I have always been passionate about my work as a physical therapist and yoga therapist—especially when a client would say, “Thank you for helping me.” I’ve long been drawn to supporting individuals with a wide range of pain conditions, including amputees experiencing phantom pain, fibromyalgia, acute and chronic sports injuries, neck and back pain, myofascial pain following breast reconstruction, and headaches.

Over the years, I enhanced my skills as a manual therapist while integrating complementary approaches such as myofascial release therapy, craniosacral therapy, yoga therapy, ayurveda, and somatic movement. During the pandemic, I continued to deepen my studies, evolving from a yoga teacher to becoming a yoga therapist and ayurveda yoga teacher in 2023, and earning my C-IAYT certification.

Prior to becoming a yoga therapist, I began to feel increasing stress from operating my practice within the constraints of managed care—particularly time limitations for patient treatment and reduced reimbursement rates—despite offering wellness classes. I recognized that this stress was affecting my health, and I made the difficult decision to sell my physical therapy practice. It became essential for me to redefine how I could live a healthier lifestyle while continuing to apply my therapeutic tools to my own well-being.

As my studies progressed, I grew curious about how the holistic biopsychosocial model of health could be integrated with the 5 Kosha Model from yoga therapy to support my own healing from systemic inflammation, as well as my recovery from two total knee replacements. This approach addresses health across all levels of being—the physical, energetic, mental/emotional, wisdom, and spiritual (bliss) bodies. It emphasizes empowering individuals in their healing process, rather than focusing solely on symptom treatment—a shift from a pathogenic to a salutogenic paradigm (Sullivan, Understanding Yoga Therapy, 2020).

Today, I continue to live and practice this holistic model. My daily routine includes meditation, mindfulness, ayurvedic self-care, a healthy diet, and a consistent therapeutic yoga practice—both on and off the mat—along with somatic movement. I also enjoy teaching a weekly therapeutic yoga class on Zoom, working part-time with clients in their homes, as well as traveling, hiking, practicing qigong, and spending quality time with my family.

The goal is to enhance one’s “inner awareness” to live a healthier lifestyle and to reduce pain, improve mobility, stability, strength, and function on and off the yoga mat.

In today’s presentation, I look forward to sharing the tools of how Healing Therapy Yoga^© integrates with the 5 Kosha Model to help you in your own practice and well-being.

Learn more about Meryle at choosept.com and International Association of Yoga Therapists.