WHAT'S IN YOUR YOGA TOOLKIT?

As you consider working with your clients, think about what you would put in your end of life yoga “toolkit.” 

 

Our toolkit can contain physical items, as well as ideas, thoughts, practices, meditations, etc. Let’s take a moment to think about some tangible items we would bring with us to each appointment.

 

For bedside care:

 

• Barrier cream

• Wipes for the body

• Clorox wipes for the environment

• Antibacterial lotion/gel

• Small garbage bags

• Facial tissue

• Unscented lotion

• Small shoe horn

• Disposable gloves

• Disposable chux

• Sharpie 

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Hospice will provide most of the materials necessary for hands-on bedside care, but it can be helpful to have your own supply of certain items. What would you add to the list above?
 

Some items to consider:

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• Scarves (to drape over light fixtures to create a specific atmosphere or mood)

• Battery-operated tea lights 

• Candles (ask first about scented candles, as some people may be sensitive to smell)

• Essential oils (ask first)

• Barbara Karnes books/pamphlets

• Meditations to read

• Poems to read

• Books or puzzles

• Coloring books

• Playing cards

• Music to play, playlists prepared specifically for your client

• Breath mints / gum

• Medical scissors 

• Self care items (healthy snacks, water, a sweater or wrap)

• Vicks Vapor Rub (for under your nose to mask unpleasant odors)

• Dark colored hand towels (to clean up blood or other bodily fluids)

 

It’s important to calibrate the items in your yoga toolkit to match the client you’re working with.  

What would you add to the list above?

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And now, what are some mental, emotional and spiritual tools that you could put in your figurative yoga toolkit?

 

Some ideas to consider:

• Breath practices (pranayama)

• Meditations

• Songs

• Mantras

• Mudras

• Stretches

• Your ability to listen deeply

• Your ability to hold space

• Your “don’t know mind” (from The Five Invitations)

 

What would you add to the list above?  

 

Your yoga toolkit is a reflection of what you can bring to be of service to your client. Sometimes we can think of this in a physical form, and sometimes it’s the energy or the presence you bring.  

 

It’s also a good idea to have on hand:

• A list of funeral homes with contact information

• A list of attorneys who can help with wills and advance planning

• A list of local grief groups

• Client’s hospice contact info

• Contacts of other doulas who can help you through sticky situations

• List of caregiver support groups

• A list of 24/7 caregiver services