Integration Focused Yoga Group Therapy (Samunnaya Yoga Chikitsa)
What is Integration Focused Yoga Therapy (Samunnaya Yoga Chikitsa)?
Integration Focused Yoga Therapy (IFYT) is a form of yoga therapy that emphasises the psychological components of yoga, drawing on the Yoga Sutras of Maharshi Patanjali and the Samkhya School of Thought, one of the oldest philosophical systems in India. Integration Focused Yoga Therapy focuses on inner transformation, emphasizing the integration of mind and body. IFYT aims to help individuals manage stress and address emotional wellbeing. The therapy is structured to support participants in developing personal integration, enhancing better mind-body connection, and cultivating inner harmony. Additionally, Integration Focused Yoga Group Therapy facilitates the reprocessing of distressing or traumatic life experiences, contributing to overall wellbeing of the person.
Confidentiality and Privacy in IFYT Group Therapy
Within our IFYT group therapy sessions, strict confidentiality is maintained at all times. Participants are not required to discuss or disclose any details of their distressing experiences or past traumas during group interactions. Throughout the therapy process, clients do not share personal trauma histories with other group members, ensuring a safe and supportive environment focused on individual healing and emotional regulation.
What does the IFYT group therapy look like?
The Integration Focused Yoga Therapy group functions within a structured framework, comprising up to ten participants and two clinicians. The Integration Focused Yoga Group Therapy runs through four different levels with a different focus at each levels. At the beginning of each session, participants will be helped to tune to their inner self (Calm, Collected Self), feeling centred and experience calmness and safety within themselves. Subsequently, based on their level of participation in IFYT, individuals will either further develop their understanding of the concept of “Calm, Collected Self,” or participate in the reprocessing of stressful experiences without sharing any specific details with other group members. A clinician will provide assistance to any participant who may have difficulty managing the session, offering support for emotional regulation as necessary.
We offer following IFYT Group Therapy programs
1. Samunnaya 1 : Integration Focused Yoga Therapy Level 1
The Level 1 Integration Focused Yoga Therapy program assists participants in tuning to their "Calm, Collected Self," while promoting greater awareness of the mind-body connection and fostering a sense of internal unity. Participants will learn Calm and Relaxed Process (Shanti Kriya), Strong and Confident Process (Shakti Kriya), Loving Kindness Process (Maitri Karuna Kriya), and Happy Child Process (Ananda Bala Kriya) in the level 1 program.
When:
Group 1: April 2nd to April 30th, every Thursdays from 5:45 pm to 7:45 pm.
Group 2: August 6th to September 3rd, every Thursdays from 5.45 pm to 7:45 pm.
2, Samunnaya 2 : Integration Focused Yoga Therapy Level 2
The Integration Focused Yoga Therapy level 2 group program is dedicated to ‘Trauma processing’. Participants will be helped to reprocess their painful and stressful experiences that happed in their life through Suga Kriya. The Level 2 IFYT program is specifically designed for individuals seeking to address stressful experiences, reprocess their painful experiences in their life, deepen their understanding of body and mind connection, and cultivate a sense of internal unity. Those who have attended IFYT level 1 program can attend this group program.
When:
Group 1: February 5th to March 5th, every Thursdays from 5:45 pm to 7:45 pm.
Group 2: June 4th to July 2nd, every Thursdays from 5.45 pm to 7:45 pm.
Group 3: October 1st to October 29th, every Thursdays from 5.45 pm to 7.45 pm.
3, Samunnaya 3 : Integration Focused Yoga Therapy Level 3
Level 3 Integration Focused Yoga Group Therapy is focuses on ‘Breath Work’ and to strengthen their “Calm, Collected Self” within. Participants will be initiated to “Samunnaya Kriya” during this program. Only those who have attended IFYT level 1 program can attend this group program.
When:
Group 1: July 21st to July 23rd, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:30 pm to 8 pm.
Group 2: November 10th to November 12th, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:30 pm to 8 pm.
4, Samunnaya 4 : Integration Focused Yoga Therapy Level 4
The Integration Focused Yoga Therapy level 4 group program is designed for ‘Trauma processing’ through specific kriyas. Participants will be helped to reprocess their painful experiences in their life using Saukhya Kriya which involves a series of yogic asanas and pranayamas. The Level 4 IFYT program is specifically designed for individuals seeking to reprocess their painful traumatic experiences in their life and deepen their understanding of body and mind connection to the next level. Only those who have attended level 1, level 2 and level 3 program are eligible to attend this program.
When:
Dates to be announced later.
Venue:
Te Manawa Atawhai Catherine McAuley Centre, 31 Peer Street, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch.
Fees for EMDR Group Programs
Individuals: $600; Business: $900 (partially funded by Aura Health).
Research participant’s rate: Individuals: $300; Business: $450 (Research
participants needs to complete questionnaires assessing their wellbeing before and after the program,
funded by Aura Health).
Our Facilitators
Dr Jain Joseph, PhD
Dr Jain Joseph is an experienced clinical psychologist with 24 years of professional practice. He is an accredited EMDR therapist and EMDR Case Consultant in Training. He is currently working towards advanced accreditation in Schema Therapy. His academic qualifications include a Master of Arts in Applied Psychology (Industrial Psychology), a Master of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology (M.Phil), and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology.
Dr Joseph began his yoga practice in 1995 during his undergraduate studies in Philosophy. He completed his Bachelor of Philosophy (BPh) and Bachelor of Art in Philosophy (BA) in 1998. He earned Certificates in Basic Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga in 1999. In the same year, he was initiated into Babaji Kriya Yoga by the late Yogiar S. A. A. Ramaiah. He further advanced his expertise by completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Yoga in 2005. Since 1999, Dr Joseph has been teaching yoga and integrating Yoga therapy to address psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms, and trauma. He conducted Yoga Therapy group sessions for individuals with complex mental illnesses at Princess Margaret Hospital for several years.
Ambily M Joseph
Ambily M Joseph is a registered social worker who will be co-facilitating this group. She holds a Masters in Applied Psychology (M.Sc.) and a Masters in Social Work (MSW). She is trained in EMDR therapy and undergoing training in Integration Focused Yoga Therapy.