Frequently asked questions
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is considered to be the “sister science” of Yoga. It is a whole system approach to wellness focusing on seasonal and daily routines, diet, herbs and mindset.
The original “Yoga Therapy” is seen by some to have arisen out of Ayurveda as a holistic medicine system. Ayurveda translates as the knowledge of life. It teaches us how to live in alignment with our personal nature (prakriti) and how to relate to the world around us. Therefore, various Yoga practices (such as postures, meditation, etc.) can be much better understood and utilized through an Ayurvedic approach.
As an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant, Trevor does not diagnose or prescribe medical conditions. Trevor will give you simple, yet powerful educational resources that you can use to empower optimal wellness.
What can I expect in a Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultation?
In an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultation with Trevor, you will explore your body type (dosha), mental tendencies (guna), daily and seasonal routines (dinacharya) and your diet and herbal approaches. Trevor will share educational resources through the lens of Ayurveda such as:
Beginning or adjusting your yoga, meditation and mantra practices to support your unique body-type, age, and life circumstances.
Daily schedule adjustments to tap into powerful natural rhythms
The art and science of “Yogic hygiene” for physical and mental balance.
Cleansing diets: why and when (and when NOT to)
Ayurvedic and western herbs, home remedies, and essential oils for optimal self-care
Ancient and time-tested approaches to your mental relationship to the world and yourself.
Your first session will be 60-minutes, at that time we can review if a follow up session is needed or not. If you aim live an Ayurvedic lifestyle, seasonal appointments are suggested. Ayurveda is a slow method which works to bring us to balance in body and mind. Getting support in adjusting your lifestyle over time is important for fine tuning your Ayurvedic lifestyle approach.
You will be encouraged to consult your professional medical team before making any changes to your lifestyle, exercise routine, and pharmaceutical/supplemental regimes.
What is the difference between an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultation and Yoga Therapy?
Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda use different methods of assessment. Ayurveda uses a unique energetic mind body approach. Yoga Therapy works with Western anatomy physiology and pathology. While these system are supportive of each other the intake and assessment is very different. Both methods use yoga postures, mediation and breathing practices. Ayurveda is a larger system which can include much of what Yoga Therapy offers.
An Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultation will look at what herbs, diet, lifestyle changes that may be useful per the individual needs. A broad and detailed health intake will be taken in light of Ayurvedic mind body energetic principles. From the assessment Trevor will help you understand specific educational resources from the view of Ayurveda. Ayurveda has clear views on Yoga practice inducing Yoga for your body type, breath work, mantra, self inquiry and meditation. These can include addressing body pains.
Yoga Therapy focus on Yoga postures to address pain and how to address your physical approach to modern yoga sequencing. A Yoga Therapy session will focus specifically on how yoga postures, breathing and meditation techniques can help provide individualized therapeutic support in light of Western anatomy and physiology. Yoga Therapy uses Western assessment techniques like orthopedic and ligament strain assessment, musical symmetry, joint mobility and movement/postural patterns. Some sessions may include non-invasive and respectful hands-on postural assessment, and are completely clothed. Informed consent before any physical contact is made as Trevor’s top priority.
Ayurvedic principles around Yoga sequences will be considered in a general Yoga Therapy appointment. A Yoga Therapy session will not include suggestions around herbs, diet, cleansing and daily routine, as time will not allow.
The two approaches are 100% complimentary. Some people are more or less attracted to one approach.
What is Yoga Therapy?
The practice of yoga postures (āsana), organized breathing patterns (pranayama), systemized relaxation techniques (prathhyhara), skilled concentration (dhyarna), and meditation (dhyana) have long since created a powerful healing elixir for the human body, mind and soul connection. We know that yoga has already been used therapeutically for thousands of years.
Yoga Therapy is an emerging field uniting the traditional practices of Yoga and Ayurveda together with western anatomy, physiology, assessment techniques and yoga research for an integrative approach to wellness that is uniquely effective. Yoga has increasingly been the focus of credible medical researchers around the world, helping to carve out this new and exciting field of Yoga Therapy.
Through a one-on-one format, Yoga Therapy is a great next step after Physical Therapy, and can provide supplemental mind-body techniques alongside Psychotherapy. Yoga Therapy (as different from a general yoga class), is tailored to each individual and your unique life goals; whether it is to increase strength so you can have success in your job, reduce physical or emotional pain, or prepare for deep meditation.
Disclaimer: Yoga Therapy should not and does no intended to act as a replacement to medical advice from your physician, doctor or medical specialist. Yoga Therapy is not intended to be a substitute for treatment, diagnosis or advice of a licensed medical professional. Yoga Therapy with Ann Arbor Massage and Yoga Therapy should not be used or considered diagnosis or treatment of medical issues by those who use our services.
What can I expect Yoga Therapy Consultation?
Yoga Therapy works towards specific goals based on assessment and individualized needs. In your first Yoga Therapy session, you will receive in-depth musculoskeletal assessment.
Assessment may include:
• Review of medical history
• Range of motion tests
• Neuromuscular tests
• Gait assessment (movement and walking patterns)
• Postural assessment (how your bones and muscles “stack on each other” creating symmetry or lack thereof)
• In-depth review of injuries
Manage and reduce the negative impacts of:
• Low back and neck pain
• Knee and shoulder pain
• General joint pain
• Arthritis
• Stress and sleep issues
• Anxiety, Depression, and other mood disorders
• Weight issues
• Increase overall wellness and vitality
Possible side-benefits of Yoga Therapy:
• Improved posture
• Balanced Mood
• Strengthening and toning
• Increasing range of motion
• Better digestion and assimilation
• Faster recovery after chronic illness or surgery
• Increased immunity and lymphatic flow
• Lower heart-rate and improved breath mechanics
