by a young vinyasa practitioner when she astutely says, “… now I realize it isn’t the amount of time, it’s the frequency.”

38 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 39 Mentor’s Cornercontinued Perspectives continued

(Mentor’s Corner continued from page 14) (Perspectives continued from page 18)

soles (all toes curled under) and hold followed by less client resistance. the contraction for increasing number of breaths (1-8). If you experience a lot of In 1979, Strupp and While this example may seem simplis- cramping initially, don’t force. Do several Hadley threw the tic relative to yoga, it offers a parsimonious quick contract and releases, stretching account of scientific methodology used to the toes up. Gradually increase your field of psychology assess therapeutic process. The fields of ability to hold the contraction as the fas- nursing, behavioral interaction research, cia softens up. on its ear. and intervention science have continued to develop methods, measures, and analytic 3. Practice moving each of your toes indi- techniques to assess therapeutic dynamics vidually, initially using your hand to pre- anxiety. The severity of individuals’ symp- and outcomes that were inaccessible in the vent clusters of toes moving together, toms ranged from mild to moderately era of Freud and his contemporaries. until your toes move independently. severe. Comparison of the two therapist groups revealed that, on average, those In spite of the advances in science, 4. Begin to work the feet like this progres- treated by professors evidenced as much there will continue to be non-specific fac- sively in (mountain pose): improvement as those treated by profes- tors in psychotherapy that account for stretch and undulate; toe curl and con- sional therapists. Strupp and Hadley con- behavior change. Therapy is, after all, a tract. cluded that “non-specific factors” in the dynamic and individual process that is helping relationship were largely responsi- subject to a multitude of variables that 5. Work the deep contraction of the feet ble for symptom change. progressively into postures like cannot be measured simultaneously. (powerful pose), warriors 1 Yoga, with its attention to the physical, This idea of non-specific factors in psychological, and spiritual domains, is no and 2, and bridge (I still use the one- psychotherapy is not considerably differ- legged bridge variation described exception. In fact, the multidimensional ent from the phenomena that we witness aspects of the yoga process may render it above). and experience as yoga practitioners and even more difficult to measure and under- 6. Always stretch the feet after strength yoga therapists. Some elements of thera- stand. This does not, however, make it work. peutic success are, by their very nature, impossible. endemic to the process. These might 7. Work with one-legged balance with the include the interpersonal dynamics Perhaps it is time for yoga therapists eyes closed and move your body in between the therapist and patient, the and researchers to make peace with the space rather than holding it static as in patient’s relationship to his or her practice, fact that there are many aspects of yoga tree pose; this helps recalibrate proprio- or the ways in which the practice fulfills a therapy processes, methods, and out- ception from the inside. spiritual or psychological need on the part comes that can and will be empirically of the client. Some ideas seem rather 8. Stop wearing hard-last shoes that hold assessed and scientifically evaluated and ethereal, ubiquitous, or immeasurable. that there are many non-specific factors your foot in a fixed position for long That does not, however, mean that they periods of time. While they may feel that will remain a mystery. We can be cannot be measured. receptive to the research that needs to be supportive at the time, they limit move- conducted in order to establish yoga ther- ment and therefore are ultimately dam- Several decades ago, a number of apy as a respected discipline in Western aging to the health of the fascia. researchers began devising methodologi- healthcare, and simultaneously respectful cal and statistical techniques to quantify of the legacy of tradition that guides our This is just a taster to get you started. I and understand the micro- and macro- efforts. The future of yoga therapy and its wish you all happier, healthier feet in the social dynamics that occur during psy- integration into modern medicine may chotherapy sessions.3 In one such study, near future. Many Blessings. YTT depend upon it. YTT Patterson and Forgatch4 sought to disen- Reference tangle which aspects of client-therapist References 1. Childer, J. (2009). Common Interest Community interactions led to client behavior change. Presentation: Yoga Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis. 1. Wampold, B.E. (2001). The great psychotherapy Mothers’ behaviors during videotaped fam- debate. Models, methods, and findings. Mahwah: ily therapy sessions were coded using six Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. mutually exclusive categories: “interrupt,” 2. Strupp, H.H., & Hadley, S.W. (1979). Specific vs Robin Rothenberg is nonspecific factors in psychotherapy. A controlled “negative attitude,” “confront,” “own agen- study of outcome. Archives of Gen Psychiatry, 36(10), an internationally rec- da,” “not tracking,” and an aggregate of ognized yoga therapist, 1125-1136. cooperative behavior. Therapist’s behavior 3. Gottman, J.M., & Bakeman, R. (1979). The sequen- teaching in hospitals tial analysis of observational data. In S. Suomi, M. and clinics in the Seat- was coded using seven mutually exclusive categories that included “support,” “teach,” Lamb, & G. Stephenson (Eds.), Social interaction tle area. She offers an analysis: methodological issues (pp. 185-206). Madi- RYT-500 teacher train- “question,” “confront,” “reframe,” “talk,” and son: University of Wisconsin Press. ing and comprehensive “facilitate.” In their analyses, Patterson and 4. Patterson, G.R, and Forgatch, M.S. (1985). Thera- yoga therapist training Forgatch4 discovered that therapists’ pist behavior as a determinant for client noncompli- for experienced teachers. Robin is the attempts to “educate” (i.e., “teach” and ance: a paradox for the behavior modifier. Journal of author of The Essential Low Back Pro- “confront”) were associated with mothers’ Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53(6), 846-851. gram: Relieve Pain & Restore Health, and increased noncompliance, whereas “facili- Soothing the Spirit: Yoga Nidra to Reduce tation” and “support” were related to Anxiety (CD). increased compliance. Building upon these B. Grace Bullock, PhD, findings, they then manipulated when ther- E-RYT is the editor-in- apists used teaching (“teach” and “con- chief of the Internation- front”) strategies. They discovered that al Journal of Yoga- therapist “teach” and “confront” behaviors Therapy. Her clinical were typically followed by increases in client noncompliance (e.g., “interrupt”, work and research link “negative attitude”, “confront”), and the evidence-based mod- absence of teaching behaviors were els of psychotherapy with yoga therapy.

40 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 41 Members News continued

(Annual Report continued from page 5)

Website We have outgrown our website, first developed in 2004. We have signed up with a professional association manage- ment software service called YourMem- bership.com. This should greatly expand and solidify our integrated database and website. But this is only technology. We also need what I call a “website editor” to bring the content and membership servic- es together. We just don’t have the means to support this at this time. Eleanor Criswell Susan Gould-Fogerite Bob Butera

Financial Statements IAYT initiated our first outside audit last year, paid for by a generous donation from IAYT Board News one of our board members. I’m pleased to By John Kepner, Executive Director Bob Butera, PhD, was reelected to the report that we passed with an unqualified board for a full three-year term. Among his opinion. This was greatly aided by the support and guidance provided by our Eleanor Criswell, EdD, left the board many tangible contributions so far is Bob’s long-term outside CPA, Kathy Qualls, and in February following eight years of serv- counsel, which has helped us improve our the accounting and financial recordkeep- ice. She was president of the board her publications and advertising policies. Bob ing acumen of Debra Krajewski, our multi- last three years. Dr. Criswell was a mem- is the board liaison to the Accreditation talented financial and conference manager. ber of the original board of the “renewed” Committee and has helped us gain a IAYT, after IAYT spun off from the Yoga broader, more classical perspective on Our Fundamental Challenge Research and Education Center in 2004 yoga therapy. My recent trip to several IAYT is overwhelmingly supported by vol- and Trisha Lamb and I re-established Indian yoga institutes strengthened my untary member dues. Our challenge is to IAYT as an independent nonprofit organi- appreciation of that perspective. Bob is provide real value to each and every zation. Eleanor has seen and contributed also chair of the Nominations Committee. member well over the cost of member- to all the major developments in IAYT YTT ship, each and every year. This year we since that time. In recent years, however, are poised to make a major step forward perhaps her most notable accomplishment with professional accreditation services. was championing the Policy Governance Your suggestions on how we can improve Model adopted by IAYT. This is a mile- IAYT-Sponsored our service to you and our field are wel- Conferences, Spring come! And your suggestions on how we stone in the maturing of the governance of can fund improved services are especially our association. Another notable accom- and Summer 2013 welcome. Feel free to write directly to me plishment of Eleanor’s was leading IAYT’s at [email protected]. YTT new presence in India. She has traveled National to India each of the past three years, Ayurvedic Med- speaking at conferences, representing ical Association. In Service, IAYT, and establishing personal and pro- April 18-21, John fessional relationships with many of the Albuquerque, leading yoga institutes. Eleanor has a New Mexico. IAYT is a long-time part- gentle demeanor coupled with a keen, ner to the NAMA conference and will insightful, strategic mind, and a remark- have a table there. Come and see us! able memory. She has been an innovative IAYT members can attend at NAMA leader in yoga in academia and mind- member fees. body medicine for over four decades and she is still going strong. IAYT, and I per- Yoga Service sonally, have greatly benefited from her Council. June 7-9, sage counsel for many years. at the Omega Insti- tute in Rhinebeck, Susan Gould-Fogerite, PhD, also left New York. Kelly John Kepner, MA, MBA. the board after her two-year term ended McGonigal (former editor of the Inter- Executive Director this past February. Dr. Gould-Fogerite national Journal of Yoga Therapy) and International Association of Yoga Thera- served on the SYR 2011 Scientific Pro- long-time IAYT member Beryl Bender pists gram Committee and Pre-Conference fac- Birch will be presenting. Kelly Birch, ulty, and also served as the IAYT Secre- editor of YTT, will also be there as the tary. We thank her for her service. Her editor of the Yoga Service Council’s thoughtful, conscientious approach to new publication, the Journal of Yoga everything she did was a model for all Service. of us.

42 YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 www.iayt.org IAYT Member Schools (as of February 1, 2013)

IAYT School Membership is for schools with, or considering, yoga therapist certification programs. The objectives of this program are to recognize schools that provide professional yoga therapist training, to help students find the right yoga therapist training program for them, and to further our field by developing standards for the training of yoga therapists. The IAYT Accreditation Committee is cur- rently developing an application form for the accreditation of programs that meet the new IAYT Educational Standards for the Training of Yoga Therapists.

Supporting Phoenix Rising Yoga AUM hOme Shala Healing Yoga Foundation Mount Madonna Sacred Rivers Yoga for Yoga Club Therapy Clinical Yoga Therapy Cer- Yoga Therapy Training Ratna Jenna Sturz Every Body 200/500 hr. Therapeutic School Members PRYT Practitioner & Teacher tification Program Level 1, Program and Brajesh Friedberg 500 Hr. Teacher Training Yoga Teacher Training Trainings II and III Kate Halcombe with Yoga Therapy Chrys Kub E-RYT-500, PT American Viniyoga Beth Triano and Melinda Atkins Mount Royal University Emphasis Institute and Chase Bossart and Melanie Snyder Jen Munyer Yoga Therapy Certificate Paula Scopino RYT-200 AVI Viniyoga Therapist Australian Institute of Madeline Kapiczowski Training Heaven Wellness & Yoga Pranakriya School of Yoga Yoga Therapy Institute and Katelyn Powers San Diego College of Yoga Energy Studio Gary Kraftsow Healing Arts Graduate Certificate in Yoga Ayurveda Yoga Therapist Training Ayurveda Yoga Therapy Pranakriya Yoga Therapy Therapy Karen Claffey New England School of NAMA approved Ayurveda Certification Ananda Seva Guru Kula Yoganand/ Michael Carroll Leigh Blashki Integrative Yoga Yoga Therapy Health Institute Timothy Ganley and Marlysa Sullivan and Janet Lowndes Himalayan Institute Therapeutic Educator and Sylvie Vasiliki Binga Yoga Therapy Certificate Integrative Yoga Midori Hatekayama- Training Himalayan Institute Stress Management Black Mountain Yoga Sarah Goddard and Sandra Therapeutics Simovich Yoga for Seniors Maetreyii Nolan, PhD Center of Marin Yoga Therapy Training Bo Forbes and Monica Groover and Ananda Deviika Ma’ Anderson Therapeutic Yoga for 200/300/500 hr. Teacher Martia Rachman Seniors Teacher Training M.Sc. Training in Yoga Therapy and Brad Rachman Niroga Institute SAVY International Inner Peace Yoga Therapy Kimberly Carson Robin Gueth Inner Peace Yoga Therapy Niroga Institute Yoga Ther- SAVY Yoga Therapy 800 and Carol Krucoff Asheville Yoga Center Tai Sophia Body Balance Yoga apy Specialist Training Hr,1600 Hr 500 Hr. YA Therapeutics Certification Program Tai Sophia Institute Body Balance Yoga Therapy Michelle Lawrence Bidyut K. Bose, PhD Jitender Krishan Sahdev Yoga Institute Teacher Training Kimberly Duncan PhD Training Stephanie Keach e-RYT-500 Yoga Teacher Training Jenny Otto Institute of Classical Nosara Yoga Institute Scottsdale Community Course with Yoga Therapy WholeBeing Institute and Lisa Long Self-Awakening Yoga College Body Balance Yoga Yoga and Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra YogaSpire Therapy Therapeutics Training SCC Yoga Therapy and Hansaji Yogendra Body Balance Yoga Therapy Megan McDonough CEO Body Therapies Yoga Don and Amba Brah- Certificate Program Training Classical Yoga Therapy and Elissa Cobb Training Jiwan Goyal manand Carlyn Sikes Yoga North Jenny Otto and Lisa Long 300/500 Hr. Yoga Therapist Stapleton 500 hr. Yoga Therapeutics Yoga Bloom Training Integrative Restoration Shine On Yoga Training Gurukul Yoga Holistic Yoga Bloom Yoga Therapy Heather Greaves One Spirit Center for 500 Hr. Advanced Yoga Center Institute Molly McManus Training and Pradeep Kumar MD, Integrative Restoration Sacred Study Therapy Certification and Ann Maxwell GYHC Yoga Therapist Cora Wen DAC One Spirit Yoga Therapist Amber Melendy Training (iRest) Yoga Nidra Richard C. Miller, PhD Training Yoga School Prashant Joshi and Manju Yoga Therapy Rx at Center for Contemplative Gracia McKinley Stress Management Cen- Joshi Yoga School Yoga Thera- Loyola Marymount Therapy Integrative Yoga Therapy and Lisa Bergly Tricia ter of Marin pist Training University Contemplative Yoga Sletten 200/300/500 hr. Teacher Heartland Yoga Therapy Professional Yoga Therapy Becky Gelatt ERYT-500, Yoga Therapy Rx Certi- Therapy Training Joseph Le Page Training in Yoga Therapy AVI-CYT Heartland Yoga Therapist fication K. Orr Pacific Rim College Robin Gueth Training Larry Payne, PhD Center for Meditation Integrative Yoga Therapy Foundations of Yogatherapy Yoga Teachers School of Nancy Schalk and Rick Morris, DC, L1, Science Certificate program-310 Subtle Yoga Training Center Excellence Richard Usatine, MD L2 300 Hr. Meditation Spe- Integrative Yoga Therapy hrs & Diploma of Yogath- Subtle Yoga Teacher Train- Certified Yoga Therapist Heaven Wellness & Yoga David Allen, MD, L3 cialist erapy-1270 hrs ing for Behavioral Health Institute Training Training Competency Training Michal Yarkoni and Nikki Manzie Professionals Deborah Perry Yoga Therapist Training YogaFit Training Systems Susan Taylor PhD, Elizabeth Flemming LPC Karen Claffey Gill Solberg Inc. APMSIII-BC Paramanand Institute and Kristine Kaoverii Weber Yoga Therapy International YogaFit Therapy Program of Yoga Sciences and MA, eRYT-500 Wellness International School of Yoga Therapy Diploma Stephanie Shorter Centerpoint Yoga Therapy Kundalini Yoga Research Program - 1000 Hours 350/500 Hr.Yoga-Qigong and Beth Shaw School 300 Hr. Yoga Therapy Surya Chandra Healing Therapy/Teacher Training International Kundalini Maggie Reagh Centerpoint Anatomy of Yoga Therapy Training Certification Training Yoga School Sujun Chen School Members Yoga Therapy Dr. Guruji Omanand 1200 hr. Yoga Therapy GuruDharam Singh Khalsa Yoga Tune Up Leila Stuart and Darryl O’Keeffe and Dr. V.P. Bansal Training Yoga Tune Up Therapist Institute for Medical Yoga 7 Centers Yoga Arts JJ Gormley-Etchells Yoga Therapist Training Training 300 Hour Yoga Therapy Dynamic Therapeutic KC Fitness Link Phoenix Rising Yoga Jill Miller Goran Boll Training Course Resources Inc. Therapy Svastha Yoga and Yoga Therapist Training and Allison McReady Ruth Hartung AxiOm Yoga Therapy Program PRYT Practitioner & Ayurveda Integrative Restoration Certification Teacher Trainings Svastha Yoga of Krishna- Institute Darryl Olive Yogacampus Abhyasa Yoga Center Julie Whitbeck-Lewinski Beth Triano macharya Therapy Program Yoga Therapy Diploma Integrative Restoration AYC Therapeutic Yoga and Jen Munyer Ganesh Mohan (iRest) Yoga Nidra kula-kamala-yoga Program Training EquiLibrium Thai Massage 800 Hours PYT (Profes- Dr. Lisa Kaley-Isley Richard C. Miller, PhD J. Brown & Yoga Therapy Pranakriya School of Yoga Tai Sophia sional Yoga Therapist) and and Anna Blackmore Uma Yoga for MySelf: Yoga Healing Hearts Through Healing Arts Tai Sophia Institute Dinsmore-Tuli Integrative Yoga Therapy Ajna Yoga Therapy for MS Training Pranakriya Yoga Therapy Kimberly Duncan PhD Professional Yoga Therapy Yoga Certification 500 Hr, Yoga Therapy Nathalie de Meyenburg Sudha Allitt Yoganand/ Michael Carroll YogaFit Training Systems Joseph Le Page Training and Marlysa Sullivan Tensegrity Yoga Therapy Inc. Jules Payne Essential Yoga Therapy Marianne Wells Yoga Center YogaFit Therapy Program International School of Essential Yoga Therapy: PranaYoga & Ayurveda 300 Hr. Yoga Therapist Kundalini Yoga School Stephanie Shorter American Viniyoga Therapist Training 300 Hr. Yoga Therapy Mandala Internship and Beth Shaw International Kundalini Institute Robin Rothenberg Yoga Cikitsa Sherry Brourman E-RYT- Yoga Therapy Training Training AVI Viniyoga Therapist and Lynn Hughes, M.D., Marianne Wells ERYT-500 Hansa Knox 500, PT YogaLife Institute GuruDharam Singh Khalsa Training Psychiatrist and Leslie Kazadi RYT- and Darryl O’Keeffe and Marguerite Heie MPT, Comprehensive Yoga Gary Kraftsow OCS, RYT-200 Pranayoga School of Yoga 500, CT Therapy 300 hrs Etowah Valley Yoga and Health Kripalu School of Yoga & Robert Butera, PhD, Ananda Seva Guru Kula 600 hour Yoga Therapy Master Yoga Foundation 500 hr. Yoga Teacher Transformational Yoga ERYT500 Ayurveda Institute Training Training with Yoga Therapy Trainings Kripalu School of Yoga & Svaroopa Yoga Therapist and Kristen Butera, Yoga Therapy Certificate Susan Hopkins ERYT-500, Certification emphasis 300 Hr. Healing Our Backs ERYT500, CYT Ayurveda Training PYT Dani Vani McGuire with Yoga TM Nicole Flisher Nirmalananda Saraswati Maetreyii Nolan, PhD Director Lillah Schwartz Yogaspirit Studios and Ananda Deviika Ma’ Functional Synergy Yoga Professional Yoga Therapy MS, CYT, ERYT-500, RYS LifeForce Yoga Healing Michelle Mazur YogaTh- Yogaspirit Therapist Certifi- M.Sc. Therapy erapy Center Professional Yoga Thera- cation Program Institute Functional Synergy Thera- pist Program for Licensed TriYoga Boston LifeForce Yoga Practitioner Michelle Mazur Yoga Kim Valeri peutic Yoga Training Therapy 200 hour teacher Medical Professionals 500 Hr. Therapeutic Yoga Training Ananda Yoga Therapist Susi Hately Ginger Garner MPT, ATC, Teacher Training Amy Weintraub training and 300 hour Yogatsu Institute Training therapy training ERYT500 Brahmi (Beth) Gold- Yogatsu Institute Yoga Mangala Loper-Powers Glenmore Yoga Wellness Bernstein MindBody Centering Yoga Michelle Mazur E-RYT- Therapy RN, MN, eRYT-500 Center 500, CYT Purusha Yoga School Alice Strauss MindBody Centering Yoga Glenmore Therapeutic Yoga Purusha Yoga Therapy weewA Therapy Training and Russ Phieffer Ashtanga Yoga Tel Aviv Teacher Training 500-hr Certification 908908 Yogaville/Integral Yoga Nina Be MA, MEd, E-RYT- Integrative Yoga Therapy Nancy Glenmore Tatum MindBody Centering Yoga Joy Ravelli 90809 890809 500 Teachers Association Training MindBody Centering Yoga and 9080 908098 IY Therapeutic Yoga and J. Shoemaker PhD Maya Gross and Anat Guru Ram Das Center for Therapy Training Rama Lotus Yoga Centre Training Sheinman Medicine and Humanology Nina Be MA, MEd, E-RYT- 300 Hr. Yoga Therapy YCat Yoga Therapy in Can- James Gopal Watkins NSEW Mindfulness Kundalini Yoga Therapeu- 500 Teacher Training cer and Chronic Illness Education Center and Lakshmi Sutter Associacao Europeia de tics International Teacher and J. Shoemaker PhD Kristine Karpinski YCat Yoga Therapy in Can- 1300 hr. Yoga College with Terapias Orientais Training cer and Chronic Illness Yoga Therapy Emphasis YogSadhna Teacher Training with Yoga Shanti Shanti Kaur Khalsa Minded Institute - Yoga Reconnect with Food® Jnani Chapman RN 300 Hr. Yoga Therapy Mariel Louise Bosin MA, Therapy Emphasis and Navneet Kaur Khalsa Therapy for the Mind Yoga Therapy for Eating and Lura Shopteau MA, LMFT Certification Paulo Alexandre Hayes Mindfulness for Mental Disorder Recovery LPC Dr. Indu Arora MD Hari Om Yoga School Health Yoga Therapy Beverly Price Hari Om Yoga Therapy Training Yoga Bloom Program Heather Mason Yoga Bloom Yoga Therapy Silvia Nicodano Training Cora Wen www.iayt.org YogaTherapyToday | Spring 2013 43 2012 IAYT Donors, Patron Members, and Supporting Members Thank You!

Donors Sarasvati Buhrman Terri Kading-Wheeler Pamela Pence $5,000 and up Kathryn Buntin Leslie Kaminoff Mihaiela Pentiuc Ena Burrud Libby Kara Julie Pepper DS Foundation Cathy Campbell Shanti Shanti Kaur Khalsa Anita Luna Perkins Healing Pathways Medical Clinic Amanda Cannon-Erikson Linda Kearney Karen Persinger Medical Yoga Institute of Sweden Lynda Carre John Kepner Aria Peterman Diane Cassam Samantha Kinkaid Patrick Preston Donors Martha Catz Frank Kirchner Laura Ramirez $1,000 -$4,999 Patricia Cieluch Ravi Kissoon Jim Reale Clare Collins Paula Kout Dawn Robinson Paritoshi Choksi Catherine Cook-Cottone Holly Kraig Nancy-Anne Rose Balaji Parthasarathy Cathy Corkery Marilyn Kriegel Teri Roseman Siddharth Shar Christopher Courtney Julie Kusiak Marjorie Rosenfield Anne Vicino Shoosh Lettick Crotzer Linda Lang Diana Ross Ida Cullen Andrea Largent Tish Roy Donors Kirti Daryanani Antoinette Layoun Lauren Rubenstein $100-$999 Maureen Davis Joseph Le Page Diane Saccone Kasmin Davis Michael Lee Barbara Sager Navin Doshi Adarsh Deepak Anita Leonard Amy Samson-Burke Sandeep Pandya Carrie Demers Martha Linehan Ellen Schaeffer Shyam Nagrani Anne Desmond Debra Lister Jane Schaeffer Diane Twine Janis Desmond Marcie Loffredo Bonnie Schindler Lonnie DeSorcy Lucy Lomax Pat Schmitt Patron Members Stacy Dockins Ada Lusardi Gary Schroeder Sean Downes Anne Marie Asha Machetto Lillah Schwartz Sergey Agapkin Nathan Downey Mudita Mariette Maclurcan Pamela Sedei-Rodden Martha Moore Benson Michelle Dragut Tina Madison Donna Sellers Daniel Blanchard Carol Dunaway David Maian Pauolo Sergio Vicentin Lindsey Clennell Laurie Edwards Christine Marcella “Betsy” Grace Shandalov Jennifer Closshey Per Erez Amy Massat Stephanie Sirico Paul and Linda Copeland Ellen Fein Virginia Massey Swami Sitaramananda Anne Davies-Vicino E. B. Ferdig Ann Maxwell Julie Smallwood Maryann DiEdwardo Debra Figiel Michelle Mazur Sharon Smith-Carter Janet Pearce Foster Dawndy Flores Helen McCarthy Rolf Sovik Matra Majmundar Amy Fowlkes Karen McDaniels Carl Speizer Surendra Mehta Shari Friedrichsen Judith McDermid Mary Steinberg Richard Miller Amy Gage Bob McKinney Kirsten Stevens Wing Jenny Otto, E-RYT500 Elizabeth Galles Molly McManus Jim Stockton Catherine Stallworth Maria Garre Catherine McMillan Alice Strauss Laura Starling Silber Jai Garuda Lynda Meeder Timothy Suh L Sukhatankar Janice Gates Kathleen Messina Deepti Suri Patricia Tarzian Mary Jane Gazda Allie Middleton Aliza Sutker Shyam Nagrani Heather Geis Dr. Dacia Milescu Amy Swan Hadsell Diane Twine Dodie Georgiades M. Kathleen Miller Elisa Sweigart Merilee Giddings Fred Miller Julie Tamarkin Supporting Members Kalimaya (Donna) Goffin-Girasek Michael Milversted Susan Taylor Louise Goldberg Nancy Mohler Anna Tecson Pamela Adams Rich Goldstein Lee Elizabeth Monozon Rita Trieger Tucker Adams Leila Goodwin Diana Munger Barbara Tudhope Nezihe Alibaba Ted Grand Edward Scott Murphy Ann Vermeer Everitt Allen Carla Marie Greco Susan Nelson Janet Vignola Moira Anderson Mary Guerenabarrena Melissa Nier Janna Walsh Peter Arcese Babu Rao Gunthati Jessica Noggle Michelle Walsh Roger Ash Wheeler Dale Hails Suzanne Nuss Amy Weintraub LaGenia Bailey Dawn Hall Teri O’Connor Cora Wen Nina Be Monica Hanson Kandice O’Malley Wynn Werner Karen Benenson India Henson Karla Oman Barbara Whelan Mona Bingham Madeleine Hesselink Marianne O’Neil Beth Whitney-Teeple Leslie Bogart Janette Hill Durga Leela (Catherine) O’Neill Leslie Worris Stacie Booker Ginger Hooven Marie Opie Williams Karusia Wroblewski Chase Bossart Lynn Hughes Kathy Ornish Joanne Wu Michael Braverman Dea Jacobson Caroline Owen Rebecah Ziegler Ashley Brennan Mary Anna Jansen Tammy Owens Slauson Mike Zolfo Sherry Brourman Holiday Johnson Diane Pavesic J. Brown Elizabeth Johnstone Larry Payne Evangelin Browne Tara Joseph Marydale Pecora

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