IFYT Group Therapy for Work Stress
Integration Focused Yoga Group Therapy (IFYT) for work stress has been specifically designed for individuals and organisations seeking to process and manage work related stress and build resilience. The IFYT group therapy program aims to support participants in effectively managing their difficult emotions and navigating stressful experiences in their life.
Work Stress
In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environments, stress has become an increasingly common experience for employees across industries. Workplace stress arises when the demands of a job exceed an individual’s ability to cope, whether due to high workload, tight deadlines, interpersonal conflicts, or lack of control over one’s work. While occasional stress can serve as motivation, chronic work-related stress can have serious consequences for mental health. Prolonged exposure to such stressors may lead to anxiety, depression, burnout, sleep disturbances, and reduced cognitive functioning. Understanding the link between work stress and mental health is essential not only for individual well-being but also for organizational productivity and a positive workplace culture. Addressing workplace stress through preventive strategies and supportive interventions is crucial for maintaining both psychological health and professional effectiveness.
Yoga Therapy and Its Effects
Yoga therapy has emerged as an effective holistic approach to managing work-related stress. By combining physical postures (asanas), breath regulation (pranayama), and mindfulness techniques, yoga therapy helps reduce the physiological and psychological effects of stress. Regular practice promotes relaxation, improves emotional regulation, enhances focus, and fosters resilience. Integrating yoga therapy into workplace wellness programs can support employees in managing stress, improving mental health, and boosting overall productivity.
Integration Focused Yoga Therapy (IFYT)
Integration Focused Yoga Therapy (IFYT) is a form of yoga therapy that focuses on the psychological aspects of yoga, based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. IFYT aims to help individuals manage stress and address their emotional wellbeing. Integration Focused Yoga Therapy focuses on inner transformation, emphasizing the integration of mind and body. Integration Focused Yoga Therapy facilitates the reprocessing of traumatic experiences and helps regulate the autonomic nervous system. It directly addresses the physiological aspects of trauma through the application of Yogic Asanas, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, and Dhyana practices. These techniques enable individuals to achieve better integration of their body and mind, fostering a sense of safety within themselves.
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. IFYT Level 1 and Level 2 groups convene weekly over a five-week period, with each session lasting two hours. The IFYT Level 3 group meets from Tuesday to Thursday within one week, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
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) and feeling centred. This enable them to experience calmness and safety within and to become aware of the body mind connection. 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.
When:
IFYT Level 1
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.
IFYT Level 2
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.
IFYT Level 3
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.
Venue:
Te Manawa Atawhai Catherine McAuley Centre 31 Peer Street, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch.
Fees for Yoga 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.
Please fill out this registration form or email us to aurahealthnz@gmail.com to register yourself. Once we have received your registration form a confirmation email and an invoice will be sent out. You need to make full payment before the start of the program.