Camp Garuda
Case Study: Camp Garuda
An Evidence-Based Yoga Therapy Retreat for Adolescent Girls with IBD
Camp Garuda is a two-week immersive yoga therapy program designed for adolescent girls living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Developed as part of my formal postgraduate yoga therapy training, the program applies the bio-psycho-social-spiritual (BPSS) model to support participants in developing emotional resilience, embodied self-regulation, and a sense of meaning through ritual and community.
Structured around evidence-based practices, Camp Garuda integrates age-appropriate yoga, mindfulness, and creative expression in a safe group setting. Each day builds toward cultivating nervous system regulation, fostering connection to self and others, and developing confidence in one's inner resources. The program was informed by both clinical research and lived experience, drawing on studies that demonstrate the efficacy of yoga therapy in improving psychological well-being, reducing anxiety, and enhancing quality of life for youth with chronic conditions.
This case study serves as a model of how yoga therapy can be adapted for group work with a specific population, offering a replicable framework that bridges therapeutic intention with developmental needs. It reflects my commitment to making yoga therapy accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the unique experiences of those navigating both health challenges and identity formation. Camp Garuda illustrates not only the therapeutic power of integrative practice, but also the essential role of relational safety, ritual, and shared story in the healing process.
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