What is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga therapy is a personalised yoga practice specifically tailored for you and your unique needs. Through my journey with yoga, I have learned to view the human body as made up of the Five Koshas. The koshas represent five distinct layers that comprise the entirety of the human form. They are defined as follows:
Annamaya Kosha, which refers to the physical body;
Pranamaya Kosha, the energy body;
Manomaya Kosha, the emotional body;
Vijananamaya Kosha, the wisdom body;
Anadamaya Kosha, also known as the bliss body.
Engaging with these koshas teaches us to consider ourselves both fully and completely, fostering a holistic understanding of our being.
A therapeutic practice may incorporate asana, which includes various physical postures, or it may focus on a specific meditation technique or breathing practice. Ultimately, yoga therapy is designed to enhance and support your current healing practices, allowing for a more integrated approach to well-being.
“Yoga therapy is that facet of the ancient science of Yoga that focuses on health and wellness at all levels of the person: physical, psychological, and spiritual. Yoga therapy focuses on the path of Yoga as a healing journey that brings balance to the body and mind through an experiential understanding of the primary intention of Yoga: awakening of Spirit, our essential nature.”
Sandra’s Experience
Sandra Thorne was one of the pioneering figures to offer yoga therapy in Central Alberta, helping to shape the practice in the region. With an impressive background that includes more than one thousand hours of specialized training, Sandra also brings over twelve years of hands-on experience as a dedicated yoga therapist.
Her extensive experience encompasses a wide range of areas, including support for individuals dealing with depression and anxiety, as well as grief and trauma. Additionally, she addresses various health concerns such as high blood pressure, stroke recovery, and cancer management. Sandra also focuses on physical healing, assisting those recovering from injuries or experiencing chronic back pain. Furthermore, she provides support for those navigating addiction recovery and offers valuable spiritual guidance to enhance overall well-being.
“Throughout my adult life I have accumulated multiple injuries while at play or work that have caused severe back pain at times. This was managed through Massage and Chiropractic care for years.
A few months ago, I met with Sandra for a yoga therapy session. I have used the techniques and exercises to almost eliminate the need for massage or Chiropractic care. Gone are the days where I could tell my back was going out of alignment and hoping I could hang on till my next cracking! With the tailored stretches and therapy tools I can manage my back stress before it becomes pain when I push myself to hard with projects or heavy labour. The sequence of poses Sandra has designed for me also help build muscles to support and strengthen my trouble areas to reduce & in some cases eliminate discomfort and issues.”