Yoga Center of Maine, Inc. Therapy

What is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga Therapy is also called Yoga Cikitsa, which means "medical or healing yoga." Yoga therapy is the contemporary term for the therapeutic application of yoga. Yoga therapy provides instruction in traditional Yoga practices to prevent or alleviate pain and suffering and their root causes. Yoga therapy acknowledges the multidimensional nature of the human being by effectively addressing the anatomical, physiological, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions of a person. A person may choose yoga therapy for a number of reasons; time, scheduling, general conditions, a malady or special situation, sport conditioning, or rehab from injuries/surgeries. Some conditions commonly helped by yoga therapy are:


	Musculoskeletal ie: low back, hips, neck, shoulders Autoimmune disorders Multiple Sclerosis Fibromyalgia Chronic Fatigue Arthritis pain Hypertension, Diabetes, Asthma, Menopause, Cancer Mental Health, PTSD, Depression ADD, ADHD Stress

Structurally, Yoga Therapy is very effective because it focuses not just on individual muscles, but upon creating balanced tone along the lines of myofascial continuity. The kind of "stretching" in yoga is eccentric stretching in which a muscle is first engaged and then lengthened or "stretched" while still engaged (rather than just pulling at the muscle like a rubber band). In this way, muscles are always strengthened and lengthened at the same time.

Yoga Therapy is also effective for many psychological and spiritual disorders. Yoga Therapy is limited to rehabilitation or chronic pain, not acute pain. All clients are required to have regular visits, with their physician so a "team" approach to their whole health and well-being can be established.

About our Yoga Therapist

Tammy is a certified and nationally registered yoga teacher with the National Yoga Alliance and a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She began her studies in Power Yoga with Beryl Bender Birch and has since studied with master teachers like Patricia Walden, Arthur Kilmurray, Doug Swenson, Doug Keller and more. In 2001, Tammy founded and is now president of Yoga Center of Maine, Inc. One year later, in 2002, she brought Maine's only Yoga Teacher Training Certification School to the state with Kim Valeri of YOGAspirit Studios.

Tammy has had her private practice for over 8 years. She holds a degree in Applied and Radiological Science, a degree in Sports Medicine and is currently working toward a dual doctorate degree in Natural Health and Naturopathy. Her education and experience in medicine, coupled with her education and experience in complimentary and alternative therapies, allows her to assist her clients in their efforts towards peace and well-being. Her integrative and "team" approach keeps her in contact with many of the medical and "health" promoting professionals of the Lewiston/Auburn, Augusta and Portland areas.

In addition to her private practice, Tammy enjoys her family, teaching yoga classes, mentoring and providing continuing education to yoga teachers and speaking at workshops, in-services and medical conferences.

Yoga Therapy Sessions:

Assessment: The initial visit is a full hour, including personal interview, physical, mental and emotional health history, range of motion, flexibility, body alignment, walking/gait, structural and breathing assessments. We review results of the assessments with you and explain the plan, goals and actions based on assessment results. Most clients begin with a minimum of 3 sessions.

Personal Yoga Therapy Program: To assist in bringing strength, flexibility and balance to the mind and physical body, all programs are specific to the individual's needs and aspirations. Individual programs will vary and may include all or some of the below listed principles:

Autogenic/Autonomic Nervous System (Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic) training with breath work
Bio-mechanical re-education focusing on linking movements to deep rhythmic breathing with an emphasis on relaxation
Therapeutic application and specific sequencing of yoga poses based upon individual's situation or malady
Structurally creating integrity and balanced tone by softening where one is hard, and toning where one is lax or weak
Opening and using actions that center and align the bones in their joints that may be stuck causing wear and tear through misaligned movements
Restoring flow of energy; from muscular freedom, circulation and fullness of breath, to flow of self-awareness in the body
Expanding; a healthy body and mind are centered, allowing easy extension through the core of the body and through healthy, unstuck and aligned joints.
Rest, relaxation, guided visualization, meditation
Journaling
Holistic/Whole Food Nutrition
Continued support through on-going sessions, group classes, phone and email
Teamwork approach, working closely with an individual's physician or other health "promoting" providers to maximize the success of the individual's whole health and well-being.

For more information, please call Tammy at 754-8877 or Click HERE to email Tammy!