Yoga Therapy: The Center for Yoga Therapeutics

How we can help...

Yoga is the ancient mind~spirit science and technology of change and the relief of suffering.

Pain, loss and disease motivate us to effectively address both. Yoga therapy is the only health profession that both addresses and offers practical tools to relieve suffering at all levels of the human experience...physical, energetic, emotional, mental and spiritual. In the 21st century you understand that real health must include the entire experience of your life.

This is what we teach and share with you.

The 21st century Yoga therapist must be able to teach and understand yoga from its traditional models. Additionally, the therapist should have additional specialized training in adapting yoga to match your specific health challenges safely and with a depth of understanding that assures a seamless integration with your entire health team.

That is who we are at The Center for Yoga Therapeutics.

We understand your health challenges.

We have training and experience second to none.

We hold your safety and comfort as our highest concern.

The following table is a sample list of some of the conditions we frequently assist in the relief of suffering and support with Yoga therapy.

Chronic Pain	Fibromyalgia	Yoga Injuries	Intro to Safe Yoga
Sports Injuries	End of Life Support	Multiple Sclerosis	Arthritis
Osteoporosis	Poor Posture	Parkinson's	Anxiety/Depression
Life Transitions	Pelvic Pain	Grief	PTSD
Carpal Tunnel	Sleep Issues	Joint Replacement	High Blood Pressure

Don't see your challenges listed? Have more than one of them? We have become known as the place where physicians turn to for support of their patients with the most complex and chronic conditions...and for themselves in many cases!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can Yoga therapy help me?

Is Yoga therapy safe?

Can I participate if I have pain, stiffness or limited mobility?

Will it hurt?

What if I am not comfortable exercising with others?

How can I afford Yoga therapy?

What does it cost?

We invite your emails and calls, 480-699-4867, to address your specific needs for Yoga therapy resources.

About Us

The Center

Services

How we can help you

Resources

Contact

How can Yoga therapy help me?

Modern medicine is rapidly discovering the interrelatedness of all health. Technology allows us to see how what we think, believe, eat,how we work and what we focus on affects our health. Further, recent world events have brought to light how our food supply, toys and environment are influential to our well-being. In effect: all of life really is related and connected...which is the science of Yoga: discovering and remembering the connectedness of reality. Literally translated yoga means "union...the remembering that all is united".

Yoga therapy is based on helping you discover all the ways your current health and life challenges are related...and what you can then do to relieve your suffering and adapt to the inevitable changes of Life. Using very concrete, basic tools your therapist will work with you to explore how your current life circumstances are generating pain and suffering. Together you both will create a strategy to gently but effectively optimize your health and well-being. No area will be left unexamined if you are willing to explore and never will you be directed or pressured into any area of your life you wish to keep private. Each area of your life does influence your health...so how does Yoga therapy work?

In the West we tend to think of pain and illness/loss of mobility as something to be avoided or at best tolerated. Yoga on the other hand understands that they are important calls for change in our lives and are best welcomed as "teachers" to aide us in our individual and collective developement. That's a big change in perspective for most people! And it is critical to the relief of your suffering.

We now know that how you filter your experiences in life literally and immediately affects your biochemistry, mood and mobility. The advances in PET scans and functional MRI's allow us to watch it unfold right before our eyes. But how do we change those filters if we determine they are producing an adverse effect on our health (i.e., raising our blood pressure/blood sugar; increasing muscle spasm/pain/spasticity; generating anxiety or suppressing seratonin production to maintain our mood, etc.)? This is where modern medicine falls short as we our technology is largely directed at trying to fix what has broken. Each profession has developed in it's own "hallway" of expertise (mental health, physical health, spirituality, etc.) only to discover now that they need to be at least conversant down every "hallway" not just their own.

Yoga therapy is unique. It has the technologies for addressing the necessary changes in those filters we have to understand our life experiences. For thousands of years techniques and methods have been evolving. Now, early in the 21st century we are seeing the wisdom behind that science and how it fits with our own discoveries today. Here at the Center for Yoga Therapeutics we are passionate about not just studying the old traditions, but translating them into our cultural understanding so you can be comfortable and benefit immediately without having to sort through foreign terminology or unfamiliar practices that have no relevance to your daily life. We've done the work of translating the science into tools you can use today and without any conflict or compromise of your personal beliefs and world views.

In Yoga therapy, what matters and gives purpose to our lives (our spirituality), generates our thinking and our emotions (our mind) which produces our biochemistry and movements/actions (our body). Call now to learn how we can join you in these exciting discoveries ...480-688-4867.

Is Yoga therapy safe?

It should be...and it is at the Center. Unfortunately that isn't always the case. The number of Yoga-related injuries is on the rise in the U.S. Here at the Center our level of training is bolstered by our dual training in traditional health sciences. Most importantly we know our limits and will always respect those limits.

How do you know if the Yoga therapy you are involved with is safe?

First see "Will it hurt?" below. When you start Yoga therapy there are some basic things to watch for: 1.) Does your therapist have extensive training beyond a basic yoga teacher training? 2.) Does your therapist have experience working with your condition(s)? 3.) Are you asked to complete and then review with your therapist an extensive health history before starting? 4.) Does your therapist have references available for you to speak to about their experience? 5.) Is your therapist doing their practice or soley devoted to attending to you and the other students? 6.) Can you ask questions during class? 7.) Do physicians and other healthcare providers refer to your therapist? 8.) Does the therapist protect your privacy and health information, and have policies to insure it? 9.) Does your therapist suggest you work through the pain or discomfort? 10.) Do you have the same therapist each visit for continuity of care?

In summary, if it doesn't feel "right"...listen! E-mail us your questions if you aren't sure at safety@yogatherapy.com

Can I participate if I have pain, stiffness or limited mobility?

Absolutely! The only requirements for participation in Yoga therapy are that you are breathing and it is your intention to participate in change. Beyond that, it doesn't matter how sore, stiff, clumsy, confused or inexperienced you are at Yoga. We work with people who are high-level athletes, near death and everything in between. Any Yoga exercise at the Center is of a simple form...no headstands or placing your foot behind your head here. You return home with basic exercises that are specific to your condition...not the "average" of a room full of 20-30 people. If you are in a group class, it will be small enough that your therapist will be able to adapt the various movements to your ability without embarrassment. So bring your cane, wheelchair, walker or rollerblades...Yoga therapy at the Center has something for you!

Will it hurt?

The first and highest standard of all Yoga according to the Yoga Sutras is non-violence (ahimsa in Sanskrit). If what you did in the name of Yoga therapy leaves you in more pain, agitated, upset or fearful....it wasn't Yoga. Unfortunately in our culture the emphasis has been taken away from the mind~spirit aspect of Yoga and been replaced with a very athletic, superficial western exercise model. Not here at the Center. We are expert at addressing Yoga-related injuries and Matt was the featured presenter on Yoga Safety at the 2007 Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research. Our highest priority is to assure your comfort and safety. Do understand though that change always includes a form of "discomfort" as we shift the way we understand and act in our world....but that discomfort is not harmful or damaging by way of increasing your related symptoms or immobility...only that uncomfortable feeling as we surrender to a new understanding. Again, Matt's doctorate is in the science of change and Jennifer's training in social work is about empowering individuals to effectively deal with change....you truly are in the safe hands of experts.

What if I am not comfortable exercising with others?

You have the option of limiting your services to private instruction only in a private room. Do keep in mind science has demonstrated that learning in a group environment has positive health effects (Click here to read an article on the topic that interviews Matt on the subject). Our group instruction is small, usually 5-7 people just like you too busy learning about themselves to pay attention to how you move, look or follow directions! For an additional fee we can also make visits to your home/office if you are limited in mobility or prefer the privacy of your home or office.

How can I afford Yoga therapy?

Most Yoga therapy is a cash service. There are however exceptions, to include those conditions often seen for physical therapy where in certain instances you can submit your codes if you have out-of-network coverage. If you have a medical condition diagnosed by a physician, who also recommends Yoga as one means of treatment, you may be able to pay for services from your health savings account, health reimbursement arrangement, or flexible spending account. Please write or call for info.

Another way to ask the question is, "Can I afford to be in the state of health I am in now and not change my behaviors?" Often with chronic conditions there are multiple behaviors you can adopt to save additional expenses such as more medication, office visits and therapies. Many of our students realize significant savings after they have invested in their health and adopted Yoga therapy practices as a part of their lifestyle. Your Yoga therapist will be develop a simple program you can adopt and do on your own at no cost beyond initial instruction.

What does it cost?

Prices vary by therapist and depends on whether you come in for private or group classes. Please write or call for info.

About Us

The Center

Services

How we can help you

Resources

Contact

Updated 12/16/07