Yoga Psychology
A somatic mindfulness practice for mental health and emotional health
In a world that seems to be moving faster and faster, it is more important than ever to find moments to pause and to be mindful. Mindfulness means being presently aware in the here and now without judgment. Numerous studies show the positive effects of mindfulness on mental, emotional and physical well-being. As a mindfulness practice, Integrative Yoga Psychology offers a way of embodied, lively being.
What is Yoga Psychology?
When you look up the term "Yoga Psychology" you will find various search results and methods. The approach I have trained in for two years and work with is called Integrative Yoga Psychology.
Integrative Yoga Psychology is a somatic mindfulness practice and coaching method. It was developed by Pia and Martin Witthöft from the Institute for Integrative Yoga Psychology in Berlin.
Integrative Yoga Psychology is a somatic mindfulness practice and coaching method for mental health and emotional health.
Yoga and Psychology: Eastern wisdom meets Western science
Integrative Yoga Psychology combines the old (Eastern) teachings of Yoga and related areas (e. g. body-mind centering, embodiment, somatics, mindfulness) with the knowledge of the relatively young science of (Western) psychology. So it's like yoga meets psychology.
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Integrative Yoga Psychology can support you in crises or be a path of self-exploration, personal transformation and inner work.
The 6 core pillars of Integrative Yoga Psychology
While Integrative Yoga Psychology is versatile, there are 6 core pillars. They represent the heart of the mindfulness practice and coaching method. Each decision, conversation and relationship will be enriched by this new holistic way of being.
holistic approach: mind-heart-body connection
An elementary part of Integrative Yoga Psychology is the experience-oriented work with the entire being: the mind, the heart and the body. In today's world we spent most of our time in our head. However, each of the 3 levels of being has its own language and intelligence. Sensing and understanding the 3 levels of being is a deep journey.
MAP Sensing©
MAP Sensing© is an application-oriented mindfulness and coaching method. The MAP Sensing© acronym MAP stands for "Mitgefühl, Achtsamkeit, Pulsation" (in engl.: compassion, mindfulness, pulsation). With the method you can learn to attune your 3 levels of being: Giving your emotions (compassion), your mind (mindfulness) and your body (pulsation) equal attention, they become your inner voices, guiding you like an inner map.
embodiment
The practice of embodiment, i. e. the lively expression of your (new) self-awareness, is essential to Integrative Yoga Psychology. Embodiment empowers you in living your life from the inside out: It is like finding your inner compass and then attuning your life to it.
needs-oriented
Psychological crises or even illnesses often arise when we are unable to meet our basic needs. An essential part of Integrative Yoga Psychology therefore deals with our needs. It is about learning to consciously perceive them, accept them with compassion and communicate and represent them in harmony with your environment.
ressource-oriented
Why is it so challenging to refrain from old and hurtful patterns and beliefs? What is a way to find inner harmony and strength? In Integrative Yoga Psychology we approach these essential questions by working with a blockage and resource model. It helps you become mindful of the biographic inner parts that block you and the adult inner parts that resource you.
systemic & relational
A systemic attitude is at the core of Integrative Yoga Psychology. This means that we always look at yourself and your concerns in relation and interaction to your relational environment. This allows you to adopt different perspectives, recognize connections and strengthen your self-leadership. Thus, constructive solutions for your new thinking, deciding and doing can emerge.
Who is Integrative Yoga Psychology suitable for?
A yogapsychological coaching is aimed at healthy people who want to achieve their personal goals/well-being more holistically and easily with professional coaching. However, a yogapsychological coaching can also complement other therapeutic processes for people with psychological or physical illnesses.
