In occupational therapy, the first practice model we learnt (CMOP-E) comprises the 3 key parts of OT: Person, Environment, & Occupation. In this context, occupation is all the activities we do daily, for self-care, productivity, or leisure. OTs help people by teaching new skills, adapting the environment, or modifying valued activities, all to enable people to be as independent as possible in their daily lives. Guess what is at the centre of the model as the core component of the person – Spirituality! – which refers to the essence of the person and the meaning that people attribute to what they do, which drives their motivation. We learnt that engaging in meaningful and purposeful activities in life was essential for overall good health and well-being. It made me think about what activity I was doing that met these criteria – and yoga was the first thing that came to mind. Yoga is meaningful to me as I experience a sense of strength, balance, and calm when I do yoga, which motivates me to continue attending weekly classes to not only feel this calming sensation, but also develop my yoga practice.
During the 200hr Yoga TTC, we learnt that Asanas (poses) and Pranayama (breaths) are tools and techniques used for the outcome of Yoga (union). In yoga, there is a holistic view of the person, in terms of mind, body and spirit, all of which – in union – contribute to overall good health and well-being. There are similarities between yoga practices and therapeutic interventions we learn, especially for mental health. For example, we use the Inhale 4: Hold 2: Exhale 6 second breathing technique for anxiety, joint warm ups and stretches to maintain physical function, and relaxation sessions which include progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness/meditation. The holistic view of the person is also a core part of OT practice and I feel I have a better appreciation of this now, after more in-depth learning about breathing techniques, postures, and meditation in yoga practice.
– Ari (200hr YTTC, 2018)
