Yoga therapy is a holistic and person-centred system based on traditional wisdom and therapeutic techniques.

By focusing on your unique needs, we work together to address your health and well-being on all levels: physical, mental, emotional, sensory, or spiritual. You might consider yoga therapy to:

• Address stress and anxiety
• Manage pain, tension and physical conditions
• Improve digestion, resilience and energy levels
• Promote resilience, mental clarity and self-awareness

Yoga therapy applies the teachings and practices of yoga including asana (postures), pranayama (breathwork), meditation, guided relaxation and philosophy. It is not a talking therapy and is more based on movement, the body and breath.

We all develop habits and patterns - some are physical, in the way we move and breathe, some are subtle, influencing how energy moves inside and around us, and others may be mental or emotional, affecting how we feel and think. Often these patterns are interrelated. Through yoga therapy we can become more aware, of and unwind, those less helpful patterns, so that we understand ourselves better and also how we live in relation to the world around us.

How it works

Yoga therapy is a process. We meet one-to-one, on a weekly or fortnightly basis where possible. A minimum of five sessions is recommended to get the most from our work together. You will receive recommendations and practices to follow at home.

I may ask you to complete a questionnaire before our first session.

The first session will last up to an hour and a half, including a consultation and discussion of your questionnaire. Subsequent sessions last an hour.

Please wear comfortable clothes you can move easily in. There is no need to wear gym clothes. You will be barefoot during the session if that’s possible for you.

I will give you practices and guidance to follow at home between sessions. These will be designed with consideration of your lifestyle and daily routine.

I am happy to have an initial 20-minute chat free of charge to help you decide whether working with me is right for you.

Location & practicalities

Sessions can take place at Inverleith St Serf's Church Centre, Clark Road, EH5

or

Belgrave Business Centre, 45 Frederick Street, Edinburgh EH2 1EP.

You do not need to bring a yoga mat unless you prefer to use your own. There are toilets and a place to get changed.

Cost

£55 for a single session

£45 per session for a block booking of four or five sessions

Discounted rate available for people out of work and on health or income benefits or in financial difficulty.

Testimonial

“I came to yoga therapy from a position of total ignorance (and a little scepticism) towards the end of cancer treatment and the beginning of domestic upheaval. All against the backdrop of a full-time job. Yvonne taught me to stop, to take a breath, to understand that even 5-10 minutes of concentrated focus on my internal feelings and rhythms has a massive payback. Yvonne has taught me simple routines and techniques that I can integrate into my day. These give me moments of calm and control, which were previously absent. I highly recommend Yvonne for her thoughtful, personal and practical approach.”

Firstly, tell your yoga teacher about any health issues or injuries you have currently, or past issues that still affect you.

If you’re menstruating on the day of class, tell your teacher if you feel OK doing so. Some poses aren’t recommended if you have your period, while other poses can be really beneficial if you’re feeling tired, bloated, crampy or achy.

If you’re pregnant speak to the teacher before attending a class. Particularly if you’re a beginner, choose a teacher who has training or experience in prenatal yoga.

Don't come to class on a full stomach - you might feel a bit queasy or get indigestion. If possible, leave a couple of hours after eating a meal.

What to wear

Wear clothes that let you move freely, like leggings, shorts or jogging bottoms and a t-shirt. Avoid very long trousers or joggers that could trip you up.

Bring layers as the studio temperature can be variable. At the end of class we lie on the floor in a resting pose called savasana - it's good to get cosy for that.

If it's comfortable for you then you'll be in bare feet for most of the class. If that's not possible for you, we can work around it.

What to bring

Check with the teacher or studio. Some places will provide mats and all the equipment you'll need. If you prefer to use your own mat, that should be fine too.

What to expect during the class

Each teacher will have their own style and preferred way to run a class. In my classes we start with a short period sitting quietly or lying down to begin the transition from the bustle of everyday life to a quieter, more inward-looking state of being.

Each class will have a theme or be based around learning how to work with our bodies in a certain way. Usually there will be a combination of asanas - physical postures - and breathwork. Towards the end of the class, we move into a reclining pose called savasana, which means corpse pose. It’s one of the most soothing and relaxing poses. Don’t worry if lying flat isn’t comfortable or possible for you - as with other yoga poses, there are ways to adapt savasana to suit your own physical condition.

What if I fall asleep in savasana/corpse pose?

Although drifting off to sleep isn't the aim, it’s quite common at the end of class. You may be surprised by how deeply you're able to relax. Ideally in savasana our mind remains alert and calm, while our body is completely at rest. However if you do fall sleep, you probably needed it! Many of us have lost the art of resting so enjoy a brief, delicious snooze if it happens and consider how you might create some more down-time for yourself.

Will there be physical contact? 

If you’d prefer not receive any physical, touch-based adjustments in class, that's absolutely fine. I'll always ask first. Adjustments can help you practise safely and effectively, however I can give you guidance in other ways, for example verbally.