What is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga therapy is a health discipline uniquely centered at the intersection of Eastern philosophy and Western medical science. In yoga therapy we apply yogic tools- exercises, meditation techniques, breathing, and so on- to address an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional needs. Rather than considering each body part or system separately, we see every aspect of you as part of a greater whole. It is not a treatment done to a patient, but instead a process of guidance to empower our clients to better understand themselves and tap into their own innate capacity for healing.
It is also important to note that yoga therapy does not always mean a lot of movement! While some sessions are physically vigorous, others focus on mindfulness practices, meditation, or breathing. The practice is adjusted according to your specific needs and goals.
What is the difference between yoga & yoga therapy?
General public yoga classes, and even private yoga sessions, can certainly be catalysts for transformational change, help individuals ease everyday aches & pains, and reduce stress and improve mood. This can be all some of us need when we’re already feeling generally healthy and balanced. While yoga therapy also provides all of these benefits, each session is completely tailored to the individual with the main goal of addressing any imbalance in the mind-body system. Different health conditions require different approaches, and most yoga classes simply can’t meet the needs of each person in the class in the same way.
The core differentiation between yoga and yoga therapy lies in client assessment and outcome monitoring. Yoga therapists have undergone in-depth training to be able to properly assess clients and keep them safe. They are also prepared to collaborate with other health professionals as part of their client’s overall healthcare team.
Who is it for?
Because yoga itself offers tools for the whole spectrum of human experience, yoga therapy can offer support for a wide range of concerns, including but not limited to chronic pain and fibromyalgia, major illnesses, mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and trauma recovery, neurologic issues and degenerative diseases, heart disease, cancer and palliative care, and stress-related conditions.