Stephen Lewis
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Having suffered from depression and anxiety, I know what it is like to
have deep inner pain and a sense of hopelessness. By helping me know
myself better and gain self-acceptance, psychotherapy prepared me to
embark on a path of self-exploration and self-healing. Although I
benefited enormously from psychotherapy, eventually I found that I
needed more. I have been inspired by personal experience to help
others with their emotional struggles.

During my healing journey, I experienced a radical and positive
transformation guided by the practices of meditation, yoga, and
Ayurveda (ancient Indian medicine of balance).  In the process of
exploring different lifestyles and studying various spiritual traditions, I
completed an intense meditation retreat and was moved to spend time
at a yoga center. At Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health I was immersed
in a community and lifestyle embracing mindfulness, compassion, and
disciplined self-study. It was at Kripalu where I began a daily practice of
yoga postures, breathing exercises, dietary and lifestyle guidelines, as
well as meditation. I believe that this regular practice as well as a
lifestyle informed by the awareness it fosters, with the help of
psychotherapy, has raised the baseline of my mood state significantly
and improved my life substantially.

It was in Varanasi, India where a powerful experience clarified my path:
to integrate yoga with psychotherapy. That is, to merge this ancient
and time-tested science of holistic health with modern counseling
methods.  I believe incorporating yogic techniques in my counseling,
and psychological concepts in my therapeutic yoga instruction will
holistically support my clients towards optimal functioning. I believe
therapy is important in the verbal integration of yoga and meditation
experience.

Aspects of My Training:

Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training taught me how to guide yoga
postures, breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation in a
manner that promotes mindfulness, equanimity, alignment of the
mind-body-spirit, and compassion with the self.  I have also been
trained in yogic techniques particularly helpful in managing
depression and anxiety.  

Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy training taught me a deep one-on-
one transformative therapy that uses restorative yoga postures
along with non-invasive dialoguing, similar of Rogerian (Person-
centered)‘unconditional positive regard,’ to develop present-
moment awareness and acceptance.  

Mental Health Counseling at NYU trained me as a counselor /
psychotherapist, by introducing a holistic and eclectic variety of
theoretical models and practical techniques that help people
understand the nature and origins of their life problems, and
actively find solutions to help them heal and grow.

May you be happy!

Stephen Lewis
stephen@yogapsychotherapy.org
New York City
917-723-4685
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Academic education:
  • Brown University:   BA Philosophy, 1999, Providence, RI
  • Oxford University (Mansfield College): Western and Eastern
    philosophy
  • New York University, Steinhardt School: MA in Counseling
    for Mental Health and Wellness, 2009, New York, NY

Yoga education:
  • Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training: 200 hour 6/2005, Kripalu
    Center for Yoga and Health, Stockbridge, MA
  • LifeForce Yoga for Depression and Anxiety with Amy
    Weintraub, 7/2005
  • Advanced Kripalu Yoga teacher training, Module 3, 1/2007,
    Module 2 6/2009
  • Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy training, 2006-2007, Bristol,
    Vermont

Current Yoga Instruction:
  • Therapeutic yoga groups for psychiatric outpatients and
    inpatients at Bellevue Hospital, NYC
  • Therapeutic yoga and mindfulness groups for Project
    PRIDE, a substance abuse treatment program in Harlem, NYC
  • Private Yoga Therapy sessions, New York City
About
  Stephen Lewis