Distinguishing Yoga Therapy
What Is Yoga Therapy?
"Yoga therapy is the professional application of [yogic] principles and practices…to promote [holistic] health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship…It includes personalised assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management and yoga practices for individuals or small groups." International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)
Yoga Therapy is also characterized by its clinical approach, assessment-driven methodology, and foundation in scientific principles.
Through comprehensive assessments, yoga therapists examine both the multi-faceted aspects influencing health, and the client’s lifestyle history to tailor effective and appropriate practices for each individual’s needs and healing goals. One-on-one sessions allow for meticulous planning and a customized approach that evolves with the client. Sessions include pain-free physical exercises, mindful mobility work, purposeful breathwork, relaxation techniques, meditation, and compassionate trauma-informed conversations. As part of our holistic approach, we also offer lifestyle counselling and self-care strategies, and at times, we incorporate play and creativity to support healing.
As also postulated by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), yoga therapy aims to eliminate, reduce, and/or manage symptoms to:
- Reduce anguish
- Improve functioning
- Prevent the occurrence or re-occurrence of underlying causes of illness
- Shift toward improved health and well-being
How is Yoga Therapy Different to Mainstream Yoga?
The training required to become a yoga therapist is distinctively different to that required for mainstream yoga teaching. The extensive biomedical and psychological training, the multi-faceted approach, emphasis on the therapeutic relationship, and the in-depth knowledge required, set yoga therapists apart. Unlike most conventional yoga teacher training, yoga therapy studies demand several years of training, encompassing real-life case work and a dissertation for certification.
Moreover, yoga therapists avoid adhering to specific yoga systems like Ashtanga or Vinyasa when cueing and generally work in one-on-one settings or very small groups purposely to ensure tailored programmes. Yoga therapists are trained to recognise when certain poses, breathing techniques or otherwise may be contraindicated, taking into account the details obtained during the intake and assessment, doing so from a biopsychosocial, spiritual and emotional perspective. This ascertains holistic programmes and a whole-person approach to achieve optimal health and well-being.
The Training
Yoga Therapists’ training encompasses knowledge on the body’s biomechanics, organ systems, the nervous system, disease symptoms, progression and prognosis, treatment options, and the side-effects of medication. They also obtain an understanding of mental health issues, possess somatic counselling skills, and approach their work with trauma sensitivity. This comprehensive training integrates the mental and physical aspects, viewing health and disease within the context of individual behaviour and surrounding environments. Yoga therapists employ a multidimensional, holistic approach in applying yoga therapy principles to address the extensive needs of the whole person.
Why Choose Yoga Therapy
Based on clinical studies and empirical evidence, yoga therapy is gaining global recognition as a complementary approach for various health conditions, including heart disease, PTSD, pain management, fibromyalgia, and more. With an emphasis on accreditation and certification, it offers an inclusive, supportive approach alongside medical treatments.
KEY BENEFITS OF YOGA THERAPY PRACTICE:
- Stress reduction and anxiety relief
- Reduced inflammation
- Enhanced cardiovascular health
- Diminished chronic pain
- Better sleep quality
- Increased strength, posture, and balance
- Improved range of motion
