Structural Yoga Therapy

Structural Yoga Therapy™ (SYT) program adapts yoga to the individual’s unique needs. When health is optimal, the body assumes a natural balance of muscle strength and range of motion.   However, when illnesses, injuries or structural anomalies are present, they disrupt the body’s innate harmony.   Structural Yoga Therapy permits the therapist to assess the client’s restrictions and create an adaptive yoga program uniquely tailored to the individual.   This therapeutic modality holds the potential to eliminate or greatly alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by misalignment or injury.

This method was created in 1976 by Mukunda Stiles, author of Structural Yoga Therapy .  Mukunda Stiles is currently on the Advisory Board of the International Association of Yoga Therapists  and is the founder of the Yoga Therapy Center ( www.yogatherapycenter.org ). He is the author of “Structural Yoga Therapy” and “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali”.  

The   Joint Freeing Series is the foundation for SYT.   These 21 movements promote healing and reduces pain, while increasing range of motion and strength.  All students, especially those with injuries, arthritis, structural asymmetries and back aliments will benefit from this practice.

Workshops can be presented at offices, schools, support groups, wellness centers and yoga studios. These classes are especially good for people in stressful environments, jobs that may present repetative strain injuries, and for people who have never done yoga before but have always wanted to.  Workshops can be just one presentation lasting about 3 hours, or several classes given over the course of 4 to 8 weeks. Please contact Bonnie directly to discuss price structure.

Outline for Structural Yoga Therapy Workshop:

Presented in one to two   1 ½   hour classes:

Presentation includes lecture and practice, question and answer period regarding specific injuries, how stress affects the physical body, and other issues based on the interest of the participants.   The Joint Freeing Series and Sacral Mobilization Series are taught along with stress reducing breathing practices.   Anatomy and kinesiology is examined through the practice.

4 week course outline-1 to 1 ½ hour class:

Working with Structural Yoga Therapy and the Joint Freeing Series, students track their progress using a pain or discomfort scale, range of motion and muscle testing.   As the class progresses students are encouraged to bring up their personal experiences with the poses and excercises; where they are feeling stronger, more flexible, and where they are feeling a reduction of pain.   Students throughout the class series are guided to connect to their bodies, breath and experience. Anatomy and kinesiology is examined through the practice.

please refer to the pages Structural Yoga Therapy   and  Private Sessions  for further information on Structural Yoga Therapy.