YOGA THERAPY WITH ALEX
&
ALEX PHELAN YOGA
ABOUT ALEX
.jpg)
I am a Yoga Therapist certified by the International Association of Yoga Therapists and a E-RYT 500 certified yoga teacher by Yoga Alliance. I have been teaching yoga since 2009 and completed over 1,000 teaching hours. Exploring within the diverse traditions of yoga has been a profoundly transformative experience for me, and I aim to share my own sense of wonder and empowerment with each of my students and clients.
In 2017 I helped to create and launch the Circle Yoga 200-hr Teacher Training Program, which has grown to now include a Yoga Alliance certified 300-hr training and Teacher Mentor Program as well. With a dedication to community and inclusivity, these trainings seek to provide trainees with the skills they need to offer the benefits of yoga beyond the confines of a studio or gym setting. By bringing an approachable and adaptable form of the yoga practice into the local DC community, we seek to amplify the potential for yoga to create strong and equitable communities of well-being.
In 2021, I completed my Masters of Science in Yoga Therapy at the Maryland University of Integrative Health. As a C-IAYT, I have experience working with trauma, chronic pain, hypermobility spectrum disorders, injury management, grief and stress management with adults, teens and young adults.
I have worked in a variety of settings from PT clinics to schools to community centers and mental health clinics. All of these experiences inform my approach to ensuring that each student or client is offered a balanced practice that is appropriately challenging and therapeutically matched to their needs and goals.
WHAT IS YOGA THERAPY?
Yoga therapy is an integrative health modality that uses tools from the yoga tradition (breathing, movement, meditation, mindful awareness, ethics) to alleviate suffering and restore well-being.
​
Learn More from the International Association of Yoga Therapists
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW IS YOGA THERAPY DIFFERENT FROM GOING TO A YOGA CLASS?
As a yoga therapist, I have advanced training and experience in helping you to identify goals and customize practices from the yoga traditions that are based on research and tailored to your needs.
​
Group classes are a fabulous place to learn more about approaches to yoga that have evolved from ancient India to us here in America today. However, because the approach to teaching and format are different, they may not always offer the practice that will benefit you specifically.
​
People who feel that yoga is "not for me" or that they are "not good at yoga" can often access the benefits of the practice through yoga therapy. Yoga therapy can also enhance an existing yoga practice by helping you learn to adapt for your specific goals within a group class format.
HOW MANY YOGA THERAPY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?
Yoga is different than some other interventions in that it can take time for the benefits to accrue. Everyone is different and how many sessions you need will depend on a combination of your challenges and your goals. However, most people tend to see improvement within 6 sessions.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I DO YOGA THERAPY?
One of the key elements of yoga therapy, which is a bit different from a regular yoga class, is that you will get the most benefit if you do your own practice outside of our session time. Depending on your goals and challenges, we will work together to determine a schedule that works for you both to meet together and to incorporate the practices into your daily routine.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I WANT TO DO PRIVATE YOGA OR YOGA THERAPY?
Good question! Private yoga sessions are great as an introduction to the yoga practice, for working on a pose you would like to master or to learn how to modify poses for an injury in group classes.
Yoga Therapy is focused on specific goals you would like to achieve and physical or mental challenges you are navigating. Through our yoga therapy work together, I can recommend evidence-informed customized practices that will help you meet your goals. If you are unsure which is the best fit for you, please email me and we can discuss further.
HOW DO I BOOK A PRIVATE CLASS OR YOGA THERAPY INITIAL SESSION?
Please use the contact form below if you would like to book a private session or yoga therapy initial session.
SERVICES
Yoga and Yoga Therapy
GROUP CLASSES
All group classes are through Circle Yoga at this time.
​
Tuesday, 5pm - Gentle yoga
Tuesday, 6:15pm - Stretch, strengthen and align
Friday, 9am - Level 1
Friday, 10:30am - Gentle yoga with weights
​
Please click here to sign up.
YOGA THERAPY INTAKE
Yoga therapy is different from a private yoga session because it focuses directly on your needs and goals. In my role as yoga therapist, I will help you find the evidence-informed tools (postures, meditation, breath, ethics, etc.) that will help you navigate whatever challenges you are working with, whether mental or physical.
Through our work together, we will develop a personalized yoga practice that reduces suffering and enhances well-being for your specific circumstances. After each session I will send you a home sequence to work with prior to the next session. This might include individualized instructions, recordings or videos as appropriate.
​
Initial intake sessions for yoga therapy are 60 minutes and can take place in-person or via Zoom.
YOGA THERAPY FOLLOW-UP
After completion of a Yoga Therapy initial session, follow up sessions are 60 minutes and can be scheduled at a frequency that works for your needs.
PRIVATE YOGA SESSION
Private yoga sessions are a great choice for beginners to get a basic understanding of the yoga practice, for experienced practitioners trying to figure out how to adapt your existing practice to a new injury, or for anyone looking for more detailed information about the yoga practice.
​
$125/hr
WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING
