YOGA CAN BE USED AS A THERAPY:

TO MANAGE PAIN AND IMPROVE HEALTH

Yoga therapy can improve your health. The physical postures change your body and the relaxation skills reduce stress. Breathing techniques have scientifically proven abilities to reduce anxiety, improve sleep and overall health.

With a guided and tailored healthcare-specific practice, under the guidance of a healthcare professional, yoga therapy can help you find a better quality of life. Not all yoga styles or group classes are suitable if you are working with a health condition. Sometimes the pace is too fast, or not enough guidance is given. My style is slow, steady and safe.

I have a particular interest and experience in yoga therapy for Persistent Low Back Pain. Click here to find out more.

1:1 YOGA

1:1 yoga sessions with a therapeutic focus start with a full assessment of your individual needs and physical health, including an osteopathic examination if needed. Yoga can be used if you are working with pain, for injury rehabilitation, to unwind chronic patterns in your body or to reduce stress – and as a Registered Osteopath I am able to understand your healthcare situation in a way that other teachers may not. I use all my professional knowledge, experience and training to apply how yoga can benefit you.

Sessions can also be used to build on your yoga knowledge or to start a practice in a safe environment rather than in a group class.

All 1:1 lessons take place in my well-equipped studio in Ealing. A session lasts 1 hour and you will have a closely-supervised practice and an individual plan to practice at home. For therapeutic yoga, the first session may take a little longer. Click here to find out more .

1:1 Yoga may be accompanied by osteopathic treatment if needed. Many patients enjoy a session that includes time on the mat and time on the treatment table.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESITONS

How can yoga as therapy help me?

I have worked with patients who wish to improve their symptoms and health following Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Joint Pain, Arthritic Pain, Insomnia, Anxiety, Stress Surgical Recovery and post Cancer treatment,. Yoga works as a therapy to improve physical movement, improve sleep, encourage relaxation and reduce anxiety. No cases are the same – please call me to discuss how yoga could help your situation.

When we first meet, I take a detailed case history to find out all about your situation. If needed I conduct an osteopathic examination. Then we discuss what your objectives are and we agree (or not) if yoga can help. From here I can plan your individual practice.

Yoga for Persistent Low Back Pain

Yoga is a perfect practice for helping to improve low back pain. The combination of moving gently, breathing better and learning to relax is a powerful cocktail with proven benefits to improve low back pain. The NHS NICE guidelines for Persistent Low Back Pain published in 2016 suggest mind-body practices alongside manual therapy such as osteopathy.

I lead a ‘Persistent Low Back Pain Programme’ in the NHS – the pilot was delivered at UCLH in London in 2017 – and the course continues at the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine. This forms the basis of my 1:1 teaching sessions in Ealing and incorporates yoga, pain education, graded exposure and acceptance therapy – evidence-based modern theories of pain management and reduction. It is a powerful cocktail that helps to unwind the heightened levels of stress, fear and discomfort that accompany persistent pain.

I have worked with patients who have undergone several sets of spinal surgery or endured decades of back pain. Yoga has helped some of them change their lives:

“I came to Anji with chronic back pain that had been worsening over many years, and was struggling to find a way to manage my condition such that I could become more active and reduce my dependency on painkillers. Her combination of osteopathy, sage advice, kind words and expert yoga teaching has resulted in my returning to the gym and swimming pool, and negated the need for painkillers at all. Perhaps more importantly, Anji’s helped my take notice of, understand, and nurture my own body. Not only am I more flexible and in significantly less pain – I’m also calmer, more focused and self-aware. I have a far greater understanding of what my body is/ isn’t capable of, and how it reacts to breathing, movement and exercise. Anji’s given me a grounding in basic Yoga and mindfulness practice that I’m able to build upon and grow in my own time – and to continually develop in my own way. It’s put me back in control of my pain – rather than the other way round. I can’t thank her enough.” Mr B, January 2018

What happens in a session ?

Practice sessions take place in my clinic in Ealing. We practice yoga together – this might be moving, breathing, restorative yoga or other practices such as relaxation depending on your need. I explain the postures and you can ask as many questions as you like You don’t need to bring anything, just wear loose comfy clothing.

How many sessions will I need ?

Yoga is a series of practices – movement, breathing, relaxation, meditation etc. To get them to work, you need to practice so your body and mind can start to change. Most patients start with weekly sessions, then start to spread out their treatment as they start to increase their home practice. Some continue returning on a monthly basis to ‘top up’ their yoga practice. Others join one of my group classes. I provide tailored practice sheets for you to work at home.

How does it work ? Is this just 'new age' alternative thinking ?

Yoga is a collection of ancient and more modern practices designed to balance body, mind and spirit. Yoga teachers and students have long known the benefits to health from practicing yoga. Some of the benefits come from an overall healthy lifestyle. However, as a healthcare professional working in the NHS and privately I am also interested in the proven, evidence-based ways that specific yoga practices change health. There is a wealth of scientific research out there from reputable scientific institutions and more is being conducted all the time. Here are a selection of research articles, but contact me if you have specific queries.

Can I combine Yoga and Osteopathy ?

Yes if appropriate. We can lengthen sessions to allow for hands-on treatment and a yoga practice. Prices by arrangement.

What does a session cost?

An initial consultation with Anji for Therapeutic Yoga lasts around 75 minutes and costs £185. Anji will waive this fee in return for a donation or £85 to our supported charities – typically London Air Ambulance. This can be done via our Just Giving page.

At your initial consultation we will agree a way to work together and the ongoing cost will depend on your requirements. Many clients find better results from booking a number of sessions and making the committment to make lasting changes.

I came to Anji with chronic back pain that had been worsening over many years, and was struggling to find a way to manage my condition such that I could become more active and reduce my dependency on painkillers. Her combination of osteopathy, sage advice, kind words and expert yoga teaching has resulted in my returning to the gym and swimming pool, and negated the need for painkillers at all. Perhaps more importantly, Anji’s helped my take notice of, understand, and nurture my own body. I can’t thank her enough.

Mr B, 45

I was feeling weak after cancer surgery and treatment and wanted to build up my strength and flexibility. Anji has been very patient and kind and I think a lot of my physical progress is down to these sessions. She often knows better than I do what I need at each particular session so when I am more tired after a busy week we do more restorative yoga but when I want to advance she suggests new yoga movements to try. She is great at reminding me to slow down when I’m feeling overwhelmed.

Mrs S, 40s