Yoga Therapy

What is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga Therapy is a scientific system of self-investigation and self-transformation that empowers an individual to choose what brings them back to a state of harmony within themselves and the world around them. Cultivation of wholeness is not limited to just physical health, but is seen as a multi-dimensional through all aspects of being.

The yogic model of health addresses the whole person inside and out—every aspect of a person’s life is important rather than considering each body part or system separately. Yoga Therapy focuses on all levels of healing: physical, psycho-emotional, energetic, and even spiritual levels. It is ultimately the process of empowering individuals to move towards improved health and wellbeing.

Yoga Therapy is yoga with a specific focus on health and healing that is adapted to each individual no matter the physical condition or capability, age, religion, or culture. Each personalized session is client-centered and there is no one size fits all— just as each individual and their healing journey is unique, so is each of their yoga therapy sessions.

Yoga Therapy is unique in that it recognizes that relief of symptoms is just one facet of healing. Not all conditions can be cured, but Yoga Therapy works with the natural healing capacity of the body and mind to move towards understanding, wellbeing and wholeness regardless of circumstances.

Yoga therapy is the professional application of the principles and practices of yoga to promote health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship that includes personalized assessments, goal setting, lifestyle management, and yoga practices of individuals or small groups.

International Association of Yoga Therapy

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The Goals of Yoga Therapy

The goal of Yoga Therapy is to cultivate and increase self-awareness so that a client can better direct their energy and focus towards their desired goals. For some clients this might be eliminating, reducing or managing symptoms that cause suffering, such as relief from physical pain or mental anxiety. Through observation and recognition of common daily patterns of use in the body and mind, clients learn to cultivate self-regulation skills so as to feel empowered to move towards a greater sense of wholeness and harmony.

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The Clinical Practice of Yoga Therapy

Yoga Therapists require an in-depth understanding of both Western and Eastern anatomy and physiology as well as experiential knowledge of all of the yoga methodologies and techniques. A deep understanding and experience of the healing process is essential as it is a shared experience and unique to each collaboration.

In addition, Yoga Therapists also consider all aspects of a person’s mind, body, and spirit, as well as family situation, work environment, socioeconomic level, and cultural factors. Analysis often begins with the body-posture, respiration, patterns of stress in the musculoskeletal and nervous systems— yet also takes into account mental and emotional stress patterns that can cause disharmony. Based on this comprehensive assessment, a personalized therapeutic strategy is tailored to the individual and adapts over time as needs and goals change.

Yoga Therapy works with each person’s innate healing capacity through the application of specific yogic tools cultivating not just relief, but resiliency and fortitude of mind as well as body. By creating a safe space for introspection and discovery, Yoga Therapy teaches methods to increase overall wellbeing.

Yoga is more than just stretching or movement— it is about deepening the connection with every part of your body, mind, and spirit so to better connect with the world around us. This awareness is cultivated through movement and somatic based practices, but also through the practice of relaxation techniques, meditation, mindfulness, guided visualization, breathing exercises, restorative and stress reduction techniques, principles of classical Āyurveda, etc. There is no experience needed. Yoga Therapy can be taught and applied to any condition, any body, any age, any gender, any one!

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Yoga Therapy as an Integrative Approach

Yoga Therapy is adjunctive and integrative in nature— skills and tools learned from Yoga Therapy sessions can greatly enhance other healing modalities and treatments, whether those methods be from Western medicine or other holistic means.

Yoga Therapists encourage collaboration across fields of expertise and often work closely with medical doctors, physical therapists, psychologists, care providers, traditional medicine practitioners, etc. Client communication with their healthcare providers regarding Yoga Therapy sessions is highly encouraged.

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What to Expect in Session

Health and experience histories are collected via new client forms and are completed prior to the initial Yoga Therapy session. These are essential for the Yoga Therapist to get to know their client as well as personalize session time. Each Yoga Therapy session, whether individual or in group setting, begins with discourse— a collaboration to identify areas of growth and improvement, set goals and move towards their resolution.

Sessions are typically 60 to 90 minutes long. Afterwards, clients will receive a summary of their personalized session along with practical tools and techniques to practice at home in between appointments. Frequency of individual sessions depends on each person and their goals, as well as proficiency with home routine. Group Yoga Therapy sessions for specific conditions typically are on a 6 to 8 week basis or longer.

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Yoga Therapy Resources:

• International Association of Yoga Therapists
• IJYT: Brief Over View of Current Research on Yoga’s Impact on Common Conditions
• Definition of Yoga Therapy, IAYT
• Qualities of a Yoga Therapist, Joseph Le Page
• 5 Fundamental Principles of Integrative Yoga Therapy, Joseph Le Page
• The Distinction Between a Yoga Class and a Yoga Therapy Session, Gary Kraftsow
• Yoga Therapy: Definition, Perspective, and Principles, Richard Miller
• Yoga Therapy and Pain, An IAYT White Paper
• Pain and Yoga Therapy: Part 1, Neil Pearson
• Pain and Yoga Therapy: Part 2, The Lived Experience of Persisting Pain, Neil Pearson
• Pain and Yoga Therapy: Part 3, When Pain Persists, Neil Pearson

Do you have questions about Yoga Therapy and how it can help you? Contact Michelle below to learn more about creating a personalized approach that fit your needs.

Contact Michelle to learn more about the Yoga Therapy so you can decide if its is a good fit for you. This is for new clients to receive information with no commitment or obligation. This information is solely for contact with Yoga Harmonics and will not be shared.

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