Yoga for Couples: Balance, Acknowledgment, and Service
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This three session once-a-week program is offered for intimate partners to develop a yoga practice to strengthen their relationship. Each session consists of a 90 minute format that includes practice in yogic postures (asanas), individual and couples meditations, and therapeutic dialog.
The sessions serve to enhance the partners’ relationship through yoga practice and dialog that focuses upon:
• Recreating balance between the partners
• Enhancing mutual acknowledgement of the relationship
• Being in service to one another
Each session includes the introduction and practice of classical hatha postures, training in Kundalini yoga meditation, and introduction to Dialectic Behavior Therapy for couples.
The sessions are held at Pacific Psychological Associates, 877 North Douglas Street in El Segundo. The fee is $450 for the three session program. The sessions may be covered under insurance health plans. For details and to enroll, contact Edward Dunbar at 310/536-0211 or edwdunbar@AOL.COM.
Frequently asked questions about Yoga for Couples.
What is the goal of the couples practice?
The sessions create an opportunity for couples to “tune in” to one another. The practice provides an opportunity for individuals to work together in terms of breath, movement, yoga postures, and dialog to strengthen their relationship.
Is this like couples therapy?
Mostly the answer is “no.” The majority of the sessions are devoted to yoga postures and meditation between the two individuals; the couples dialog is linked to the yogic work. This is not a practice to focus upon prior history, conflicts, or long term relationship issues – topics covered in couples therapy. Instead the emphasis is upon building mindfulness skills with your partner in a private and yogic-based approach to engagement.
I do not practice yoga, am I able to this?
The simple answer is “yes.” The intensity of the couples yoga practice is geared to the level of the two individuals. The couples yoga practice included in each session can serve as an introduction to yoga postures that can be pursued individually.
I have never done any yoga meditation – can I do this?
No prior experience is necessary to participate in the meditation practice. The sessions can serve as a good introduction to the discipline of meditation for persons with no prior background.
How is this different from a hatha yoga class?
The emphasis is not upon the individual; rather the sessions engage the couple to develop a mutual practice. The integration of Dialectic Behavior Therapy principles serves to create a focused and conscious way to engage outside of the sessions.
Dr. Edward Dunbar is a licensed psychologist and Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychology at UCLA. He has taught yoga in health care and correctional settings and is a graduate of the teacher training program for Kundalini yoga at Yoga West. Dr. Dunbar has been practicing Hatha and Kundalini yoga for more than 30 years.
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