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What is Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy?

Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy is based on the philosophy that your body is a wise teacher; everything you need to know to support and guide you through your life is available in your body. Your body has been present with you through your entire life and has expressed, filtered and processed all your life experiences. Our bodies hold memories and emotions, just like our brains, and therefore chronic pain and stress can be the result of blocked or unresolved emotions stored in your body. Clients often discover that patterns of habitual physical and/or emotional tension are linked to ways of thinking and being in daily life. In a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy session, your skilled practitioner uses body-centered psychotherapy to support you in becoming aware of the relationship between what you experience in your body and how you live your life. Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy does this through a process of assisted yoga postures in combination with non-prescriptive talk therapy. Think of it as an opportunity to step out of your day to day life, and get some awareness around what's happening, so you can step back into your life with greater clarity.

What happens in a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Session?

The process will begin with a phone call to make sure Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy is a good fit for you. Before coming to your first session you will fill out some intake forms to tell me a little bit more about yourself and what you hope to get out of receiving a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy session. At your first appointment we will go through your client history forms so I can learn more about what brings you to a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy session.

The one-on-one hour and a half session takes place on a large mat on the floor wearing loose comfortable clothing. We begin the Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy session with centering to move from the busy activity of your daily life and its external demands to a more inward focus. During centering you will tune into and bring greater awareness to your breath, body, thoughts, emotions and current life circumstances. From there you will set an intention of how the session could best serve you, of what you hope to receive.

Then we move into the one-on-one assisted yoga postures with dialogue. I will ask you questions like, "What's happening now?" This gives you the opportunity to talk about physical sensations, thoughts, feelings, memories and generally to report out loud what you become aware of. This dialogue with assisted yoga postures can help you to explore the connection between what's happening in your body and what's happening in your life. This self-reflective process will help you access the innate wisdom of your body for deeper understanding and personal growth.

Sessions finish with an integration where you will reflect back on the session and notice what stood out about your experience. From there you will explore the connection between what you became aware of and the rest of your life. Through a process of guided meditation you will access your inner wisdom for guidance and create some intention around how you will put that guidance into action in your life.

What will I get out of my Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy experience?

stress relief
emotional release followed by greater emotional stability
enhanced mental clarity, a sense of empowerment, and greater self-esteem
clearer focus and sense of perspective
greater body awareness and feeling good in one's body
physical relief from chronic aches and pains
easier deeper breathing
ability to identify, work with, and release fears
less restricted by self-imposed limitations
deeper and stronger connection with one's spiritual essence
greater trust in one's self
awareness, personal growth and transformation

...but I think my client's say it best:

Testimonials

Melissa, when I said I was seeking awareness at my Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy session, I wasn't prepared for just how much awareness I received. Thank you, for the safety, the security and the nurturing. My eyes are wide open now. Stephanie Nemeth Moore, Reiki Master

Yesterday I had my first Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy session and I really didn’t know what to expect. First I would like to thank you Melissa, not only for the treatment but for explaining the therapy in detail and therefore creating such a safe environment and putting me at ease. I completely put my trust in you and felt that you were being there in the moment for me. I am still with all the visions, insights and energetic sensations and I am still so relaxed and without pain. I have been checking in regularly with myself and know that this is so and I feel like a new person. Last night was the first night in weeks I had such a beautiful sleep and without waking up in pain. I found it totally amazing and look forward to another session. My only disappointment was that it was over so fast…it seemed like the journey had lasted only a few minutes…but it was a beautiful journey. Thank you again. Blessings, Vivienne

Following a traumatic life changing accident, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy has been a valuable part of my recovery process. Melissa's expertise and intuitive nature has provided me with a safe place to explore the many layers of healing. I always leave a session feeling reconnected, with a deeper understanding of what I'm going through and a clearer vision of the path ahead. Karen Waite, dental hygienist.

My Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy session with Melissa was far more then I could have ever expected. Melissa created a comfortable, caring environment in which I felt safe to follow the process and listen to my body. She led me through a series of postures, focusing on the connection between my physical and emotional bodies, while guiding me to look within to see this connection more clearly. I not only left the session with a greater awareness and a new trust in myself and the wisdom of my own body, but also with the tools to help me use this knowledge in my everyday life. Sandy Cardinal, nutritionist

A session of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy with Melissa will not only open and create space in your physical body but with the added layer of Melissa's gentle, compassionate dialogue, open your emotional body as well. You will leave with a deep sense of peace and well-being, breathing much easier after releasing pent up tension and holding patterns. It truly makes you aware of how your body speaks your mind. Terri Clinton, yoga and fitness instructor

Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy was a positive experience for me. Through assisted yoga postures, my teacher asked me about my bodily sensations. While in these poses, she was able to help trigger hidden negative emotions and behavioural patterns. the practice of PRYT allowed me to release these emotions. I knew I had been living negative patterns, such as, worry, anxiety, fear, and insecurity, but was unaware as to why this was. PRYT allowed me "think back" to some past negative childhood memories from which I had developed into behavioural patterns that were not allowing me to be who I wanted to be, happy and confident. Thanks to PRYT I was able to understand why I acted insecure in some situations and worried daily. After having some negative emotions triggered and then released, it all made sense and I could move forward into being the person I wanted to be; confident and happy. Gillian Small mother of twin boys

I must admit I did not know what to expect from a Phoenix Rising Yoga therapy session. The session was similar to assisted yoga, with Melissa asking me questions about how I felt as we worked through the poses. Although I do not have major issues to work through I certainly have my share of smaller ones that I often feel will just always be there because I do not see a way to overcome them. Through the Phoenix Rising Yoga session I came to deeply understand one of my issues, the reason why I needed to find a better way to live and most importantly the way to overcome it. I had this session 6 months ago and I am still using the lessons I learned. Thank you Melissa! Laura Da Re, accountant

Dear Melissa,

Thank you so much for introducing me to Phonenix Rising Yoga Therapy! After having a traumatic accident earlier this year you were quick to recognize that although I could heal physically I was going to need help with the emotional side of healing. I knew I was carrying alot of anger that would inhibit healing completely so I came to you for therapy. After a couple sessions with you I was able to let go of the negative feelings I was harboring and find with my own inner strength. It was this strength that would see me through the recovery process. I left my sessions feeling much stronger, more confident and looking forward to new beginnings. I couldn't have done it without your help. Thank you for showing me the way to the inner peace and joy within me. Namaste, Deb, salesperson

I have found my Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy sessions to be very beneficial and would highly recommend this type of mind/body therapy. I have found my Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy sessions to be very beneficial and would highly recommend this type of mind/body therapy. Melissa provides a safe and comfortable environment, and works within your own physical and mental boundaries to explore and talk about issues that you are dealing with. By the end of a session I always feel more at peace and have a clearer mind. Joanne Gardner, RMT

My experience with phoenix rising yoga therapy has been very insightful. If our mind and body are connected then this makes so much sense to me to be able to connect with the body through yoga poses and as well allow the wisdom from within to speak out it's truth. Melissa (the therapist) allows for this gift of presence as she (they) witnesses the process. I am amazed and grateful for the insights that I have received through this therapy. It is truly magical! Nienke Young, yoga teacher

The Phoenix Rising Yoga session that I had with Melissa was fascinating. It helped me to understand how certain events in my life were affecting my body. Melissa guided me though the issues that were bothering me, and successfully assisted me in understanding the connection between emotional events in my life, and the physical aches that I had been experiencing. With her expertise, I was able to come away with positive feelings on an emotional and physical level. She also provided me with the tools and little reminders on how to keep issues at bay on a day to day level. Sarah Milligan

Melissa offers a fun, fabulous and supportive enviornment to relax and reconnect your body, mind and spirit. Her strong supportive touch offers a great way to release tension and reconnect the body. Carrie Wood, Alexander Technique Therapist

I've known Melissa West for several years, so when she told me about Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy and that she was training to be a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist, I didn't hesitate to jump at the opportunity to do a session with her. It was amazing! At the end of the session I felt less stressed and more at peace with myself, and the mantra I was given continues to help me through those tough moments. I can't wait to do another session with her! Joanne Peterson, dental hygienist

Meditation meets talking through problems... Yoga therapy gave me a chance to slow down, to be contemplative and integrate somatic and emotional feelings of all types and sizes. I was in charge of the session, but received gentle guidance in my personal explorations in order to maximize the experience. Liz Daniel, speech pathologist

I came to the session not knowing what to expect. The body work combined with the mind work brought out many emotions for me. Memories of the past, challenges of the present and thoughts for the future all emerged. The session ended with a calming of my body and spirit. Overall this was a wonderful therapeutic experience created peace and calm in my being. Laurie Clune, professor of nursing

My phoenix rising yoga therapy sessions have allowed me to explore my thoughts and emotions and their connection and affects on my physical body. Even though I was already aware of the mind-body interaction through my yoga and meditation practice, I was astounded by the depth of this connection following my yoga therapy session. After just one session, I noticed a significant change in the flexibility in my body and those changes seem permanent. Melissa's intuitive use of both the verbal prompts and physical poses of yoga therapy supported me in exploring my emotions and inner wisdom at my own pace. While these emotions/issues were often quite painful to explore, I liked how the wrap up at the end of the session served to contain that exploration so that I left feeling strong and balanced instead of vulnerable and raw. I will definitely be making space for yoga therapy in my life on a regular basis. Julie Sorhaitz, speech-language pathologist

my work with dr melissa west was deeply moving
dr west help me though passed historical road blocks that had kept me stuck since my childhood
very profound Annette Deschamps, RMT, Accupuncturist, Osteopath

I would love to tell you how thrilled I was to receive a phoenix rising therapy session from you. A you know, when I began my yoga with you several years ago I was suffering from sciatica which was very painful. That improved over time and only seems to flare its ugly head when I over do things. One thing I can always count on is that your yoga class always helps the situation. About 7 months ago I started having pain in my right hip. It seemed to be there most of the time and it got to the point that I was just used to it. It was more discomfort, a rather dull ache that I just lived with. When I mentioned it, you suggested a Phoenix Rising Yoga therapy session. I decided it was worth a try. I set my intention for my session as getting rid of that pain. I can't tell you how thrilled I was when I realized that at the end of the session it appeared to be gone. I wondered how long it would last because I just assumed it would eventually return. I can tell you now that it has been several months since my treatment and I am still pain free in that hip. It is amazing to me that we just get used to some of the things that go wrong in our bodies. I feel very fortunate to have such a wonderful and talented instructor. I am truly blessed. Sharon Dorcas, children's services worker

I had never experienced a Phoenix Rising Therapy Session before, so I arrived not knowing exactly what to expect or perhaps what to take away from the experience. As Dr. West worked with me, I began to open up about certain feelings that had been bottled up, which had been causing me quite a lot of stress. As I expressed these emotions and felt her assistance into the yoga asanas, I became aware of how tight my body was. Perhaps this tightness and discomfort was due to the stress that I had been carrying with me. Perhaps my mind is more powerful than I thought. By the end of the session, I noticed that I did not like the sound of the things that I was articulating. The issues that I had been dealing with were not worth being in my mind and body. I found that this experience helped me realize that I have been doing more damage to my body that I have ever been aware of. I now believe in caring for my body a lot more. I now remind myself that certain issues are not worth concentrating mind power on; that my happiness and well being comes first. Gail Z. medical secretary

I would like to take this opportunity to speak about the recent Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy session I had with Dr. Melissa West. We both entered into our training together in Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy in the summer of 2009 and even then I had a sense that she was going to be a thorough, loving, and supportive practitioner. Since that time, I could sense that her focus and commitment to her practice developed so rapidly which allowed me to dive deeper into my own experiences during our session. All throughout our session I was able to let go of the resistance I was feeling within and I was able to tap into the deeper roots that I was looking to uncover. I felt totally supported and clear about my process during the session which was great for me.

If we hadn’t done our training together, I would have assumed that her PRYT practice goes a long way back. I do not hesitate to connect with Dr. West for future sessions as I feel that the level of support and care has risen beyond the point of facilitating a greater understanding for her clients. I also would not hesitate to refer my clients over to her as well. Paul Gangadeen, yoga teacher, ayurvedic consultant

FAQ

Do I have to have experience with yoga?

Absolutely not! The experience will be tailored to meet your own specific needs.

How long does a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Session last?
Usually one to one and a half hours.

How much does it cost?

$95 for a 90 minute session.

What do I wear?
A Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Session is delivered with clothes on. Wear loose, comfortable clothes you can stretch in.

Do I need to bring anything?
No. Just yourself and a willingness to explore something new and different.

Will it hurt?
No! You will work within the limits of your own tolerance for discomfort. Your practitioner will help you do that safely and without pain