Rebekah's Yoga Therapy Journey
I started my personal yoga journey nearly 15 years ago when I was suffering from chronic neck and back pain. On top of having juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, I was spending many long hours behind a desk at a stressful corporate job and didn't yet fully understand the impact of stress on the mind and body. When a spiritual advisor recommended I try yoga, my first response was that I wasn't flexible enough. His immediate answer was..."This is exactly why you need to do yoga!" He was right. I started my yoga journey and never looked back.
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In 2010 I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training. Very soon I began honing my teaching skills to modify practices for people with physical limitations and chronic health conditions. As more of my students began approaching me with questions about their unique ailments, I knew I wanted to further my education and become a yoga therapist.
In January of 2022 I became a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) after completing a 900-hour yoga therapy program. I soon created Bodhi Leaf Yoga to work one on one with individuals to tailor the tools of therapeutic yoga to their unique needs. I now work with my clients holistically to improve their health with everything from strength and balance, to stress reduction, to pain management, to illness support, to getting a better night's sleep.
Certifications and Education
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Bachelors of Science in Psychology, University of Mary Washington
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Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), through Surya Chandra Healing Yoga School (SCHYS), an IAYT-accredited yoga therapy program
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Yoga Therapy Specialty Certifications
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Auto-immune Conditions
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Cancer
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Neurological Conditions
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Respiratory Conditions
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Sacro-iliac, Sciatica, and Scoliosis
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Sleep and Insomnia
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Substance Abuse and Addiction
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Trauma Healing
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Bandhas
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Experienced 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher E-RYT500, SCHYS, registered with Yoga Alliance
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200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, Devalila Yoga
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Veterans Yoga Project Mindful Resilience Training
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Yoga for Seniors
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Yoga and Positive Psychology
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Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED
My Approach to Yoga Therapy
I develop accessible, therapeutic plans tailored to the individual's specific nature, current capacity, time available, and lifestyle. Adapting tools of yoga therapy such as mindful movement, breathwork, meditation, and deep relaxation, I work with individuals facing health challenges to manage their conditions, reduce symptoms, and restore balance. I specialize in yoga therapy for emotional regulation, trauma healing, illness support, and musculoskeletal issues including chronic back pain.
As your yoga therapist I can be with you every step of the way on your healing journey. I acknowledge that you are the expert of your own body and experiences. As an active participant in your own healing, I encourage your feedback as your yoga therapy journey to wellbeing evolves to ensure the practices work for you. Most of all, with compassion and a bit of humor, I seek to inspire, uplift, and help you reconnect to your best self.
Yoga Therapy
In-Person and Virtual Options
I currently offer private yoga therapy sessions at Heal Me Yoga Institute in Fredericksburg, VA. Before booking your first appointment, I invite you to schedule a free,15-minute phone consultation with me. We can discuss my approach and whether yoga therapy is right for you.
Accessibility
Yoga therapy is accessible to EVERY body. Practices can be designed for the floor, chair, at a wall, or for raised, flat surfaces such as a bed.
