What is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga therapy is a holistic approach designed to empower you to enhance your health and well-being through the practice of yoga. It integrates various yoga techniques to address your specific physical, mental, and emotional needs, supporting your journey towards wellness.

Key Components of Yoga Therapy:

Physical Postures (Asanas): Tailored movements that support your physical well-being.
Breathing Exercises (Pranayama): Techniques to enhance your breath and calm the mind.
Meditation/Relaxation (Dhyana): Practices to cultivate mental clarity and emotional balance.

Trained in yoga therapy, I can work with you one-on-one to develop a personalized practice that considers your unique health concerns and goals. I can also work with you in a group setting, providing adaptations to increase accessibility. My process when you sign up to a class includes:

Reviewing your medical history and discussing any health issues.
Identifying safe and beneficial movements for you.
Demonstrating proper form and technique to prevent injury.
Explaining the effects of each pose on your body.
Guiding you in relaxation and stress management techniques.
Supporting you in achieving your personal wellness goals.

Yoga therapy complements traditional medical treatments and is suitable for managing various health conditions. You don’t need prior yoga experience to benefit from yoga therapy.

What Can Yoga Therapy Address?

Yoga therapy offers several health benefits, including:

Reducing physical discomfort and managing pain.
Supporting neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS), fibromyalgia, epilepsy, and stroke.
Alleviating joint pain associated with arthritis.
Reducing stress, tension, and headaches.
Aiding in weight management.
Improving mood and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Easing menopausal symptoms.
Providing support for individuals recovering from trauma.

While ongoing research explores the full benefits of yoga therapy, it is not yet proven as a cure for underlying conditions.

Treatments I can work with:

The following list of conditions are ones I have covered in my training. However, if your condition is not listed below, I can contact my mentors and complete research to increase accessibility, allowing you to enjoy the experience of my yoga sessions.

Acute and Chronic Back Pain (general back pain / sacroiliac dysfunction / sciatica / disc issues / kyphosis / lordosis / scoliosis)
Acute and Chronic Neck Pain
Shoulder Pain
Knee pain
Hip pain
Wrist pain
Respiratory issues (asthma / COPD / chronic bronchitis / common cold / viruses / stress related)
Heart Problems
Stress
Depression
Anxiety
PTSD
Headaches
Weight-loss

My approach in delivering classes is very inclusive, if there is a student who has other health conditions, I will research and seek advice from my mentors.

How Does Yoga Therapy Work?

Initial Consultation: Your journey begins with an initial meeting with your yoga therapist, where they will learn about your health concerns, medical history, and desired outcomes. Based on this information, they will craft a customized yoga therapy plan considering your physical needs, overall health, age, and goals.

Session Details: During sessions, you will engage in a variety of movements and stretches aimed at enhancing strength, flexibility, and balance. You’ll often perform these exercises seated or standing, using a chair for support if needed. Typical activities might include:

Proper Sitting and Standing Techniques: Ensuring safe and functional postures.
Range of Motion Exercises: Improving joint mobility and ease of movement.
Breathing Techniques: Helping to reduce stress and manage pain.
Relaxation Practices: Concluding the session with practices to quiet the mind and body.

Home Practice: I can provide you with a home practice plan to support your ongoing progress and encourage the establishment of a daily self-care routine.

Session Frequency and Duration

Session Length: Initial sessions typically last between 30 to 90 minutes, with additional optional home practices being shorter, around 15 minutes each.

Frequency: The frequency of your yoga therapy sessions will depend on your goals and the recommendations of your yoga therapist and healthcare provider. Typically, one class a week, plus optional (but recommended) exercises at home.

Benefits and Safety

Benefits: Yoga therapy can help with stress relief, mental clarity, muscle strengthening, pain reduction, balance improvement, better sleep, and overall body alignment.

Safety: The risks associated with yoga therapy are minimal. Your therapist will ensure that all poses are safe and accessible, tailored to your individual needs and capabilities.

Recovery and Outlook

The timeline for experiencing benefits from yoga therapy varies. Some individuals may feel more relaxed immediately after a session, while others may notice improvements in strength, balance, and overall well-being over a longer period.

Additional Considerations

Difference Between Yoga and Yoga Therapy: Yoga is often seen as a form of exercise focusing on strength and flexibility, typically taught in group settings. In contrast, yoga therapy is a more personalized practice aimed at addressing specific health issues, with a stronger emphasis on therapeutic benefits.

Yoga Training: Yoga therapy requires extensive training.

Consultation with Healthcare Providers: Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting yoga therapy, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.

Yoga therapy offers a comprehensive approach to balancing your body and mind, supporting overall well-being and complementing traditional medical care.