In this course Dr. Timothy McCall will provide an overview of the emerging field of yoga therapy: the use of yoga and its vast toolbox to help treat virtually any health condition — physical or psychological. Yoga therapy has grown enormously in the last several years, there are ever-increasing numbers of scientific studies examining its effectiveness, and it is increasingly being incorporated into modern medical care. Yet there continues to be major misconceptions about how yoga therapy works and how to best apply yogic principles in therapeutic settings.
Crucial to yoga therapy is the idea of tailoring the approach not just to the medical diagnosis, but to each student’s unique constellation of physical, emotional, spiritual and environmental factors. Timothy will outline the method he uses to conduct in-depth evaluations and to develop personalized therapeutic approaches based on an evaluation of five categories, using the acronym SNAPS: Structural, Nervous System and Breath, Ayurveda, Psychology and Spirituality. Yoga As Medicine uses the full palette of yogic tools including asana, pranayama, meditation and philosophy as well as dietary and lifestyle advice.
What You Will Learn
- Why yoga therapy routines are not “one size fits all,” but should be personalized to each individual’s unique needs, aptitudes and preferences —and usually need to be modified over time.
- Why the addition of other yoga tools besides asana (in students who are open to it) — from mudras to chanting to Yoga Nidra — can ramp up the effectiveness.
- When general (and even gentle) yoga classes may be contraindicated for people with some health conditions.
- Why books and articles that recommend things like “The 12 Poses for [fill in the blank health condition]” are of limited value.
- How even a basic understanding of yoga’s “sister science” of Ayurvedic medicine can allow you to better understand yourself, and your students, and better plan yoga routines.
- How the time of day, climate, season and a person’s stage of life can influence what and how to practice safely and effectively.
- The yogic technology for effecting change, even with stubborn old habits.
- Why short yoga practices can be more effective than longer ones therapeutically.
- Tips for planning an appropriate yoga therapy practice for each student.
- The importance — and limitations — of yoga therapy research.
- How to incorporate yoga into medical care, both alternative and conventional
- Updates on options for studying yoga therapy, getting certified, etc.
This Course Also Includes:
- Yoga Video: Enjoy a yoga practice that Timothy will create specifically for this course.
- Recordings of All Webinar Sessions: It’s generally acknowledged that many people only retain 10-20 percent of what they learn in a workshop. You will get access to the recordings of both webinar sessions (both MP3 – downloadable and MP4 – streaming online), enabling you to go back and listen to the workshop as many times as you like.
- Transcripts of Both Sessions: Ever wanted to refer to a certain part of a course? Even the best note takers miss a point every so often. With the transcripts of the sessions, you can go back and refer to particularly important passages or clarify sections you were in doubt about.
This course qualifies for 3 CEs with Yoga Alliance.
