“Yoga therapy is the professional application of the principles and practices of yoga to promote health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship that includes, personalised assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management and yoga practices for individuals or small groups.” International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)
Yoga Therapy approaches health as a process of coming back to wholeness. As a practitioner using yoga therapeutically, I draw on yoga practices and embodied movement to support physical and mental well-being, promote self-care, and enhance overall quality of life.
What to Expect in a Session
Individual sessions are typically an hour long and may include postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxation techniques. Each session is co-created with you, based on a detailed intake process to understand what you need for your mind, body, and spirit at this moment.
Creating a Life of Meaning and Purpose
In Therapeutic Yoga, we use the Kosha model to understand health—a theory that describes five layers of the self:
- Physical sheath (Annamaya): The physical body, what we can see and touch.
- Energetic and breath sheath (Pranamaya): The energy and life force within.
- Mental sheath (Manomaya): Thoughts and emotions.
- Intuitive and discernment sheath (Vijnanamaya): Our deeper wisdom and insight.
- Bliss sheath (Anandamaya): A sense of joy and peace within.
We aren’t just focusing on the physical body, but also on the subtle aspects of ourselves—the energy that resonates and connects us. This is where the Prana, or life force, can be felt, as described by Tias Little as the “fine, delicate, infinitesimally small” experience within the body.
Client Testimonial
“Saskia provides such a trusting and present space for when I come to these sessions. It has enabled me to open up about emotions, experiences, and feelings in a way that I would ordinarily find difficult to express.”
Understanding Hindrances to Health
In yoga philosophy, we also explore the Kleshas—hindrances that create obstacles to wellness. These hindrances, along with our Samskaras (unconscious habits), often prevent the free flow of prana and contribute to feelings of dis-ease. We take time to explore what might be getting in the way of your ease—whether it’s tiredness, anxiety, burnout, or the habit of “keeping going” when rest is needed. This approach helps us understand what it means to be human and to work towards a sense of balance and well-being.
Accessible Yoga for Everyone
The yoga I offer is designed to be fully accessible, focusing on gentle movement and developing awareness of the body and breath to promote calm and relaxation. Together, we’ll explore yoga postures that activate the parasympathetic nervous system, support the immune system, and create more space in the body.
These gentle movements help gradually increase physical activity, vitality, strength, stability, flexibility, and balance. The sessions are also aimed at reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep, and developing personalized tools for self-care. You will be gently guided to connect with your body, building awareness and a deeper sense of connection to yourself.
Client Testimonial
“Saskia provides the perfect balance of listening, wisdom, and action in these sessions. I come away feeling lighter, heard, understood, and equipped with tools to navigate my current emotional difficulties and incorporate into my daily life.”
Sessions are available locally in Hove or in your own home. To learn more about my approach, check out my blog post: Introducing the Reluctant Yogi.
Benefits of Therapeutic Yoga
Therapeutic Yoga offers numerous benefits, including:
- Learning tools for self-care
- Reducing anxiety and building resilience
- Connecting with a stronger sense of self
- Improving concentration and developing confidence
- Being in the moment and accepting yourself as you are
- Connecting with and respecting your feelings, body, thoughts, and needs
- Noticing reactions with curiosity rather than judgment
- Regulating the nervous system and finding calm
- Letting go of competitiveness—embracing trust and self-value
- Building connections with others and deepening self-understanding
- Supporting difficult emotions, relaxation, and improved sleep
- Enhancing strength, stability, and flexibility
Therapeutic Yoga and Art Therapy
“I am finding each session a very helpful and life-affirming experience.” — Client Testimonial
My intention is to provide something nourishing and healing, to help you reconnect with your body and learn to listen to it with compassion. I also offer combined Art Therapy and Therapeutic Yoga sessions, supporting a deeper connection with yourself and others.
Art Therapy moves beyond an over-reliance on words, helping you connect more directly with your inner self through art materials, without getting stuck in thinking. Therapeutic Yoga complements this by fostering a stronger sense of identity, self-awareness, and compassion for yourself and others. Together, these practices help us become more present, kind, and grounded—embracing even the most vulnerable parts of ourselves.
Yoga for Young People
I also offer one-to-one yoga or therapeutic sessions for young people. If you’re interested, we can meet first to discuss what you might need and answer any questions. All bodies are welcome! Loose clothing is perfect; no need for leggings. Sessions are friendly and focused on relaxation, reducing stress and anxiety, and improving mood while supporting the immune system.
What to Expect in a Yoga Session for Stress and Anxiety
- Breathwork: Learn breathing techniques to feel grounded and calm.
- Knowledge: Understand the body’s stress response and how yoga can help.
- Simple Yoga Shapes: Explore poses you can practice at home to release stress.
- Relaxation: Lots of relaxation to bring balance and ease.
YOGA IS FOR ANYONE AND EVERYONE – YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE FLEXIBLE!
My Yoga Training
- Yoga Therapy Diploma (550hr), Yoga United (ongoing)
- Yoga Therapy Foundation Module 1, British Wheel of Yoga (60hr), with Judy Hirsh Sampath, Yoga United Education (2021-2022)
- Yoga4Health, Yoga in Healthcare Alliance (35hr), with Heather Mason and Paul Fox, focusing on reducing stress and improving mental health (2020)
- Yoga and Somatics for Healing and Recovery (70hr), with Charlotte Watts, focusing on addressing stress, trauma, burnout, and anxiety through compassionate embodiment (2021-2022)
- Art of Teaching 1-2-1 (2 years), with Kate Ellis, developing one-to-one therapeutic yoga skills (2018-2020)
- Trauma Centre, Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (20hr) with Alex Cat, based on David Emerson’s work (2019)
- Well-Woman Yoga Therapy, Yoga Campus, focusing on women’s health (2017)
- Embodied Relational Yoga and Supervision, with Kate Ellis (2017)
- 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, Universal Yoga (2017)
- TeenYoga Teacher Training (Yoga Alliance), empowering teens through yoga and mindfulness (2016)
- Yoga for Neurodevelopmental Differences, with Dr. Lucy Clarke, focused on Autism and ADHD
- Teaching Yoga and Mindfulness to Teens, Special Yoga Foundation training
Supporting young people in developing self-awareness and a positive relationship with themselves begins with compassion and acceptance. I truly believe that Art Therapy and Yoga together offer young people innovative and empowering tools as they navigate anxiety, stress, and confusion—building a stronger sense of self and learning to express themselves creatively, without fear or judgment.
Art Therapy & Yoga 