Yoga therapy is the specific application of the tools of yoga to address an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional needs:

“A self-empowering process, where the care-seeker, with the help of the yoga therapist, implements a personalised and evolving yoga practice, that not only addresses the illness in a multi-dimensional manner, but also aims to alleviate [their] suffering in a progressive, non-invasive and complementary manner. Depending on the nature of the illness, Yoga therapy can not only be preventative or curative, but also serve as a means to manage the illness, or facilitate healing in the person at all levels.”

— TKV Desikachar

TKV Desikachar’s definition of yoga therapy describes the heart of the process. He played a major role in bringing yoga philosophy and the physical practices to the West. After studying in the lineage of his father, Thirumalai Krishnamacharya, he founded the first yoga therapy clinic in Chennai with a focus on making the practices accessible and relevant. Desikachar always taught each student individually, adapting the practice to their unique needs. This personalized approach later became known as viniyoga.

1. A yoga therapist has 5x the amount of education and training compared to a registered yoga teacher. I’m also in the process of completing a Master’s Degree in Yoga Studies, amounting to over 2,000 hours of study into all aspects of yoga: physical, psychological, and philosophical.

2. A yoga therapist builds a therapeutic relationship with the client. A formal one-on-one intake and comprehensive assessment are conducted. This involves a review of the client’s history in order to address their specific concerns.

3. A yoga therapist develops a personalized therapeutic wellness plan based off the client’s unique story, condition, and stated goal in order to alleviate suffering and empower the individual towards self-healing.

In my opinion, the best way to begin a yoga practice for the first time is to work with a yoga therapist who can guide you with care as you dive in: tailoring the practices to your unique constitution while educating you on the deeper aspects of the tradition in a safe, supportive environment. A yoga therapist helps bridge the gap between physical mat practice and living yoga.

You don’t need to be able to do fancy poses (or any poses at all) to benefit from yoga therapy. One reason to do yoga is to become more flexible, as well as stronger and more balanced physically and mentally. The physical postures are a small part of a complete yoga practice, and modifications for them can help you build strength & flexibility. Yoga therapists certified by IAYT have specific training that enable us to modify poses and exercises safely for injuries, physical limitations, and other conditions. Simply tell me about your concerns, and continue to communicate with your medical professionals.

Yoga therapists do not diagnose mental & physical health conditions or problems.

The assessment tools used in yoga therapy emphasize wellness and overall health and are based in yoga philosophy rather than on the psychological sciences used by psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors. Yoga therapy care is usually broader and utilizes the “tools” of āsana (poses + somatic movement), prāṇāyāma (energy regulation + breathing techniques), meditation, dialogue, and lifestyle change.

Although the techniques used by yoga therapists and physical therapists may look similar in their use of movement, the professions differ significantly in their underlying philosophies, scope of practice, and the “tools” in their toolbox. Physical therapy focuses on restoring function and may use techniques like exercise (which can include postures similar to yoga), manual therapies, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and dry needling. Yoga therapy, on the other hand, uses its practices to foster nervous system regulation, resilience, and well-being.

(This is a simplified explanation! Also as with occupational therapy and integrative medicine, in general these aligned professions are wonderful complements to one another; many patients can benefit from having both a yoga therapist and a psychological therapist, physical therapist, acupuncturist, etc.)

Take a look at this graphic showcasing the health conditions that research up to 2019 has found to benefit from yoga practice. Each condition listed has a corresponding reference to a peer-reviewed article published by a reputable research journal or book. Many thanks to Timothy McCall, MD for this resource!

Learn more at IAYT’s website.