Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Trussell.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a clinical yoga therapist certified through the International Association of Yoga Therapists. I hold a master’s degree in yoga therapy through the Maryland University of Integrative Health and am a registered yoga teacher and continuing education provider through Yoga Alliance. I’m also a graduate of the Living School at the Center for Action and Contemplation, where I studied meditation and contemplative living.
I’ve been naturally drawn to a yoga practice all my life, although I didn’t step on a yoga mat until I was in my 20s. As a college student, I used my morning runs to quiet my mind and to practice being present. I was diagnosed with scoliosis in my 20s and discontinued running due to pain. I turned to yoga, specifically the postural practice, as a way to find the quietness I missed from running. My yoga practice began simply—with incorporating simple movements and postures into my morning routine. After practicing on my own and noting the physical benefits, I wanted to learn more. This led me down the path of yoga student, to teacher, to yoga studio ownership, and eventually–yoga therapy.
I work with individuals with a variety of needs ranging from musculoskeletal to mental health. I use a customized application of yoga teachings and practices to provide an integrative approach toward wellness. Using yoga techniques such as meditation, breath work, postural analysis, muscle testing, myofascial release, and somatics, I will develop and implement a plan of care based on the individual’s goals and needs. Yoga therapy can be its own practice or be used as a complementary treatment alongside psychotherapy, physical therapy, and other medical modalities.
My yoga therapy practice emphasizes the importance of nervous system regulation within a somatic approach. I especially enjoy working with clients to develop resources for managing stress and anxiety, increasing mindfulness, and tolerating discomfort to cultivate resilience. I have worked with populations dealing with trauma and PTSD, in recovery from alcohol and substance misuse, recovery from eating disorders, cancer recovery, stress, anxiety, and depression.
I work with clients both virtually and in person in the Atlanta area. I work out of locations in Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Cumming, and Buford. I typically work with individuals, but I also offer group yoga therapy out of the Atlanta Center For Wellness.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The main challenge I experience as a yoga therapist is educating the public on what yoga therapy is and has to offer. So many people have discovered the benefits of a yoga practice, and I often hear statements such as “yoga is my therapy”. Yoga therapy is very different from what we might encounter in a typical yoga class or even in a one-on-one yoga session with an instructor. Additionally, I am a clinical yoga therapist, so my approach to working with people is through a complementary alternative medicine lens. I work with clients to support their individual goals and work in collaboration with their medical and mental health providers to support any current plans of treatment they may have.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Yoga therapy is a customized application of yoga teachings and practices to provide an integrative approach toward wellness. Using yoga techniques such as meditation, breath work, postural analysis, muscle testing, myofascial release, and movement, I will develop and implement a plan of care based on your individual goals and needs. Yoga therapy can be its own practice or be used as a complementary treatment alongside psychotherapy, physical therapy, and other medical modalities.
For the first yoga therapy session, we will discuss your past medical history, current concerns and conditions, and your intention for seeking out yoga therapy. In this session, I will conduct breath and postural assessments, provide muscle testing, and follow up with a therapeutic session of yoga postures or somatic movements, breath work, and meditation. I will provide you with a plan of care to allow you to continue your yoga therapy at home. Confidentiality is maintained, and I will collaborate with other providers to support any ongoing treatments.
Follow-up sessions build on this work and adapt according to your response to the initial plan of care.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Book: Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience Of Happiness, Love, And Wisdom by Rick Hanson is a book I recommend to most of my clients. He gives a great overview of how the brain works that is understandable for someone who isn’t a neuroscientist and helps people understand why so many of the practices we use in yoga therapy are helpful.
Podcast: The Drive with Peter Attia. While I don’t agree with everything he says, Dr. Attia is always addressing new studies around health, well-being, and especially longevity (which is a current fascination of mine as I’m now in my middle-age years). A disclaimer: in his earlier work, he often recommends fasting as a part of his health recommendations. I work with clients recovering from eating disorders, and because of my experience, I strongly disagree with recommendations in support of fasting or restricting of food.
App: My own! I have an app with resources including yoga therapy practices, somatics, meditation, as well as yoga asana practices, and restorative yoga. This link will provide you with a 7-day free trial: https://my.playbookapp.io/rebecca-trussell
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rebeccatrussell.com/
- Instagram: @rebecca__trussell and @atlantayogatherapy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rebeccatrussell
- Other: https://my.playbookapp.io/rebecca-trussell
Image Credits
Kelly Hernandez (first photo) Myself: (additional photos)
