Baobab yoga therapy

ent assessments, examining the different facets affecting health and lifestyle history to tailor effective and appropriate practices for individual clients’ issues and healing goals. Practices include pain-free physical exercises, mindful movements, breathwork, relaxation techniques, meditation, and compassionate, trauma-informed conversations. Yoga therapy may also include lifestyle counselling, fun and games as part of its holistic approach. How IS YT DIFFERENT TO MAINSTREAM YOGA:

The extensive biomedical and psychological training, longer study duration, multi-faceted approach, emphasis on the therapeutic relationship, and the in-depth knowledge required set Yoga Therapists apart. The specialised training demands several hundred hours and multiple years of training. Yoga teachers are primarily trained to instruct physical practices, often within a specific system like Ashtanga or Iyengar, and typically in group settings. The emphasis is on teaching standardized movements, without necessarily addressing individual needs, especially for those with specific physical or psychological health issues. While beneficial for some, not all yoga practices are universally suitable, and certain poses, breathing techniques, or relaxation methods may be contraindicated for certain health issues and/or individuals. Yoga Therapists are trained to create a whole-person approach based on individual needs. They consider various bodily systems and personal aspects, approaching issues from a biopsychosocial and emotional perspective. Yoga Therapists’ training encompasses knowledge on the body's biomechanics, organ systems, the nervous system, disease symptoms, progression and prognosis, treatment options, and the side-effects of medication. They also obtain an understanding of mental health issues, possess somatic counselling skills, and approach their work with trauma sensitivity. This comprehensive training integrates the mental and physical aspects, viewing health and disease within the context of individual behaviour and surrounding environments. WHY CHOOSE YOGA THERAPY (YT)? Yoga Therapy is gaining global recognition in healthcare systems. Clinical studies and empirical publications are increasingly affirming YT as a complementary and integrative therapeutic intervention. With its growing emphasis on accreditation and certification processes, YT provides an inclusive and accessible opportunity to complement medically-oriented treatments. HOW CAN WE HELP

We can help with conditions as varied as anxiety and addiction, chronic pain and autoimmune disease, cancer recovery, cardiovascular disease, migraines, asthma and muscle imbalances. In brief, we work with:

• Digestive health issues
• Cardiovascular conditions
• Respiratory conditions
• Hormonal issues
• Immune System problems
• Auto-immune diseases
• Musculoskeletal issues
• Herniated discs
• Reproductive / gynaecological issues/conditions
• Postnatal issues
• Nervous system issues
• Cancer patients and people affected by cancer, preparations for cancer treatments
• Family and Ageing
• LGBTQIA+ applicable procedures
• Specific psychological issues
• Degenerative disease
• Pain Management
• Women’s health
• Men’s health
• Grief and bereavement

ONE-ON-ONE YOGA THERAPY SESSIONS

Private yoga therapy sessions can be held at our studio, online or from the comfort of your own home, where we’ll come to you. What to Expect: Process

1. INTAKE: This is designed to elicit accurate and insightful information that is relevant to specific practices you might need. We obtain details in the context of your health history, lifestyle, personality, and preferences.
2. PHYSICAL AND BREATH ASSESSMENTS: we corroborate the details from the intake with both a psychical and respiratory examination.
3. PERSONALISED PLANS: Together with you as the client, we develop and implement personalised and evolving practices and therapeutic plans, suited to your specific needs. Plans are simply guidelines that will be adapted based on your energy levels on the day, mood, schedules, level of pain and time of day.
4. PROGRESS: We educate you as we progress so you may make informed and life-enhancing decisions through empowering practices.
5. ADAPT: we monitor your progress and adapt the approach based on the evolving nature of presenting issues. Why take a private class:

• You have particular health issues which require special attention
• You want to be educated on your presenting issues
• You wish to have a home practice developed specifically for you
• You wish to have a home practice based on scientific evidence
• You prefer to practice in someone else’s presence for motivation and to ensure correct alignment

GROUP YOGA THERAPY SESSIONS FOR COMMON AILMENTS

Group yoga therapy sessions are kept small, with a maximum of 3-4 people. Participants must experience the same/similar issues. Group yoga therapy classes are delivered for:

• Cancer patients and/or people affected by cancer
• Grief and bereavement

Group yoga therapy sessions can be held at our studio, online or from the comfort of your own home, where we’ll come to you. INDIVIDUAL INTAKE: This is designed to elicit accurate and insightful information that is relevant to specific practices you might need. INDIVIDUAL PHYSICAL AND BREATH ASSESSMENTS: we corroborate the details from the intake with both a psychical and respiratory examination.
3. TARGETED PLANS: We develop and implement tailored and evolving practices and therapeutic plans, suited to your presenting issues. Plans are simply guidelines that will be adapted based on the group’s energy levels on the day, general mood, schedules, level of pain and time of day. We try to attend to all participants’ needs as closely as possibly while taking into consideration the rest of the group who share the same/similar issues.
4. ADAPT: we monitor your progress and adapt the approach based on the evolving nature of presenting issues within the group. Why take a private group YT class:

• You have particular health issues which require special attention
• You are keen on trying yoga but not comfortable going to a mainstream yoga class
• You want to be educated on your presenting issues
• You wish to have a home practice tailored to your presenting issues
• You wish to have a home practice based in on scientific evidence
• You wish to practice and share your experience with someone going through the same/similar issues
• You prefer to practice in someone else’s presence for motivation and to ensure correct alignment

MAINSTREAM YOGA CLASS

For those seeking to join a mainstream yoga class, we offer these sessions once weekly, following the Hatha Yoga style. combined with therapeutic yoga knowledge. Groups are generally kept small, with a maximum of 10 people to ensure that each student receives cues adapted as closely as possible to their needs without being lost amidst large crowds. Aside from modifications and variations given in general yoga classes, alignment, structure and individual body types are taken into consideration. We attend to any known injuries students may have, to ensure each individual feels at ease, focusing instead on being present on the mat. Gradually, students learn to become aware of their bodies both in their physical and subtle form, so that they too can begin to adapt their lifestyle to their needs off the mat. Whether in need of healing, or of letting go following a stressful day/week, we educate clients how to become more mindful of themselves and their surroundings. Emphasis is placed on alignment, mindfulness and empowerment, combining these with strength, flexibility, balance, pranayama, meditation and the importance of listening to one’s body to ensure a holistic delivery throughout. Most satisfying to us is listening to our students’ transformational stories as they progress from the beginning of their yogic journey. Who are these classes for? Our classes are suitable for anyone who is wishing to:

• Cultivate Flexibility: we'll guide you through gentle stretching movements and poses thoughtfully designed to enhance your body's flexibility with a mindful approach, simultaneously releasing tension and revitalizing your energy.

• Build Strength: we’ll harness the power of your breath to move in a way that cultivates strength from within, empowering you to navigate life's challenges with resilience and grace.

• Find Balance: we’ll embrace the mind-body connection as you explore balance on and off the mat to foster stability and calm in all aspects of your life.

• Cultivate Mindful Breathing: we’ll guide you through suitable breathing practices to support your system in finding solace within the present moment.

• Take Control of One’s Own Well-Being: through gentle yet empowering practices, we offer careful instruction to help you understand and heed your body's wisdom and cues. This empowers you to make mindful choices that honour your unique needs. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a newcomer to the practice, our classes welcome individuals of all levels and backgrounds. No prior experience necessary—just an open heart and a willingness to explore the infinite possibilities within yourself. CORPORATE YOGA

We’ve all heard the term ‘our employees are our biggest asset’. Without them, a firm cannot function and their well-being is therefore as important as their competences to ensure that they perform to their maximum potential for company success. Deadlines, projects, endless to-do lists and difficult colleagues all get the better of us at some point. A weekly appointment with your staff will help them to avoid common job-related injuries, maintain their focus and concentration, boost their immunity, reduce stress, fatigue, anxiety and depressive moods at work and encourage employee satisfaction and well-being to name a few. In turn, the company will benefit from increased productivity, reduced sick and injury leave costs, improved performance and an enhanced employer brand and reputation also amongst clients. Benefits of managing absenteeism / Impact of absenteeism

• Increased productivity;
• Reduced sick and injury leave costs;
• Improved performance;
• Credible employer brand and company reputation amongst clients (delays and staggered workflows never augur well with clients);
• Reduced overtime payments made to employees and/or temporary contract workers having to cover absences
• Improved profit margins:
o increased costs reduce profit margins (unless revenues increase)
o absenteeism can decrease revenue if employees within specific roles are absent

Why take our corporate yoga classes

Our corporate yoga classes are specifically oriented toward the general nature of employees’ work. Whether employees spend most of their day hunched over a desk, lifting heavy weights, engaging in repetitive movements that lead to repetitive strain injury, walk on their feet all day or otherwise, at baobab, we strive to develop classes accordingly. Employees will learn:

• how to establish functional breathing, that will simultaneously: a) enable them to manage stress and thus perform better in meetings and presentations b) reduce stress-related absences
• subtle ways to practice these breathing techniques without giving themselves away – thus encouraging them to engage in these practices without seeming odd
• how to improve their posture which helps them to: a) Avoid musculoskeletal issues related to their general position during the day; b) Distribute oxygen better to their organs providing nourishment throughout
• simple movements that they can engage in to ensure whole-body blood circulation to supports their joints, cartilages and tendons. Each of these requires movement for blood to flow through them and thus maintain their health.
• ways to control their nervous system and thus their nerves, appearing confident and performing optimally (Some people may be prone to entering a freeze or flight state when under pressure).
• Practices that aid their focus and concentration
• Practices that aid their digestion and which can be done after lunch time when performance may wane for some employees

As an employer, you create a more positive work environment both by offering corporate yoga classes as a benefit to staff and because of the effect of yoga which is often stated in many scientific studies.