
Customized Yoga
One of the biggest misconceptions about yoga is that it is not for everyone. In actuality, yoga is such a versatile practice that it can be designed to suit any age, body, or physical fitness level. The goal of yoga is to reconnect with the body to help increase resilience and promote both physical and emotional wellness. While group yoga classes can definitely have their benefits, they can sometimes feel intimidating or uncomfortable, especially for those who don’t have much yoga experience. Additionally, group classes tend to have a more generic structure and typically cater to those individuals already practicing yoga on a regular basis. The advantage of one-on-one, customized yoga sessions is that they can be specifically tailored to best suit your unique body, needs, goals, experience, and comfort level. The yoga sessions at AVA Mind Body are designed to honor your individual journey towards wellness by meeting you exactly where you are. Instead of expecting you to adapt to a pre-designed yoga practice, the yoga practice will adapt to you.
How It Works
The first meeting will typically involve a discussion about your individual goals, needs, concerns, and comfort/fitness level so that we can develop a customized plan for your yoga practice. Some common goals for starting or continuing a yoga practice might include:
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Stress and anxiety reduction
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Improved concentration
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Increased flexibility and balance
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Improved emotional and physical well-being
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Increased energy
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Deeper self-connection
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Greater self-confidence
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Spiritual and/or emotional growth
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Pain and/or weight management

Approach
There are many different styles of yoga to choose from when developing a personalized plan for you based on your needs and goals. Some of the types of yoga I use with clients in private sessions include:
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Hatha Yoga Slower paced, beginner friendly style that focuses on holding poses and practicing alignment
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Yin Yoga Slow-paced style that emphasizes deep, passive stretches held for extended periods of time to promote flexibility and improve range of motion
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Chair Yoga Modified type of yoga designed for individuals with limited mobility, balance issues, and other physical restrictions in which poses are performed seated while in a chair
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Prenatal Yoga Slow, gentle style of Hatha yoga with poses that are modified to meet the needs of individuals who are pregnant or recovering after giving birth
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Restorative Yoga Gentle style that often uses props (like bolsters, blankets, and blocks) to support the body and promote deep relaxation
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Yoga Nidra Form of guided meditation that aims to induce deep relaxation and inner peace by bridging the gap between wakefulness and sleep
Some additional techniques that I may incorporate into your practice include:
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Mindfulness - Bringing attention to the present moment and accepting thoughts without judgement
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Meditation - Training the mind to let go of distractions and focus on achieving a state of calm and clarity
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Breathwork - Intentional, conscious-controlled breathing to help improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being
Whether you are new to yoga or you’ve had previous yoga experience, I would love to connect with you to further discuss how I might be able to help you build or strengthen your practice!

*Please note that it is important to consult with your healthcare provider before engaging in any kind of somatic practice, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition, are new to exercise, or have current or past injuries