This presentation shares therapeutic yoga practices used within the HABIT® (Healthy Action to Benefit Independence & Thinking®) program at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale to support individuals living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). As part of this active interdisciplinary clinical program, yoga therapy complements evidence-based lifestyle interventions that promote independence, confidence, and quality of life. The classes are informed by neuroscience, neuroplasticity, behavior change, healthy aging, and the growing evidence supporting yoga for cognitive health. Practices include gentle movement, breath regulation, balance training, mindful attention, and relaxation. Ongoing refinement through clinical experience and participant feedback has highlighted the importance of balancing therapeutic benefit with cognitive simplicity. The presentation includes a sample class and practical insights that may be adapted for healthcare, community, and private practice settings.
Th question is: do you have an area of your life where you would appreciate more strength + balance? If the answer is yes, Yoga Therapy could be for you.
Join me or this 6 week journey to restore your weary soul and bring your inner light to life again. You will enjoy a few short videos each week with encouragement and guidance from my year of experience working with myself and others through times of depletion and reset. You will also receive a few guided meditations and mindfulness practices to help you along the way. Are you ready for your restoration?
Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one, pet, job, or relationship, this workshop has something for you. We will explore the 5 stages of grief and offer practical strategies for coping with grief of all kinds. This workshop is offered online, and can be scheduled individually on request. Link in bio.
Yoga Therapy can support you no matter what’s going on in your life. PTSD, physical recovery from illness or injury, balancing moods, cancer care, stress relief, Ayurvedic lifestyle coaching, and more. I focus on bringing strength + balance for mind + body. Offered in-person or online via Zoom.
Weekly Show: Iridescent Dragonflies
Strength + Balance for Mind + Body
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Basics
Mixed Level Yoga Classes
Healthy Body Healthy Mind
A 6-Hour Continuing Education Course for Yoga Professionals
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) affects memory and other cognitive abilities, but it does not define a person’s capacity to learn, participate, or benefit from yoga. With appropriate adaptations, yoga may offer meaningful support for movement, balance, attention, stress management, and overall well-being.
This six-hour continuing education course provides yoga professionals with a foundation for understanding MCI and applying that knowledge in teaching settings. Participants will explore what MCI is, how it differs from typical age-related cognitive changes and dementia, and what current understanding of yoga and cognitive health suggests about its potential benefits.
The course moves from understanding to application. Participants will learn practical teaching techniques and adaptations to support students experiencing cognitive changes, including approaches to movement, balance, breathing, mindful attention, relaxation, verbal instruction, sequencing, and class structure. Emphasis is placed on creating a supportive, accessible environment that respects individual abilities while promoting confidence, participation, and autonomy.
The course also addresses important contraindications, precautions, and teaching considerations, including safety, balance and fall risk, communication, sensory and cognitive demands, individual variability, and recognizing when a practice may need to be modified or discontinued. Participants will consider how to respond thoughtfully to students’ needs while working within the scope of yoga teaching and referring to appropriate healthcare professionals when indicated.
By the end of the course, participants will have a stronger understanding of MCI, practical tools for adapting yoga instruction, and a clearer framework for making informed teaching decisions when working with this population.
Who should attend: Yoga teachers, yoga therapists, and other movement or wellness professionals interested in supporting people living with MCI.
Course length: 6 hours of continuing education.
Upcoming Training Dates:
December 12
December 17
January 9
January 14