Mary Boland

Mary Boland
Foundations Program Graduate
Yoga Therapist & Teacher
Location: Topeka, KS
topekayoganetwork.com

Since starting my education with Breathing Deeply, I’ve gained confidence in my understanding of human anatomy and in my ability to safely help practitioners with chronic pain caused by repetitive movements in their work environment. This is particularly helpful in my yoga business!

I was a newly trained 200-hour certified yoga teacher when I was asked to teach at a retirement community. Not really knowing what I didn’t know, I started working on sequencing classes for residents. After teaching a couple of classes, I realized that I only knew enough about the human body to be a danger to any clients or practitioners. Because I didn’t fully understand the joints and muscle groups in the body, I was not skilled enough to design safe classes for the varying types of physical issues I encountered. That is when I researched Breathing Deeply and signed myself (and my business partner/daughter!) up. I expected and received a disciplined program that integrated Western medicine. I have learned so much!

This training has literally changed how I approach group classes and individual sessions! The focus on anatomy was the most valuable part of the program for me. Understanding what happens to a muscle group or a joint when moving in and out of yoga poses should be a requirement for all yoga certifications. The Breathing Deeply program is thorough and focuses on how we, as yoga therapists, educate our clients so they can help themselves. I am much more confident in my ability to help practitioners and clients safely. Breathing Deeply fundamentally changed how I sequence and offer different types of pranayama based on varying physical and emotional issues.

Every time I work with someone and they tell me how good they feel is a success story for me. I am now, with my business partner, working onsite in “corporate” settings, teaching employees, whether it is a hospital where the doctors and nurses are so stressed out, or an assisted living community where just about anybody comes through the door, I am prepared because of Breathing Deeply.