About Yoga & Talk®

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Kelly Inselmann co-founded the Yoga and Talk® method in 2002. Yoga and Talk® consciously combines yoga and meditation with psychotherapy to complement and enhance the effectiveness of each, and it was one of the first such integrative therapies to be recognized by the professional yoga community.

Since 2002, Kelly has facilitated programs and workshops for a wide variety of groups from adolescent girls and school-age children to survivors of trauma. In addition to her work with cancer survivors, she currently leads an ongoing Women’s Group that has been meeting for 4 years.

Kelly also offers continuing education for therapists and yoga teachers who are interested in the integration of yoga and psychology. In 2014, she developed and facilitated a 3 day experiential workshop for dual credentialed therapists to explore the integration of these practices.

Enjoy this Yoga Journal article, Talk to Me, featuring Yoga and Talk®.

Interested in having Kelly lead a Yoga and Talk® workshop for your studio, retreat center, or program? Contact her HERE.


Why integrate yoga and meditation with psychotherapy?

Yoga has a powerful effect on the central nervous system. Practicing yoga just prior to group therapy interrupts cycles of stress and negative self talk, allowing participants to create a shift in their internal state towards a feeling of well being, relaxation, and hope. Coming from a relaxed state, they engage more readily in the therapy process and are more open to receiving the wisdom, comfort, support (and sometimes confrontation!) they need from others.

The yoga trains us to observe changes in our minds, bodies, and emotions; the group offers a space to express thoughts and feelings, reflect on the impact of stress and trauma on our bodies, build communication skills, and relate to one another from our true selves.

The ability to self soothe and regulate one’s emotions allows individuals to tolerate frustration, disappointment, painful emotions, and life’s difficulties in and out of the therapy office.

Yoga practice and psychotherapy literally help individuals get strong enough (both mentally and physically) to “move through” difficult situations and painful feelings without shutting down, running away, or acting out. The result is greater clarity, more energy and stamina, and hope for the future.

In this age of distraction, overstimulation, fear, and unbalance, both yoga and psychotherapy can provide an integrative experience of safety, focus, balance, self compassion, and deep healing.

3-heartsI’d love to share the story of my Joy Boots journey with you. Click here for a closer look.