I have completed an 820-hour program in Comprehensive Yoga Therapy at the YogaLife Institute in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania under Dr. Bob Butera which, with my 200-hour teacher training, has provided me over 1,000 hours total training. Certified through the International Association of Yoga Therapists, I have over 400 hours working with yoga therapy clients. What is Yoga Therapy? Yoga therapy is the professional application of the principles and practices of yoga to promote health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship that includes personalized assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management, and yoga practices for individuals or small groups. - IAYT Meeting: Sessions can be face-to-face or virtual using Zoom, Facetime, or Google Duo. |
 A client recovering from a motorcycle accident.
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Working one-on-one yields big benefits:
* full instructor attention increases safety
* personalized to meet you where you’re presently at & tailored to your goals
* instant feedback for instant modification
* 2-way dialog addresses questions & concerns
* Click HERE to read about the benefits of yoga therapy sessions experienced by my client Beverly.
What to expect from a yoga therapy session?
After an initial consultation and in light of on-going feedback & dialog, yoga therapy sessions are customized and modified to meet the specific & evolving needs and goals of the client - physically, emotionally, and energetically. We work together to explore past habitual patterns of behavior and the underlying root causes that are contributing to dis-ease or a lack of wellness. Because the sessions are entirely individualized, and often modified on the fly as a session unfolds, these one-on-one sessions are significantly more expensive than group classes. The reasons why many individuals nonetheless choose therapy sessions are as varied as the individuals themselves. So I'll start with one personal anecdote that is the reason I have such a strong desire to offer yoga therapy.
A former colleague retired and started to come to one of my yoga group classes. In this "all-levels" class I aim for intermediate-level but give detailed instructions leading into and out of every pose and build from the ground up from first an easier, modified level and then offer modifications to "dial up" the challenge if participants wish and are ready for it. I was sad to see my colleague struggled tremendously with not only the easier level of postures, but even to get down to the mat and up. We spoke after class, and I reiterated the importance of not pushing beyond her ability and also went over some alternate postures for those for which even the dialed-down version might present too great a challenge and even some risk for her at this time. I even encouraged her to find a chair-yoga class, which I did not at the time offer, so that -- even though I would miss her -- it would be safer and likely also more enjoyable for her. To my surprise, she continued to come to my class even though she did opt out of many poses, saying she really enjoyed the atmosphere and sense of community.
Then she said something I will never forget and that, frankly, broke my heart. She said, "I couldn't wait to retire to have the time to do all the things I wanted to do. Then when I did retire, I found out I couldn't move well enough to do them." Wow. I knew right then and there that that had to change -- for her and for the many others like her. In response, I began offering one-on-one individualized yoga therapy sessions.
I have experience working with individuals with:
* stiffness & weakness due to a sedentary career
* stiffness & weakness after hip & knee replacement
* stiffness & weakness following accidents
* depression & anxiety and panic disorder
* type A personality & high job stress
* sleep apnea & hypertension
* back pain
* frozen shoulder
* recurring severe headaches & migraines
* mild stroke
* weakness & low energy following cancer remission
* low-self confidence & self esteem
* changing sense of identity, self-esteem & energy following gastric bypass
* grief following loss of a loved-one
* arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid & psoriatic),
* fibromyalgia, COPD, multiple sclerosis, and more...
And many studies (see article & links therein) have concluded that yoga can yield improvements in numerous other conditions and/or their symptoms as well including, but not limited to, back pain, insomnia, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and other heart disease, digestive diseases, side effects of cancer treatment, Alzheimer's, addiction, PTSD, eating disorders, autism, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, sciatica, and others. And physicians and other healthcare providers are now beginning to recognize this and even prescribe yoga to their patients (see article #1 or #2).
One-on-one sessions with an IAYT certified yoga therapist can be of benefit for (1) individuals who have difficulty doing yoga group classes - due perhaps to stiffness or limited range of motion and mobility or weakness due to age, weight, a long-term sedentary lifestyle, or recovery from major illness or for (2) individuals who avoid group classes because they are self-conscious, have self-esteem and confidence issues, are shy, or have had prior unpleasant experiences with moving their body, or for (3) individuals who wrestle with stress and anxiety. Private yoga is by no means a substitute for traditional medical care, physical therapy, chiropractic care, or counseling by the appropriate trained and licensed personnel. But it can be a helpful supplement or follow-up to such care to help get you back on the path to living life with physical and emotional vigor. I encourage you to ask your doctor or therapist their thoughts regarding the suitability of yoga and/or meditation for you.
Testimonials:
"Sharon Kanfoush is a gifted teacher, and all of her strengths are evident in her role as a yoga instructor. She has a particular talent for seeking to discover where her students are and where they want to be. She seeks to help students find their own path and she guides them gently in the direction they want to take. Sharon is exceedingly patient. She is at once humble and confident. Her suggestions are consistently thoughtful and crafted to the student. She makes frequent references to her training and to her own practice, establishing empathy throughout the lesson." (a 65-year old client who had led a sedentary lifestyle)
“Stress was a big problem for me and was affecting my health in a negative way. My doctor recommended yoga and meditation. I always said I couldn't meditate, but after my first session with Sharon at Sharon Kanfoush Wellness, I was a believer. I'm handling stress better, sleeping better and feeling better overall. I highly recommend giving her classes a try." (a client with an anxiety disorder)
"I have given up sugar entirely since our last session. I think it may have been in response to the increased body awareness I have learned through our sessions, because I have just started to become really aware of how awful eating sugar makes me feel - achy, sluggish, depressed, and not able to think clearly. In less than a week, I am feeling better physically and mentally!" (a client who has had a lifelong struggle with obesity)
Arrange a Session:
A free 20-minute face-to-face initial consultation, and 60-minute paid sessions, can be arranged by contacting me through the contact page within this website, by email at [email protected], or by text or phone at (315) 982-7144.
Contact me at (315) 982-7144 or [email protected] to schedule a private virtual yoga therapy session.
Invest in Your Wellness:
An investment of 5 or 10 sessions will equip you with the skills and confidence to continue on your own, with single follow-up sessions available at a discount as needed.
* full instructor attention increases safety
* personalized to meet you where you’re presently at & tailored to your goals
* instant feedback for instant modification
* 2-way dialog addresses questions & concerns
* Click HERE to read about the benefits of yoga therapy sessions experienced by my client Beverly.
What to expect from a yoga therapy session?
After an initial consultation and in light of on-going feedback & dialog, yoga therapy sessions are customized and modified to meet the specific & evolving needs and goals of the client - physically, emotionally, and energetically. We work together to explore past habitual patterns of behavior and the underlying root causes that are contributing to dis-ease or a lack of wellness. Because the sessions are entirely individualized, and often modified on the fly as a session unfolds, these one-on-one sessions are significantly more expensive than group classes. The reasons why many individuals nonetheless choose therapy sessions are as varied as the individuals themselves. So I'll start with one personal anecdote that is the reason I have such a strong desire to offer yoga therapy.
A former colleague retired and started to come to one of my yoga group classes. In this "all-levels" class I aim for intermediate-level but give detailed instructions leading into and out of every pose and build from the ground up from first an easier, modified level and then offer modifications to "dial up" the challenge if participants wish and are ready for it. I was sad to see my colleague struggled tremendously with not only the easier level of postures, but even to get down to the mat and up. We spoke after class, and I reiterated the importance of not pushing beyond her ability and also went over some alternate postures for those for which even the dialed-down version might present too great a challenge and even some risk for her at this time. I even encouraged her to find a chair-yoga class, which I did not at the time offer, so that -- even though I would miss her -- it would be safer and likely also more enjoyable for her. To my surprise, she continued to come to my class even though she did opt out of many poses, saying she really enjoyed the atmosphere and sense of community.
Then she said something I will never forget and that, frankly, broke my heart. She said, "I couldn't wait to retire to have the time to do all the things I wanted to do. Then when I did retire, I found out I couldn't move well enough to do them." Wow. I knew right then and there that that had to change -- for her and for the many others like her. In response, I began offering one-on-one individualized yoga therapy sessions.
I have experience working with individuals with:
* stiffness & weakness due to a sedentary career
* stiffness & weakness after hip & knee replacement
* stiffness & weakness following accidents
* depression & anxiety and panic disorder
* type A personality & high job stress
* sleep apnea & hypertension
* back pain
* frozen shoulder
* recurring severe headaches & migraines
* mild stroke
* weakness & low energy following cancer remission
* low-self confidence & self esteem
* changing sense of identity, self-esteem & energy following gastric bypass
* grief following loss of a loved-one
* arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid & psoriatic),
* fibromyalgia, COPD, multiple sclerosis, and more...
And many studies (see article & links therein) have concluded that yoga can yield improvements in numerous other conditions and/or their symptoms as well including, but not limited to, back pain, insomnia, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and other heart disease, digestive diseases, side effects of cancer treatment, Alzheimer's, addiction, PTSD, eating disorders, autism, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, sciatica, and others. And physicians and other healthcare providers are now beginning to recognize this and even prescribe yoga to their patients (see article #1 or #2).
One-on-one sessions with an IAYT certified yoga therapist can be of benefit for (1) individuals who have difficulty doing yoga group classes - due perhaps to stiffness or limited range of motion and mobility or weakness due to age, weight, a long-term sedentary lifestyle, or recovery from major illness or for (2) individuals who avoid group classes because they are self-conscious, have self-esteem and confidence issues, are shy, or have had prior unpleasant experiences with moving their body, or for (3) individuals who wrestle with stress and anxiety. Private yoga is by no means a substitute for traditional medical care, physical therapy, chiropractic care, or counseling by the appropriate trained and licensed personnel. But it can be a helpful supplement or follow-up to such care to help get you back on the path to living life with physical and emotional vigor. I encourage you to ask your doctor or therapist their thoughts regarding the suitability of yoga and/or meditation for you.
Testimonials:
"Sharon Kanfoush is a gifted teacher, and all of her strengths are evident in her role as a yoga instructor. She has a particular talent for seeking to discover where her students are and where they want to be. She seeks to help students find their own path and she guides them gently in the direction they want to take. Sharon is exceedingly patient. She is at once humble and confident. Her suggestions are consistently thoughtful and crafted to the student. She makes frequent references to her training and to her own practice, establishing empathy throughout the lesson." (a 65-year old client who had led a sedentary lifestyle)
“Stress was a big problem for me and was affecting my health in a negative way. My doctor recommended yoga and meditation. I always said I couldn't meditate, but after my first session with Sharon at Sharon Kanfoush Wellness, I was a believer. I'm handling stress better, sleeping better and feeling better overall. I highly recommend giving her classes a try." (a client with an anxiety disorder)
"I have given up sugar entirely since our last session. I think it may have been in response to the increased body awareness I have learned through our sessions, because I have just started to become really aware of how awful eating sugar makes me feel - achy, sluggish, depressed, and not able to think clearly. In less than a week, I am feeling better physically and mentally!" (a client who has had a lifelong struggle with obesity)
Arrange a Session:
A free 20-minute face-to-face initial consultation, and 60-minute paid sessions, can be arranged by contacting me through the contact page within this website, by email at [email protected], or by text or phone at (315) 982-7144.
Contact me at (315) 982-7144 or [email protected] to schedule a private virtual yoga therapy session.
Invest in Your Wellness:
An investment of 5 or 10 sessions will equip you with the skills and confidence to continue on your own, with single follow-up sessions available at a discount as needed.
*10% Discount for Seniors, Students, Veterans & current studio members.
Would you like to help give the gift of health to a friend or loved one? Purchase a gift certificate!
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