At ITHP, in our work with others, we aim to foster:

non-judgemental-openness,

discernment,

adaptability,

self-understanding,

kindness,

negative thought and narrative reframing,

somatic awareness,

nervous system and emotion regulation,

caring, honest, social connection, and

helpful action in line with values

to ultimately aid our clients in

accessing and wielding their own authentic

INNER strength and guidance.

Three primary aims and intentions of ITHP are to help people heal through:

1) Introspection and self-awareness - deeply understanding their history and/or, any traumatic experiences encountered, validating and cultivating a deep compassion for this, helping them use specific skills and adopt healthy, nourishing practices that aid them in grounding and regulating distressing emotions and related physiological imprints, so that they can embrace who they are and want to be in the world as well as, use all of this information to foster courageous personal accountability, ownership, and an empowering responsibility to create their own life.

2) Embodiment - becoming receptive to and tapping into the intricate mind-body link through principles and practices of yoga so that they can ruminate less and be more engaged in the present, living from the heart.

3) Passion, core values as well as, consistent action in line with meaning and purpose - clarification of what truly matters to them uniquely, reducing the social comparison game, and anchoring into what lights them up so that they can express themselves authentically, and fulfill as yet untapped potential, goals, and aspirations.

Clinic motto:

“Flourish from the inside, out.”

“At the end of the day, I hope you can say you chose happiness. That you chose to find joy within the smaller, softer moments that tugged at your heartstrings. That you did not wait for Friday, for next month, for Summer to go out and experience all of the beauty this world has to offer…At the end of the day, I hope you can say you did your best. That you relentlessly pursued your dreams and chased all that ignited something bright within your soul…That you did not hold yourself back. That you did not stand in your own way. That you went all in and never looked back.”

-Alysha Waghorn

Keep reading to learn one of the ways we tend to view human nature:

Based on ancient yoga philosophy as well as, more recent psychological, empirical evidence, at ITHP we appreciate that there are two major forces that exist on a continuum, that drive much of human nature, and shape personality, interests as well as, behaviour:

In most cases, a balance between the two is ideal (symbolized by the slightly wavy line in the centre separating the yin from the yang). This is known in ancient yoga philosophy as, Sukha Sthanam - a state of harmonious balance where we feel open, grounded, and willing to engage with life from a place of flowing, loving, courageous, calmness. Because each individual is special and unique though, and will be in different seasons of life, facing specific challenges, some may naturally and beautifully want and need to lean more in one direction versus the other for their whole lives, or just for periods of time. That is, their Sukha Sthanam, point of authentic ease, may rest to the left or right of centre relative to others. And this is awesome and not only okay, but necessary since authenticity is a survival NEED. This is why social comparison and feeling forced to be like everyone else often leads to pain and unnecessary suffering! :)

That is, problems arise for people at the extremes; when they try to be someone they are not or get stuck in unhelpful patterns, applying too much focus and pressure into one of these forms of energy for too long, and/or, when not helpful to. However, NEITHER energy is inherently superior to the other and BOTH are necessary (notice that there are small dots representing the opposite force within the dominate one, on each side) to live a harmonious and importantly, authentic life. Like a seesaw we must be receptive to what life is asking of us either due to our circumstances and/or, to what suits our unique constitution, i.e., what do I personally want and need more of, Yin or Yang…?

Please find below, two small videos with diagrams that Dr. Pilgrim created to depict this concept visually (can also be found on social media - scroll down to footer for links!).

Reference:

Gitananda Yoga

Super meaningful quotes that depict what we are striving to convey here at ITHP. :)