The Healing Power of Yoga and Counselling: A Holistic Approach

How the combination of yoga and counselling can provide a comprehensive and effective approach to mental wellbeing.

Counselling – Why it can be effective

Evidence-based counselling is sought out by many during times of challenge or transition, simply because, for most, it works.  It provides a safe, third party with expert knowledge who can listen, ask the right questions and provide support.

On a more personal note, counselling can allow clients to let go of something that is troubling them, giving them the opportunity to create ‘space’ in their mind to feel unburdened by their struggle which can free up capacity to problem solve.  It also allows for them to look at their situation with more perspective as they can view it outside themselves rather than as an emotionally-charged situation of which they feel they are a part of.  This, in turn, can allow for a wiser approach to their problem situation. 

How counselling works

Counsellors are trained to understanding mental distress and work through issues in collaborative relationship with their  clients using a variety of approaches and techniques.  These should be chosen intelligently, based on the client’s presentation in order to assist them effectively in reaching their goals for therapy.

There is something so healing when you truly feel ‘heard’ for the first time.  When you can lay down your most precious concerns with someone and they hear you with empathy and understanding.  In our busy lives, we often don’t feel there is a person or place for us to do that.  And secondly, we want the person receiving the information to be able to assist us with our best interests at heart; a good counsellor, can offer this.

How yoga works

The goal of yoga is to still the fluctuations of the mind.  This is important because the less disturbance there is in the mind, the more peace we feel and therefore, the less we struggle through problem situations that can have negative effects on our health, physically and mentally.  There are 8 limbs of yoga.  The one we typically hear about most is asana, the physical poses.  But morals, the right way of living, stillness, meditation and enlightenment are also a part of this journey.

Commercially, asana, physical poses, have been somewhat misrepresented by mainstream marketing and western culture which emphasises physical appearance and particular body shapes and sizes as the goal of the practice.  This can feel narrow and exclusive and is not a true representation of the goal or the benefits of yoga.

So what is the intention then?  The intention of asana is based on the premise that tension in the body leads to tension in the mind and vice versa.  Therefore, if we can reduce the tension in our mind or body or both, we can feel better.

Asana is about moving the body in a steady and stable way, in synchronisation with a steady and smooth breath.  This synchronicity can move the nervous system out of a state of stress, allowing us to relax more, despite our struggles.  Asana also allows us to get in touch with how our body truly feels.  It gives us the power to move our body in ways that feel supportive to us.  Some postures allow us to physically surrender, this can help us surrender mentally and let go of tension and problems that seem unsolvable.  Some poses make us feel strong and grounded and from this place we can feel empowered to take positive and wise action in our lives.  The breath allows us to regulate our nervous system, reducing arousal, nervous tension and stress which allows us to settle.  Therefore, asana acts as a bridge between the physical and emotional world, and in this way it is a powerful addition to a traditional counselling session.

The intention of pairing yoga with counselling

Learning simple and effective techniques to master your nervous system is empowering.  It can give you back a sense of control and autonomy over your internal state which allows you to move through life’s situations with more ease, peace, wisdom and perspective.

The goal of counselling should not be for client’s to feel stuck in counselling forever and therefore, providing clients with tools that work for them to manage their lives is essential.  Whilst it is neither shameful or the case that client’s don’t utilise therapy for the duration of their lives, dependence solely on a counsellor is not the goal.  Feeling confident and steady in one’s own self is far more desirable.  In addition client’s need to be able to give themselves headspace to think for themselves, to get in touch with themselves and make the best decisions they can and to move through difficulty without it burdening them more than it needs to.

That is the goal.

Summary

• Talk therapy on it’s own allows clients to unburden themselves

• Talk therapy allows clients to see their problem from another perspective and puts more ‘space between them and their problem situation’

• Talk therapy allows you to speak with a third-party, confidentially

• Talk therapy allows you to speak with an expert who has a toolbox of approaches to working with you

• Talk therapy allows you to speak with someone who has encountered people in similar situations (likely)

• Yoga gives clients the power to still the fluctuations of their minds

• Yoga provides a physical bridge between how we feel physically and mentally

• Yoga empowers clients by providing them with tools to calm their nervous system which allows them to move into a place of greater wisdom and peace

Reach out if you’d like to know more about this holistic approach to therapy please reach out for more information for a free 15-minute consult call.

Author bio

Melanie Rothman is a counsellor, meditation, yoga and yoga nidra teacher.  She considers herself a lifelong learner.  The goal of her practice is to support clients to achieve their goals for therapy. Master of Counselling, Grad Dip Education, Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science)

Disclaimer:  The content contained in this blog post is not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment or advice and should not be taken as such.  If you are experiencing mental distress, please contact a medical professional for advice and treatment.