Yoga Therapy and the Service Industry

After nine very intense months of the final phase of my 600-hour yoga therapy certification, I was asked to choose an area of focus for my final project. This came easy to me. I have worked in the service industry for 24 years and know first-hand how brutal it can be; harassment by co-workers and customers, long hours and late nights, irregular sleep schedules, which can lead to unhealthy habits, drugs and alcohol addiction. Working more than 40 hours a week to make ends meet, relying on tips as income, and not having a consistent paycheck. Most restaurant/bar owners don’t provide health benefits so we must find other ways to cope.

That, coupled with navigating a pandemic where restaurants and bars were closed or closing, people are choosing to work from home, and most of the human race is fed up with mask mandates and want things to go back to the normal they used to know. Those of us serving food and drinks can get the brunt of their frustration; especially since we are short-staffed.

* TW: Physical violence. Please skip to the next paragraph if needed. *

I started my service industry career at 20 and worked my way up into management. If you’ve ever heard the term “screaming in the walk-in”, I’ve done it. In my early years in the industry, I was pushed up against a wall by a co-worker with his hand around my throat. I could see patrons watching out of the corner of my eye. The pressure to look “presentable” to a certain gender type and fake being an extrovert for more tips. UGH! If only I had known the tools to down-regulate my nervous system when emotion bubbled up. Or to use breath and movement to prime my body for a decent night’s sleep. Or meditation to take me out of the story in my head and bring me to the present. As I write this, it makes so much sense that I chose this path not only for others, but for my own healing as well. It has made a huge difference in my life!

* Start reading again. *

I get this question a lot; “What is the difference between yoga and yoga therapy?” Truth is, they are very similar, and there are many different forms of yoga therapy. In my training, the fundamentals of yoga are used to create a 6-phase session to move my client through a present-centered experience using breath and movement. Some of those movements look like yoga postures, sometimes they don’t. Each one-on-one session is catered to the client and their current physical, mental, emotional state. I work in tandem with my client’s other wellness team to ensure consistency.

Choosing this focus for my final presentation was actually how I found Khesed Wellness. I was immediately drawn to the fact that they assist those that are uninsured or underinsured. Affordable therapy in Denver that is also inclusive to the LGBTQ community stood out. I contacted them right away to offer my services as well. I’m grateful this organization exists not just for those in the service industry, but for EVERYONE. I love that I can relate on so many levels and assist with someone’s therapy, recovery, and overall well-being. I’m grateful that they’ve allowed me to use this platform to share what I do and serve others. These days I’m the GM of a popular bakery that serves espresso and pastries, but now I can serve in a different and otherwise meaningful way.

Box Breath Technique:

Inhale slowly to the count of four.

Hold breath to the count of four.

Exhale slowly to the count of four.

Pause to the count of four.

Repeat as needed to engage the parasympathic nervous system, slow heart rate, and keep yourself present.

In the spirit of “khesed,” Khesed referrals will receive a buy-one-get-one session with the purchase of their first session with Laura (a $90 value).

About the Author:

Laura Fessenden (she/her) RYT 200, PRYT Yoga Therapist has practiced yoga for 15 years. She obtained her yoga teacher certification in 2016 and her yoga therapy certification in 2021. Though she is drawn to help those that she can most relate to, having been in the service industry for 23 years, she has seen how yoga therapy can help heal anyone. Laura loves to travel, read, be outdoors, and is always listening to music!