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 personalized assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management, and yoga practices for individuals or small groups. The goals of yoga therapy include:

• eliminating, reducing, or managing symptoms that cause suffering

• improving function

• helping to prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of underlying causes of illness

• moving toward improved health and well-being

• helping clients/students change their relationship to and identification with their condition

Yoga is a scientific system of self-investigation, self-transformation, and self-realization that originated in India. The teachings of yoga are rooted in the Vedas and grounded in classical texts and a rich oral tradition. This tradition recognizes that the human being’s essential nature is unchanging awareness that exists in relationship to and identification with the changing phenomena of the empirical world.

The yoga tradition views humans as a multidimensional system that includes all aspects of body; breath; and mind, intellect, and emotions and their mutual interaction. Yoga is founded on the basic principle that intelligent practice can positively influence the direction of change within these human dimensions, which are distinct from an individual’s unchanging nature or spirit.

The practices of yoga traditionally include, but are not limited to, asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, chanting, mudra, ritual, and a disciplined lifestyle. Yoga therapy is the appropriate application of these teachings and practices in a therapeutic context in order to support a consistent yoga practice that will increase self-awareness and engage the client/student’s energy in the direction of desired goals.

The practice of yoga therapy requires specialized training and skill development to support the relationship between the client student and therapist and to effect positive change for the individual. Yoga therapy is informed by its sister science, Ayurveda. As part of a living tradition, yoga therapy continues to evolve and adapt to the cultural context in which it is practiced, and today, it is also informed by contemporary health sciences. Its efficacy is supported by an increasing body of research evidence, which contributes to the growing understanding and acceptance of its value as a therapeutic discipline. (From IAYT)

private sessions & Small Groups

Yoga therapy is typically a 1:1 practice or for small groups of people with similar concerns.
 Individualized instruction ensures you get the information you need in a safe, non-intimidating environment.

about fawn

Fawn Williams, C-IAYT is certified by the esteemed International Association of Yoga Therapists, and has over fourteen years experience working in the field of trauma recovery in clinical, institutional, and outreach settings. She uses a therapeutic, person-centered behavioral health model incorporating theory and practices of yoga and yoga's sister science, Ayurveda. Her specific training draws from the knowledge bases of physical therapy, interpersonal neurobiology, perinatal health, and trauma sensitive care. She works side-by-side with client’s health care providers and offers a robust list of providers in various specialties for referrals.

experience

Fawn is an advocate for the field of yoga therapy as a non invasive, cost-effective, biopsychosocial model of complementary care. She has led professional development trainings for The District of Hillsboro’s Trauma Informed Elementary School to both teachers and staff. She has presented on the Neuroscience of Yoga for mental health professionals at Columbia Care, and guest lectured about Yoga for Eating Disorders to Graduate Candidates in Counseling at Lewis & Clark College. She also has led professional development trainings for Chiropractic clinics around Portland.

Her work experience includes being part of a clinical treatment program at MonteNido’s Intensive Outpatient and Residential Clinics for adults, and adolescents recovering from eating disorders for over five years. She spent five years at Alma Midwifery’s movement center teaching prenatal and mama baby yoga, and taught postnatal recovery at perinatal studio Pod & Kin. Fawn has taught group yoga classes, private lessons, workshops and retreats since 2008 around the Portland Metro region.

IAYT

An International Association of Yoga Therapy Certified Yoga Therapist means a minimum of 850 hours of training, and at least 100 hours of supervision in private practice. The International Association of Yoga Therapy has a strict code of ethics, and requires those who have been Certified to complete annual Continuing Education hours. All of this additional training takes time and means that a C-IAYT has thousands of hours of teaching experience, individually and for specialized groups.

training

Fawn’s training includes Adaptive Yoga (hip/knee replacement, post/pre-operative, MS, Parkinson’s, perinatal health, disc issues, repetitive stress/joint strain); and yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, and Interpersonal Neurobiology (addiction, eating disorders, anxiety/depression). In addition she completed two 200-hour level teacher trainings, multiple 20-hour trainings, and professional development immersions, and a 24-month Postnatal Pilates apprenticeship. She has also shadowed with Pediatric Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists.

SPECIALTIES

Eating disorders, and disordered eating, postpartum recovery including diastasis recti and pelvic floor support, yoga therapy for adolescents, anxiety, frozen shoulder, hypermobility, knee and hip replacements, and spinal fusions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What style of yoga do you teach?

I use a therapeutic, person-centered behavioral health model incorporating theory and practices of yoga and yoga's sister science, Ayurveda. My specific training draws from the knowledge bases of physical therapy, interpersonal neurobiology, perinatal health, and trauma sensitive care. I am a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapy, and of the Yoga Alliance Registry.

What does C-IAYT mean and who can hold this designation?

C-IAYT is an International Association of Yoga Therapy Certified Yoga Therapist. It means over 850 hours of training compared with the standard 200-hour yoga programs, 100+ hours of supervision, and are required to complete Continuing Education credits every three years.

What makes an IATY Yoga Therapy Certification program distinct?

My Yoga Therapy Professional training program at DAYA Foundation was a two-year program with one year of Adaptive Yoga protocol (case studies, research, hands-on training working with hip/knee replacement, post/pre-operative modifications, MS, Parkinson’s, perinatal, disc issues, repetitive stress/joint issues), and one year focused on the application of yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, and Interpersonal Neurobiology for mental health (case studies, research, hands-on training with addiction, eating disorders, anxiety/depression).

Do you have a specialty or focus?

Most private clients and I work together long term on specific health issues. Since stress is a prime factor in health, the practices of self-acceptance, resilience, and self-awareness are strong themes. My success rates with clients diagnosed with frozen shoulder, generalized anxiety disorder, disordered eating patterns, and pelvic floor issues are the highest.

What are your protocols in a session?

Custom aftercare including documentation (audio, photo, video, and notes), designed using both Ayurveda and yoga philosophy, is given after each group or private session. For complex symptoms, I often request permission to speak with my client’s health care providers, or mental health professionals. My goal is to work seamlessly with the client’s care team. To stay within my scope of practice, I rely on my robust list of providers in various specialties, and make referrals often.

I don't live in Portland, can we still work together?

We can meet anywhere via video-conference or phone. Requirements: a webcam or computer with a built-in camera, a reliable, speedy connection.

Confidentiality Agreement

Fawn is committed to maintaining respectful relationships with all students. She recognizes that you may engage her support for matters that are personal and considered confidential. Information shared with Fawn during your lessons is considered confidential. You may give written permission for Fawn to speak to your doctor, physical therapist, or other health care provider. As a yoga therapist, Fawn does not work under HIPPA, yet she is willing to sign one for your other healthcare providers. This gives them permission to speak to Fawn. If you are working with Fawn, she will not identify you as a private client when you are taking public yoga classes. Fawn will also maintain your confidentiality in her communication with other students and practitioners in the community.