Frequently
Asked Questions
What happens at the first appointment?
Yoga Therapy - We will have a conversation prior to a first appointment to see if we are a good fit to work together. If so, you will receive an extensive questionnaire to create a fuller picture of your health and wellness journey to date. When we meet for your first appointment, please make sure to wear comfortable clothing in which you can move.
Everything has to start with assessment - postural, movement patterns, doshic (element combination constitution), a kosha assessment to determine level of connections/separations (physical body, energetic body, psycho-emotional body, wisdom/intuitive body, bliss/spiritual body) and discussion to determine clients interest in path forward.
Massage Therapy - Ayurvedic bodywork will not be available as an add on in the first appointment. As with yoga therapy - We will have a conversation prior to a first appointment to see if we are a good fit to work together, and you will receive an extensive questionnaire prior to our meeting. All massage work, other than ayurvedic bodywork will be done clothed, so please make sure to wear comfortable clothing in which you can move, removing anything binding like belts, bras/binders, support socks, etc. We will discuss your health history and current state, and do a breath, structural, and tissue assessment which will primarily be hands on. This is unlike most approaches to massage, so please do not expect to be face down and silent the whole session. Our work together will be very interactive.
Group Classes - Will be more like Yoga Therapy in many ways, though less formal and involved. You will receive specific information, based on the class, at enrollment.
Mentoring, Consulting, and Education Sessions - Will vary depending on goals and subject matter
What do you mean when you say "movement"?
This includes but is not limited to:
- Breathwork
- Resistance Practices
- Functional Movement Training
- Aquatic Movement Practices (water aerobics, aqua yoga, water as resistance training, etc.)
- Stability and Mobility work (Strengthening, Stretching, Balance)
- Mobility Ball Work
- Chair sessions
- Some "traditional" asana
- Adaptive Movement
- Proprioceptive, Interoceptive, Neuroceptive, Occulo-Vestibular Specific Movement
- Rehabilitative
- Surgical Prevention/Preparation/
Optimization Specific Movement - Short practices available via video and via zoom in small groups
Morning/afternoon/evening adaptive and strength classes as available
**Movement options available in individual and small group options**
What happens in massage/body work sessions?
75-minute sessions base - 10- 15 minute add on options
This includes whatever I feel is needed after assessment and could include (almost always first four) lymphatics work (ostepathy based not manual lymphatic drainage), fascia re-patterning, visceral manipulation, breathing education, cranio-sacral (again osteopathy based), ayurvedic (garshan, abhyanga, marma, swedana), passive/assisted stretch therapy, neuro-kinetics, vibrational work
Add Ons
- Dynamic/Active Silicone Cupping
- Kinesio-Tape (Rocktape)
- Castor Oil Packs
- Dry brushing, self-massage, neti, nasya instruction
- Foot/Hand/Scalp/Face specific work
- Yoga Nidra or Guided Relaxation
- Weighted blanket supported relaxation/Deep Pressure Stimulation
- Instruction in Supporting Movement/Mobility Take Home
- Breathing practice
- Tactile ASMR
- Essential Oil/Aromatherapy
Money Money Money - Why is this expensive? Why can't I use insurance? Do I tip?
Expensive
Yes, for many these service can be expensive. The extensive training I have is equivalent in hours of study to a doctoral degree. I am bringing more than thirty years of practice and lived experience, in addition to academic training. I offer an approach and perspective few others can let alone do.
Each session is 75 minutes for approximately $150. A cash pay visit with your primary care physician of that length would average five to ten times that amount ($750-$1,500) in the US. Let alone someone specialized to work with conditions you are experiencing.
I never want someone to be deterred from working with me though due to cost. I have a variety of price point services available, always hold scholarship options open for my non-contract offerings, and am a big fan of barter options. Reach out if it feels cost prohibitive and I will do my best to work with you. I no longer offer formal sliding fee scale options due to folks that had greater means taking advantage of that option, but know that I will work with those that are of lesser financial means to get something meaningful and useful at a rate that is doable for you.
Insurance
Most insurances do not cover my services, and when they do it is time and cost prohibitive for me to file with insurers. However, if you have a diagnostic code from a healthcare provider, and they formally recommend any of my services, I am happy to provide a superbill with which you can file for reimbursement.
Insurance that may pay for my services include but are not limited to workers compensation, personal injury, disability
Please also be advised that many FSA/HSA will cover my services, but please check with your provider in advance
Tip
Absolutely Not!
While most in the massage industry may expect tipping, what I do is therapeutic intervention service, not a hospitality or spa service. Unless you tip your chiropractor, PT, or therapist, please do not consider tipping me.
What's your mind/body work entail?
- Yoga Nidra
- Meditation Education - hundreds of options
- Meditation Group Practice
- Creative Meditation Practice (coloring, visual/literary/acoustic arts practices for meditation/self- reflection)
- Relaxation
- Self-care through Self-study/Self-Talk
- Mudras and Affirmations
- Lifestyle Practices using Ayurveda and Yoga Philosophy lenses
- Individual coaching/mentoring using yoga philosophy and study
- Education on Proprioceptive/Interoceptive/Exteroceptive/Neuroceptive awareness and experience
My gut is killing me. What can you do for that?
Nutritional Path Support
GAPS, SCD, Anti-Inflammatory, Ayurvedic, Intuitive Eating Approach, FodMaps, Local Seasonal Eating Approaches, Approaches to Leaky Gut
I do not "advise" in nutritional areas - I am not a nutritionist or dietician, but have experience with and associated training in these nutritional approaches, and am able to provide information sources and support as individuals explore them either self-initiated or medically suggested
Bias Reconciliation and Education Work Support
Functioning as a sounding board, space holder, support resource as people work through examining and educating themselves regarding internalized biases with respect to demographic groups in US society.
I offer prepay packages for sessions that can include all of the above, with varying discounts, and can be contacted directly to work with sliding fee arrangements.
