Yoga therapy

It’s long been known that practicing yoga has a therapeutic and healing effect – even in ancient times, yogis were aware of this. While yoga has become widely popular, yoga therapy has recently started to gain more recognition. But what exactly is yoga therapy? Is any yoga class considered yoga therapy? Not quite.

Just as talking to a good friend may have a therapeutic effect, it doesn’t make your friend a psychotherapist. The same applies to yoga. A yoga teacher may have extensive knowledge of yoga but is not necessarily a yoga therapist. Yoga therapy requires specific skills—understanding the person as a whole, seeing their challenges within a broader context, and applying the many tools of yoga in a way that supports and helps that individual at this particular moment.

So who is a yoga therapist? A psychotherapist? A physiotherapist? Neither. Are they a healer? Not exactly. A yoga therapist is someone who guides a person through their healing journey, helping them move toward greater balance and harmony by providing tools to remove obstacles along the way. With the support of a yoga therapist, the individual takes an active role in their self-healing.

The role of a yoga therapist is not so much to teach yoga techniques, but to support the client through their challenges so that they can achieve greater independence, connection with themselves, and access their inner strength and wisdom. The practices offered in yoga therapy don’t just alleviate symptoms but also nurture personal potential and its realization.

It’s often said, “A yoga therapist is like a taxi driver who takes the client where they want to go.” Whatever that place may be, it offers the person a chance to see themselves from a new perspective, to empower themselves, and to let their life force shine once again.

In which cases can it help?

It is now quite common for yoga therapy to be discussed in scientific journals and platforms, which means there is already a substantial amount of scientific evidence supporting the healing effects of yoga. It is believed that soon we will see yoga offered as a healthcare service, with more and more medical professionals already recommending yoga as a therapeutic approach.

The spectrum of benefits is broad, and yoga can provide relief or support for the following issues:

Musculoskeletal disorders (such as posture problems, back pain, scoliosis)
Cardiovascular diseases (high blood pressure, heart failure, arrhythmias)
Respiratory difficulties, chronic bronchitis, and asthma
Digestive issues and irritable bowel syndrome
Urogenital and reproductive system disorders; menstrual issues, menopause
Stress and chronic fatigue syndrome
Headaches
Insomnia
Anxiety disorders and depression

Studies show that yoga has a supportive effect for cancer patients, helping to alleviate side effects of chemotherapy such as fatigue, anxiety, pain, and boosting immunity. While yoga does not directly cure cancer, it can improve the quality of life in complex conditions like cancer.

It is also important to recognize that yoga therapy is by no means a miracle cure for all diseases and ailments. It’s crucial to understand that a yoga therapist does not diagnose—this is the role of a qualified doctor. It may happen that the yoga therapist will recommend consulting a doctor, and then, based on the diagnosis, suggest complementary methods to work on specific issues. Yoga therapy does not reject or replace conventional medicine—ideally, they work hand in hand.

How does it work?

Historically, yoga has been a body of teachings passed down in a one-on-one format – the teacher would give the student specific practices that were appropriate, manageable, and beneficial for them. The same practice can affect two seemingly similar people in completely different ways. This leads us to a key principle of yoga therapy: it is not a one-size-fits-all recipe. For example, two people with lower back pain may receive entirely different practices during yoga therapy.

A yoga therapist doesn’t simply “put a patch” on the painful area. Instead, they view the person as a whole, taking into account their physical, energetic, mental, and emotional state. On closer inspection, we see that everything in a person is interconnected. A breathing exercise supports lung function but also calms the mind; stretching a muscle benefits both the muscle itself and the overall body tone. Spiritual work, in turn, is felt in the physical body. From a therapeutic perspective, when we influence one organ, we impact the entire system.

Yoga therapy does not rush to “fix” a person. The first step is to show up, look at what is happening in the present moment, accept and understand the situation, and become more self-aware and self-compassionate.

Contraindications

Compared to general yoga classes, especially more intense and dynamic practices, yoga therapy is generally very safe. Unlike regular yoga classes, yoga therapy adapts the intensity of exercises to each participant’s individual needs and capabilities.

In addition to medical conditions, a yoga therapist also considers the client’s overall physical fitness, endurance, areas of weakness, as well as their individual needs and goals.

Since yoga therapy is a holistic practice for both the body and mind, there are no general contraindications. All exercises and techniques are tailored to what the client needs and is capable of practicing.

Useful to know

The first session begins with a conversation, where the client shares their concerns—after all, someone seeking yoga therapy is not looking for a regular yoga class but for support with their health issues and symptoms. This dialogue is essential because it helps both the client and the therapist understand the goals of the therapy—what the client hopes to achieve through their yoga program.

Next, the yoga therapist observes and assesses the client’s posture—how they stand, how they move—to identify imbalances in the musculoskeletal system. The way a person holds themselves reveals a lot! The therapist also examines the breath.

An experienced yoga therapist can gain a wealth of information from a person’s breathing—about their life energy, stress levels, and mental state. At this point, the therapist already has an idea of which tools should be included in the client’s personalized yoga program. This may include yoga postures, breathing techniques, mental exercises, and relaxation practices—all tailored to the individual’s specific needs.

At the end of the session, the client receives a printed program, and their personal practice begins. The impact of yoga therapy is directly linked to the individual’s commitment to practicing regularly. Healing is not always a quick process—just as it can take years for an illness to develop, recovery may also be a long, patient journey.

It’s important to note that yoga therapy is not only for those with illnesses. If someone is seeking personal guidance in their yoga journey, wants to prevent health issues, or wishes to support their holistic well-being and balance, yoga therapy can be very helpful. While a single session is possible, the best results are usually achieved through ongoing work—follow-up sessions review the practices, make adjustments if needed, and deepen the process.

Interesting facts from science

Studies have shown that yoga therapy has a positive impact on a range of health issues. For example, regular yoga practice has been found to help reduce symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety, improve emotional well-being, and alleviate sleep disturbances.

Yoga therapy has also proven beneficial in the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases, helping to lower blood pressure and improve heart function. Additionally, yoga practices have been found to reduce muscle tension and pain, thereby contributing to overall well-being.

Sources

https://ingajooga.com/joogateraapia/https://www.ttuhsc.edu/global-health/documents/lecture-series/atkinson_handout_111616.pdf