Yoga Therapy
Yoga Therapy is a client-empowering process utilizing the traditional principles and practices of yoga to assist people to progress towards health and well-being.
Yoga Therapy assesses clients from a holistic perspective-physically, energetically, mentally & emotionally, intellectually and spiritually, rather than just looking at symptoms, and the client is responsible for their healing process. It is done in an individualized, one-to-one setting with a holistic approach, often utilizing many tools of yoga. The client-centered process respects the age, occupation, ability, mood, needs, and concerns of the individual. It is an evolving process, and is not used as merely a quick-fix solution. It is adopted as a personal and spiritual development path. Yoga Therapy aims to meet the client where they are at, and can help individuals who are active or those who may be immobile or struggling with significant health issues. Yoga Therapy is available to all ages, body types, flexibilities, and experience. You don’t have to know anything about yoga to begin working with a yoga therapist. The majority of people coming to yoga therapy are often coming to seek to alleviate their physical, mental, or emotional imbalances.
The steps involved in the process of yoga therapy are:
A Complete and Comprehensive Intake
During the 90 minute initial session, we will go over your detailed health history, current treatments and medications, current physical, mental and emotional condition, habits and lifestyle routines, energy levels, major stressors, work life balance, trauma, what brings you joy, and clarify your health and wellness goals in order to treat all aspects of your needs.
Assessment
Depending on your goals, symptoms and needs, I may assess posture and postural habits, how you breathe, how you move and your current mood and mental health state.
Yoga Therapy Practice
With the therapeutic goal of healing and the selection and utilization of tools to bring about the desired goal, each practice is tailored to suit your specific needs, capabilities, goals, and life circumstances. We will co-create a personalized home practice for you that may include: awareness practices, breath work, movement, meditation, relaxation, guided visualization, cleansing practices, and personal ritual and prayer.
Your Personalized Home Treatment Plan & Follow Up Sessions
Here’s where we give you your plan that has been tailored to your needs and goals to take home with you. You will be given a printed copy of your yoga therapy plan, and there will be follow up emails for each session with instructions, handouts, meditations and more. During follow up sessions, we will assess progress, how the plan is going and any modifications you’d like to make based on how you are feeling. Throughout this process, you are strongly encouraged to check in with me with any questions, concerns or personal feedback.
To achieve healing and optimize well-being, we take into consideration: a healthy life-nourishing diet, a healthy and natural environment, a holistic lifestyle, personal and social behavioral ethics, bodywork, breath work, and the cultivation of a healthy thought process.
“Katie Hawks in an incredibly gifted healer who has helped me process both emotional and physical pain through massage and Yoga Therapy. Her creative gift to us, Sangha Center for Wellness, is a sacred oasis that the Valpo community is lucky to have! The environment is clean, calm, and deeply restorative. I recommend this sanctuary of wellness to all who feel called to heal. Self-care is an investment worth making.”
— Heather B.