Many people do not think about yoga as a form of therapy, but it is one of the top ten alternative healing modalities practiced in the United States (according to NIH) Sharon provides yoga therapy for teens and adults of all ages, physical abilities and experience levels with the following specialties:
Women’s Health
- optimum fertility
- assisted reproductive technology procedure support (IVF support)
- bone health
- pain management (arthritis, shoulder pain, chronic pain, painful periods)
- cesarean and surgical birth recovery
- pregnancy
- depression, anxiety, fear
- menstrual education
- postpartum issues
- hormone balance, metabolism, weight management
Cancer Support
- phone or in-person deep relaxation sessions
- visualization
- meditation
- gentle yoga
- anxiety, fear and mood
- pain management
- surgical recovery: rejuvenation, strengthening, flexibility, balance
- living with cancer
Senior Health
- older adults with arthritis
- chair yoga
- heart and circulation issues
- breathing problems
- strength
- fall prevention/balance
- injury prevention
Teens and Adults
- chronic headaches
- back and neck pain
- insomnia
- mood
- circulation
- metabolism and weight
- painful periods
- menopause support
- injury recovery
- injury prevention for athletes
- depression and anxiety
- stress management
Family
- family yoga sessions
- couple sessions
- birth preparation for couples
- parenting planning for couples
- postnatal family sessions
- mother/daughter sessions
- birthday parties, celebrations, remembering
- ritual
What the Science Says About Yoga
Current research suggests that a carefully adapted set of yoga poses may reduce low-back pain and improve function. Other studies also suggest that practicing yoga (as well as other forms of regular exercise) might improve quality of life; reduce stress; lower heart rate and blood pressure; help relieve anxiety, depression, and insomnia; and improve overall physical fitness, strength, and flexibility. But some research suggests yoga may not improve asthma, and studies looking at yoga and arthritis have had mixed results.
- One NCCAM-funded study of 90 people with chronic low-back pain found that participants who practiced Iyengar yoga had significantly less disability, pain, and depression after 6 months.
- In a 2011 study, also funded by NCCAM, researchers compared yoga with conventional stretching exercises or a self-care book in 228 adults with chronic low-back pain. The results showed that both yoga and stretching were more effective than a self-care book for improving function and reducing symptoms due to chronic low-back pain.
- Conclusions from another 2011 study of 313 adults with chronic or recurring low-back pain suggested that practicing yoga for 12 weeks resulted in better function than usual medical care.