In Combination with Mary Leonard ( PYTA-C also a graduate of cohort K) we will present a 4 week workshop using Yoga as Medicine to our community. It will be limited to 10 participants due to the hands on nature of the workshop.
Week One: Introduction to the biopsychosocial model : integrative assessment with tools that each participant will complete ( including nutritional and tridosha tests). This assessment will be used during the four weeks to make recommendations based on individual's needs. Introduction to yoga couch and breathing
Week Two: FMA assessment will be conducted. Each participant will be assessed and homework given with poses to help improve areas identified on FMA. discuss nutritional assessment tools ( Gut microbiome, inflammation, healthy fats etc)
Week Three: Continued work on breath and postures ( poses) based on FMA. Introduction to essential oils and music therapy ( chimes) during intention and savasana
Week Four: Short asana followed by introduction to ayurveda, including review of assessments of tridosha test . Take home tools to continue their journey of self discovery and wellness

Our graduate workshop was well attended with two participants that dropped due to a change in their schedule. Evaluations were positive and everyone had positive comments about what they learned about themselves and the take aways from the workshop. Most of the participants have continued with either one on one sessions or group yoga therapy sessions.
What we learned is that each person comes to class with their own issues and needs, Yoga therapy is certainly the right place for each but it was a little difficult in a short 4 week session to help meet most of the needs.
What worked was our emails to participants before class, after the classes and at the end of the workshop. Emails included handouts and short videos as discussed in the work shop.
Teaching participants about yoga props, including the yoga couch, was helpful. Our format of the four week sessions was adequate although I feel that 6 weeks may have been a better amount. Participants were able to work thru the assessment and be given modifications but an addition 1-2 weeks would have given more time to gauge improvement. Each participant was given feed back at the end of the 4 weeks with poses and some nutritional guidance if assessment was turned in.
I think a retreat format may be more appropriate for small groups. That would allow participants to live the experience ( almost like we did for the modules) nutrition, mediation, breath work, asanas.
I learned that each person comes to us with different issues ( good and bad) and that listening, observing and validating are very important tools to use with each person. Only then can the work begin to help that person grow. Ginger has helped me gain much more insight into working with clients to maximize their potential and help them to a healthier self. After finishing the PYTI program, I feel that I have deepened my medical practice and have more to offer my clients in one on one medical therapeutic yoga sessions. I enjoy offering a holistic approach to clients wellbeing and having completed this program I bring more to each session with my client.