Yoga is a useful tool for maintaining health and preventing disease, and under the guidance of an experienced instructor it can also serve an important therapeutic function. At Kirkland Whole Life Clinic we encourage our patients to integrate yoga into their treatment plans, as appropriate, because of its capacity to support and enhance other healing modalities. In addition to relieving chronic pain, which is one of our specialties, yoga is useful for harmonizing the nervous systems, increasing respiratory health, and stimulating the endocrine glands to naturally rejuvenate the body.
Our practitioners teach Viniyoga, a breath-centered versus form-centered style of yoga. The breath is the unifying force between body, mind, emotion and spirit thus the degree to which we consciously participate in the reception-release cycle of breath significantly impacts our capacity to heal and our overall health and well-being.
Viniyoga is uniquely suited for private yoga sessions because it is a style that adapts the various methods of practice to the unique needs of the individual. Private yoga sessions are tailored in consultation with our other practitioners as needed. A session can range from 30 minutes to two hours and may be conducted in the client’s home or at our clinic.
Why Viniyoga?
There are four characteristics that distinguish Viniyoga from other styles of yoga:
- movement with breath
- repetition and stay
- function over form
- sequencing of poses
Breath is the fundamental link between body, mind, emotion, and spirit and it is emphasized in Viniyoga as the medium for all practice. Repetition and stay in a pose helps to build flexibility and strength as well as re-pattern bodily movement and habits (neuromuscular reintegration). In Viniyoga the goal is to achieve the function of the pose (i.e. stretch in the low back), not to perfect the form of the pose. In each case, the form of any given pose is adapted to the needs of the individual. Proper breathing practices and sequencing of poses creates an overall safe framework wherein the desired intention of the yoga practice is achieved and the body is properly prepared and restored before and after a pose.
Private Yoga Sessions
Yoga was originally taught to one student at a time, and therefore was a highly personalized practice adapted specifically to the requirements and goals of the student. This was the premise under which Sri. T. Krishnamacharya created Viniyoga, thus it is well-designed for private one-on-one yoga sessions.
Private sessions are of value for students at all levels and experience. You can get a new practice off to a good start, accelerate and deepen an existing practice, and most importantly hone in on a specific need, whether recovering from a physical injury, managing chronic pain, or relieving anxiety, grief, or depression.
The benefits of a regular well-guided yoga practice are many:
Chair-based Yoga Video
Sonia Weirich demonstrates yoga moves you can easily incorporate into your day. If practiced regularly, you can increase your lung capacity, awareness of your breath, improve circulation and release tension. Overall you will feel relaxed, balanced and alert.