Heather Ford C-IAYT, RYT-500, Reiki Level I/II, MFA, (she/her) has been teaching yoga since 2008. Extensive training and experience allows her to work safely and therapeutically with a wide range of clients with a variety of personal goals and conditions.
With a collaborative approach, Heather guides individuals towards greater health and wellness through mindful movement and restorative postures designed to strengthen the body, increase flexibility, optimize the immune system and soothe the nervous systems. Yoga cultivates opportunity to reframe one’s relationship to internal and external conditions and to experience the mind and body anew. She designs and leads yoga classes to meets the needs of her students and develop their skills in a way that will serve them long after the actual class experience.
Individuals consistently experience improved wellness from a regular, tailored yoga practice. Heather has worked with individuals presenting conditions that include: Recovery, pain, PTS, stress, anxiety, depression, arthritis, stroke, cancer, pre and post-op, limited physical mobility, asthma, emphysema, nerve damage, obesity, trigeminal neuralgia (entangled nerves), post polio syndrome and knee replacements.
What is Yoga therapy?
Yoga Therapy is the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the application of the teachings and practices of yoga (International Association of Yoga Therapy). A Yoga Therapy session begins with a confidential, 30-minute intake; reviewing your health history, lifestyle and goals.
offerings
Mindfulness and stress reduction
Applying techniques that involve movement, breath awareness, focusing and yogic philosophy, leading one towards quieting the mind and rejuvenating the body.
HATHA YOGA
Increase strength and flexibility for any body. Experience a mindful sequence of comfortable steady postures that can allow you to access the nuances of the body & mind in order to increase self-awareness and optimize health. No experience is required.
RESTORATIVE YOGA
This therapeutic, healing approach is a floor (chair or bed) based practice that uses props and blankets, fully supporting the body in each posture. Postures are usually held 3-5 minutes, either in stillness or incorporating mindful dynamic movements. This practice is deeply nourishing for the mind and the body.
GENTLE/CHAIR YOGA
Therapeutic by nature, Gentle Chair Yoga addresses the mind and body from a supported seated position. Sequences can also combine sitting and standing while using the chair as a prop. Ideal for office environments or those with injury or physical limitations.
Accessible Yoga
Working with individuals and communities who might not believe that they have access to the practice of yoga due to physical limitations, health conditions or who are experiencing exclusion. Accessible yoga is about adapting yoga to meet the needs of the individual right where there are, regardless of body shape, size or ability.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra literally means "Yogic Sleep” and is a state of consciousness where the body is asleep but the mind remains awake and aware. In this conscious state of deeply relaxed awareness the “witness” emerges and we experience the true Self. This state allows us to access our own self-healing process and connect with our higher truth, also know in ancient texts as Sankalpa. Yoga Nidra is a deeply nourishing practice for all.
Sound BAth
Sound vibrations are both heard and felt and have physiological effects on our being. Our bodies are densely packed fields of energy. Sound vibration can support us in recalibrating our own vibrational frequency. Stress hormones can depress every aspect of the immune system and sound bathing can break stress cycles in a safe, relaxing and noninvasive way. Sound bathing is a means to support overall health and wellbeing. With regular sound experiences one can lower heart rate and blood pressure, relax brain wave patterns, reduce respiratory rates and boost natural opiates in the physical body. Sound vibrations can be incorporated onto any session.
aromatherapy
My aroma therapy blends are made with Pranorām Essential Oils. Pranorām creates high-quality, pharmaceutical grade, organic essential oils, which I blend with an organic jojoba carrier oil. What is an essential oil?
Plants produce natural oils called “essential oils” that have appealing aromas. These essential oils also have strong anti-microbial properties made by the plant’s immune system to ward off pests, bacteria and viruses. The same oils that protect the plant can also be used to make our bodies healthier -Veriditas.
In practice: A scent has no personal significance until it becomes connected to something that has meaning. Scent molecules have direct access to the brain’s limbic system, which is the centre of our memories and emotions. When scent is coupled with a state of deep relaxation we have paired it to an experience and that pairing creates and stores a link within the limbic system. When we smell that same scent again, we can instantly evoke that state of relaxation. Aromatherapy can be incorporated onto any session.
reiki
The word “Reiki” is a combination of two Japanese words: “rei,” which means “higher wisdom or power,” and “ki,” which means “life force energy.” Reiki is an ancient healing method that manipulates energy flow in the body and releases energy flows and allows the body's own natural healing ability. Through gentle touch, or placement of the hands just above the body, Reiki energy is guided in a way that promotes balance and healing. Reiki can be incorporated into any personalized program. More than one session is recommended.
Design your program
PRIVATE SESSIONS
A guided practice designed for individual needs: together, we will tailor a plan that supports your aspirations and increases strength and flexibility of the body and mind.
Initial intake
Centering / warm-up
Pranayama / breathing practices
Asanas / steady comfortable posture
Yoga Nidra / Deep relaxation
Meditation
Sound bath
Reiki
SEMI PRIVATE SESSIONS
Build community, share costs and learn from one another while deepening your practice | limited to 2-4 students.
group SESSIONS
Sharing a practice with others fosters community, which is key to human wellbeing. Often a multi-level class is a way to address the needs and goals of a group in support their intentions or program.
Yoga At Work
Through individual or group sessions, or a combination of both, we’ll devise a plan to support you and your team through a customized program in order to develop skills and techniques that will serve everyone. Yoga in the workplace is a great opportunity to reframe our relationship to stress, increase wellness, and boost one's sense of purpose at work. Studies show that the bi-product of incorporating yoga into the workplace often results in increased productivity.
Rates For PRivate Sessions (sliding scale)
Initial Yoga Therapy 1x intake session – 90 minutes.......$175-$200
Single Session – 75 minutes.......$175-$200
5 Session Package - 75 minutes.......$750-$900
Travel fees vary depending on location within and outside of San Francisco area | Reduced rates are available for anyone experiencing financial challenges.
Cancelation Policy:
Should you need to change or cancel your scheduled appointment, please provide 24 hours or more advance notice and no charge will apply. Cancellations less than 24 hours notice will be charged the full price of the scheduled session.
If I should have to cancel less than 24 hours I will reschedule at the earliest, mutually convenient, date and time.
*Yoga is complementary to, not a replacement for, medical care.
*A doctor release form is required by all clients under the care of a physician, undergoing medical treatment or experiencing a chronic condition.
“What’s the difference between a Yogi and a non-Yogi?
A non-Yogi thinks there’s a difference.”