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Testimonials & Endorsements

Dr. Sylvie Le, PT, DPT, PYT

Dr. Sylvie Le, PT, DPT, PYT

As a professional…

The benefits of Medical Therapeutic Yoga have stretched beyond both the clinical setting and mat for my patients. Patients who may have struggled finding relief with traditional PT, battle the psychological and emotional stress of anxiety, depression, and impatience in dealing with injury and functional limitations, or find it challenging to remain motivated to move and take care of their bodies, have found a safe and healthy avenue to care for themselves with a yoga practice. 

Ginger has helped to guide me in bridging the gap between traditional eastern and western medicine practices while using the latest research to treat people suffering from chronic disease and pain, and this has revolutionized the way I treat and care for patients. There is a larger emphasis on learning how to understand the role that our nervous system has on healing, and provides strategies and skills to address each patient as a whole. 

Patients are responding well and remain motivated to stay curious and dedicated to the lifelong process of taking care of their body, mind, and spirit using Medical Therapeutic Yoga.

Dr. Sylvie Le, PT, DPT, PYT-c
Read more about the PT Dr. Le provides through MTY: https://www.soptri.com/your-pain/yoga-for-chronic-pain/

As a patient…

Studying Medical Therapeutic Yoga under Ginger has transformed both my personal and professional life as a yoga student and therapist. The explanation of philosophy and guidance on how to bridge western and eastern medicine practices using the latest research has been revolutionary. I am now teaching weekly Medical Therapeutic Yoga classes twice per week to current and former patients from my Physical Therapy practice, and it has been rewarding to watch individuals honor and appreciate the process of healing and recovering from acute, chronic, and traumatic injuries. Some of the most common things I hear from students who attend classes regularly are improved self-awareness, sense of patience, an easier ability to make more conscious decisions and choices to take care of themselves, better stress management strategies, and feeling stronger both physically and mentally through regular movement and breathing. Many patients have even been in and out of doctors since attending, and report lower blood sugar levels, decreased blood pressure with the ability to wean off of their medications, and weight loss. The practice of Medical Therapeutic Yoga has given patient’s a secure sense of stability in consistently looking after the health of their body, mind, and spirit in a safe, supportive, and inspiring way. The benefits of this are immeasurable, but in short, have been life changing.  I am thankful for the practice of Medical Therapeutic Yoga in helping to guide clinical decision making, while also creating a health and wellness community that serves to foster growth, connection, and healing. 

Dr. Sylvie Le, PT, DPT, PYT-c
Christine Koth – Holistic Physical Therapist, Bestselling Author

Christine Koth – Holistic Physical Therapist, Bestselling Author

Ginger really sets a precedent for what a holistic practitioner should be. Her command of the body on multiple levels and commitment to her clients gives her the ability to quickly zero in on the issue and precisely remedy the cause of a variety of issues. She also has a unique set of skills and experience that makes her an absolute expert in the hip region. As a seasoned physical therapist myself, who also specializes in the hip region, Ginger is one of a handful of colleagues that I truly look up to and go to for help. To put icing on the cake, her demeanor is so pleasant and she is a joy to be around!

Christine Koth – Holistic Physical Therapist, Bestselling Author – Tight Hip, Twisted Core – The Key to Unresolved Pain, Inventor of the Hip Hook
Roselee Wondra, PT, PYT – Testimonial from provider and patient about Ginger’s techniques

Roselee Wondra, PT, PYT – Testimonial from provider and patient about Ginger’s techniques

A patient was referred with a diagnosis of “neck strain.”  On the first visit, patient quietly shared the mechanism of her injury which was a physical and sexual assault by her husband whom she continued to live with.  There was minimal eye contact and many guarded movements and posturing. Prior to her injury, she worked as an artist but had been unable to pursue this due the dominant UE weakness, neural and postural pain.  One of the goals we quickly established was the ability to progress back to painting for her creative and healing expression. It was a humbling and exciting privilege to guide her through the multifaceted healing process using all the PYTI precepts of care I learned from Ginger. We are both excited to share she has returned to her painting and sketching.  She has been a great spokesperson for PYTI to all her previously skeptical physical health care providers; giving them my business cards and program information.  We were both transformed in this working relationship: she received the healing nurturing care necessary for health, I received inspiration and renewed professional excitement which is beneficial to MY health!

Roselee Wondra, PT, PYT

Testimonial from the patient: 

I found my treatment experience immensely helpful and life changing. Prior to receiving yoga therapy I was in Chicago receiving basic, more mainstream therapy for 7 months with still painful muscle problems. That physical therapist tried to give me more and more muscle building exercises but my tightness and pain along with the numbness remained.  However yoga therapy did what mainstream therapy could not do: solve my problems with less time and frequency. Roselee had the temperament and enlightenment that my prior physical therapist did not have. Medical Therapeutic Yoga is more effective! 

Learning about the five components of the medical therapeutic yoga program and how you need all of them to thrive in order to be the best you can be was so helpful. The breathing techniques, the application of the Physical care, Energetic, psycho-emotional-social care, Intellectual and Spiritual care deeply affected me in a life changing experience. This yoga approach revealed my mental status; which affected the tightness in my muscles.  It has given me hope. ( Roselee is a hero for helping the hopeless people.) 

I am a survivor of domestic assault. I would absolutely recommend this yoga approach to other victims like myself which require physical therapy. I personally feel that people who have been through traumatic injuries, specifically abused victims such as myself, can only benefit from being placed in medical therapeutic yoga vs mediocre therapy. 

The PYTI program is really special and revolutionary. You should get the word out on how brilliant and remarkable it is!  This should be mainstream care for doctors and mental health specialists. PYTI is a revolution!!

Roselee Wondra, PT, PYT – Testimonial from provider and patient about Ginger’s techniques

Catherine Apicella PT, PYT-C

Since returning from Yoga as Lifestyle Medicine II I have been trying to get my hands on as many bodies as possible, work the FMA (functional movement assessment), integrate this in with my way of being, essentially.  This client was the mother of my neighbor, and at the end of it she says, with tears in her eyes, “I really think this is going to help.”

I cannot adequately express how changed I am as a result of this program.  I left M8 with the mantra “why not me?”  Each module has facilitated a shift in me that was so fundamental, so necessary.  I unquestionably needed to get out of my own way before I could help anybody else.  It is still a process, but I have realized that the best way to progress is just that–to keep moving forward.

So thank you, Ginger.  Thank you for giving so tirelessly of yourself to better the lives of so many people.  I am forever changed, and forever grateful.

Catherine Apicella PT, PYT-C 


Business Spotlight on Professional Yoga Therapist Jessica Hartmann

Business Spotlight on Professional Yoga Therapist Jessica Hartmann

An Interview with Jessica Hartmann, PT on Medical Therapeutic Yoga in Physical Therapy Practice

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1. Share with us a brief overview of your business, Integrative Rehab and Wellness, Inc.

Integrative Rehab and Wellness, Inc. opened in 2014 and provides manual physical therapy, medical yoga therapy, and educational services to those struggling with current health issues and those seeking to improve their wellness.

Why did you decide to start Integrative Rehab and Wellness, Inc.? How did you find your niche?

I created Integrative Rehab and Wellness to combine my passions of manual physical therapy, yoga therapy, and education.  I wanted to create a space where I could help people with injury prevention, wellness, and any current health struggles they may be facing.

Did you find that client needs weren’t being met in other therapy settings? How is the work you are doing a unique offering in your community?

I definitely see a lot of folks who have been frustrated with “traditional” physical therapy (PT) care. I think my patients are happy to be in a place where they feel like their concerns are acknowledged and discussed. Utilizing the biopsychosocial (BPS) model makes me unique as well as the combination of manual therapy and medical therapeutic yoga (MTY).

2. What are some of the biggest hurdles you’ve faced in getting your business up and running and how have you tackled them? What has come without as much effort as you anticipated?

As trivial as it seems, finding the ideal physical space was one of my biggest challenges.  I felt very strongly about creating a therapeutic landscape.  Patience was definitely key in this situation.  Also, I’m not really comfortable marketing myself and putting myself out there.  I still continue to struggle with this one.  I thought I would have to work harder to build a caseload, but I was busy within just a few months!

What would help you with your struggle in marketing your business? What wisdom would you offer another Professional Yoga Therapist (PYT) looking to start his or her own practice?

I feel like so much marketing is done on social media these days – and I am not a social media person! My goal in the next few months is to become more comfortable with social media and be active with it on a professional basis. I would defintiely say – “GO FOR IT!” to another PT who wants to start their own practice! It’s a labor of love, but worth every second!

3. The fee structure of your practice is different than traditional PT clinics which are usually network providers for insurance. Is this a barrier to entry for some of your clients? If so, how do they navigate it?

For most people, it is not an issue. Co-pays are so high and the traditional PT model encourages patients to be seen 2-3 times a week.  I see folks once a week or less, so it usually balances out.  I do understand that some people really want to use their insurance though! There’s a great network of “traditional PTs” that I refer to in those cases.  It’s really about building a healthy community and supporting each other!

So from a clinical standpoint, what is it about your approach that enables you to see clients only once a week?

In my opinion, a cash based practice draws a more motivated client base. I expect my folks to work through their home practice when they are not seeing me. I work with them to determine the length of time and days per week they can devote to their plan, and then develop one accordingly. A combination of the approach I take with my patients along with the fact that they are learning new habits and ways of exercising allows me to see them less frequently than the traditional PT schedule. Effective treatment that gets to the root of issues, from a biopsychosocial (BPS) standpoint, makes a huge difference; this process also empowers the client. I encourage patients to utilize me for support, not to depend on me.

4. According to your website, you offer a fair amount of education outreach opportunities- to the public, to yoga teachers, to students in health fields, and to medical professionals. What messages are you trying to share?

That yoga is for everyBODY – when it is done safely!! Also, there is SO much more than asana!

Can you elaborate on that?

I think a lot of people assume that yoga means power vinyasa. Mindful movement, breathwork, and even stillness are such important aspects that most people are not familiar with. I encourage folks to take the time for self reflection and some quiet time throughout their day to support the healing and wellness process.

What are your clients’ or students’ biggest “ah-ha” moments?

I would say the biggest aha moments definitely come from breathwork! When we work through a breathing practice and they sit up, the look on their face is priceless! A lot of folks don’t realize how powerful the breath is to create physical and emotional balance.

jessica-hartmann5. How has your education at PYTI shaped your career path and how do you envision the future of Medical Therapeutic Yoga?

The education in the PYTI program is amazing – that goes without saying!  I am so incredibly grateful for the like-minded professionals that I have met who are determined to spread compassionate healthcare across the globe!

What have been the most valuable principles or tools you’ve taken from PYTI?

I think using the BPS model in practice has made the biggest difference. We must recognize that the true path to wellness is so much greater than simply correcting musculoskeletal imbalances.  Our emotions, our relationships, our beliefs, and the environment we create for ourselves play key roles in our health.  When all of the pieces come together, we are able to find the balance of a healthy body, mind, and spirit.  If any of the pieces of the puzzle are missing, we are left with that lingering sensation that something still isn’t quite right.

How does the healthcare landscape need to evolve to incorporate more opportunities for MTY? 

I think that the more we move away from guidelines like “30 minutes of PT 2-3 times a week for 4 weeks” will allow us to actually treat patients according to their needs and enable us to better incorporate MTY.  I also think that the more health care providers (HCPs) encourage patients to seek out wellness services, the more we can utilize MTY.  

How would you like to reach patients that could benefit from MTY but don’t even know it exists? 

I think that building bridges with other HCPs and spreading the word through our individual communities is the best way to promote MTY from the ground up!

6. What are some of your dreams for the future?

Wow! Big question!  There is so much I want to do!  I love patient care and want to keep that up forever!  A goal I have is to teach more in the University setting and hopefully with PYTI!  I want to combine all of that with travel.  I would love to create more online learning opportunities so MTY is available to everyone everywhere.

What needs and opportunities do you see in the University setting? Online opportunities sound exciting! What would that look like in practice since MTY is so hands on?

Many of the University students who I come in contact with don’t really have a concept of what “wellness” is. I think it is important for them to realize that it’s not just eating healthy or going to the gym. The feedback I hear most often from my students is how stressed they are all the time. They would all benefit from MTY! I’m not quite sure what MTY looks like online yet – but I’ve been brainstorming!

About Jessica Hartmann, PT, PYT, CIDN, ERYT

jess2Jessica is a licensed physical therapist who specializes in manual physical therapy and medical yoga therapy. She has combined passions of physical therapy and yoga with the creation of Integrative Rehab and Wellness, in order to facilitate a healing environment that supports overall health and well-being.  Jessica completed her physical therapy degree at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA and her medical therapeutic yoga certification through the Professional Yoga Therapy Institute.  Jessica enjoys incorporating PT and medical therapeutic yoga to treat patients with a variety of conditions including back and neck pain, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, sciatica, musculoskeletal issues (shoulders, hips, knees, etc), chronic pain, fibromyalgia, migraines/headaches, anxiety, arthritis, and TMJ.  In her spare time, Jessica enjoys travel, yoga, reading, hiking, running, playing at the beach, stand up paddle boarding, and spending time with her husband, family, and friends.
Professional Yoga Therapy Institute at A.T. Still University

Professional Yoga Therapy Institute at A.T. Still University

A.T. Still UniversityA couple weeks ago, Ginger taught Module 8 at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. We are so excited to bring the PYTI curriculum out west! She and her students had a great time learning and growing together.

PYTI has compiled some pictures from the week on Ginger’s blog. A picture is worth a thousand words! Check out the photo story here.

Ginger will be continuing the PYTI course with Module 14 at A.T. Still University this fall. Click here to learn more and to register for the course. 

A big shout-out and thank you goes to A.T. Still for hosting and to Cohort K for being the inaugural class!

Left: PYT graduate, adjunct faculty, and TA, Shelly Prosko PT, PYT, CPI Middle: PYTS Founder and Executive Director, Ginger Garner PT, MPT, ATC, PYT, CPI Right: PYT graduate and TA, Christine Carr, PT, PYT, CPI

Left: PYT graduate, adjunct faculty, and TA, Shelly Prosko PT, PYT, CPI Middle: PYTI Founder and Executive Director, Ginger Garner PT, MPT, ATC, PYT, CPI Right: PYT graduate and TA, Christine Carr, PT, PYT, CPI

Roselee Wondra, PT, PYT – Testimonial from provider and patient about Ginger’s techniques

Dr. Tawna Wilkinson, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS

Ginger,

Being in your presence the past several days (at Module 8/Yoga as Medicine I) has provided such a light for me for many reasons. I cannot thank you enough for who you are as an individual and clinician, what you provide to others, and your tremendous vision to move forward. I embraced every moment and will continue to do so!

Roselee Wondra, PT, PYT – Testimonial from provider and patient about Ginger’s techniques

Ruth Hulette, DOM, PYT-C

Thank you for your thoughtful and encouraging feedback. I found myself feeling quite sad when I walked away today and realized I only have one onsite module left. These weeks with you and the other wonderful women in attendance have been so precious to me. Thank you for generously sharing your knowledge and creativity with those of us who are eager to learn from you. You’re an inspiration to me not only in my practice, but in my life.

Roselee Wondra, PT, PYT – Testimonial from provider and patient about Ginger’s techniques

Wendy, PT, PYT-C

Thank you for revolutionizing healthcare — I am so honored and proud to be a part of this pioneering movement!

Raleigh, North Carolina

Roselee Wondra, PT, PYT – Testimonial from provider and patient about Ginger’s techniques

Barb Rabin, PT, ATC, PYT

That pink house on the beach was a safe haven where I met all these awesome caring friends and most of all you Ginger Garner . I was given space to just be and start taking care of myself.

Barb
Ohio

(Barb on her experience taking PYTI’s Onsite Modules.)

Roselee Wondra, PT, PYT – Testimonial from provider and patient about Ginger’s techniques

Brian C. Kittelson, PT, Minnesota

My wife and I both took your yoga PYT course in the 90s in Minneapolis Minnesota.  I just wanted to let you know that I have been in love with yoga ever since then and continue to practice it several times a week period I also incorporate parts of it in my practice as a physical therapist.  I feel better than ever and attribute much of it to my yoga practice.  I recommend yoga to my patients.  I practice primarily with the Yoga Studio app and the Do Yoga With Me web site. It is great to see that you continue to do fantastic work as a PT and Professional Yoga Therapist.

Shannon Miller, Swansboro, NC

Shannon Miller, Swansboro, NC

I can’t thank you enough for ALL you have done for me. Your generosity is overwhelming. Dr. Mather is an excellent physician, and I am confident that his opinion (and yours!) is good. I have agreed to do surgery to repair my labrum and remove a bone spur on my left hip. X-rays show an identical spur on my right hip; I know that if I spend much longer limping around and overcompensating with my right hip that I may end up detaching my labrum on that side as well. I feel peace about the decision. I’m ready to get back to swimming laps and paddle-boarding! My surgery is April 3rd at Duke Raleigh, the same hospital where I had my shoulder surgery. Because I had such an excellent experience there, I consider it a blessing to go to Duke Raleigh again.

Thank you, friend, for sharing your experience, time and knowledge to make me whole again!

PS You have actually helped me many other times. You first encouraged me to go gluten free, and I have experienced a better quality of life by that simple change to my diet. You also helped me understand in 2011 that surgery was okay if I had gone through PT and given it 100% without much improvement for arthritis in my AC joint. I’ve always been one to push through the pain, believing that to listen to my body was equivalent to quitting or giving in to my rheumatoid arthritis. You have told me more than once that my stubbornness could be doing more damage (though you said it in much nicer words!).

Thanks for your knowledge and compassion for women’s health!

Shannon

Shannon Miller, Swansboro, NC

Meagan Satinsky PT, PYT-C

Hi Ginger!

After having some time to digest the (Professional Yoga Therapist) training last week at Emerald Isle I wanted to drop you a note to let you know how grateful I am for you. Sometimes it’s hard to remember how far I’ve come in my own journey and this week offered me a needed opportunity for reflection as well as a bonus revitalization for the work I do and the direction I’m headed.

So much of what you’ve shared in your own experiences through personal, professional, pubic and private matters in life rings true for myself and I have no doubt, for others. The opportunity to learn WITH you, a woman, a PT, an artist, a yoga teacher and student, a community builder and public health supporter to name a few, is a welcome addition to my life!

I’ve traveled and studied with a handful of various practitioners of yoga, PT and ayurveda in an effort to further my own personal growth and understanding. Keeping each of those experiences in mind and close at heart, I’m grateful for the work you’ve put into integrating your experiences and visions into this training and making your work so available to those of us who want to study it as it touches on so many aspects of equal importance in our work and our lives.

This week I’ve been integrating PYT I (mostly) into my self practice, group classes and work with PT clients and can tell that it’s given me a really firm foundation and refreshing approach and way of thinking to move forward from and expand with. It feels like a gift so amen to that!!

I’m looking forward to returning to NC for module 14 in May and to discovering and refining even more of my potential as the person I am.

Gratefully,
Meg

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