What is Yoga Therapy?
What is Yoga Therapy?
I am often asked what is Yoga Therapy?
The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) defines Yoga Therapy as “the professional application of the principles and practices of yoga to promote health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship that includes personalized assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management, and yoga practices for individuals or small groups.” and “the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the application of the teachings and practices of Yoga.”
I describe Yoga Therapy as a holistic journey of self discovery and a path to overall wellbeing. Using the teachings of Yoga and Ayurveda to reconnect our body and mind, and rediscover the spirit within us to help bring us back to wholeness, balance, and contentment with our true self and current state. Yoga Therapists empower and support individuals through their own unique journey, focusing on the specific goals of the individual and looking at the body, mind, and spirit as one whole entity.
Here is a comparison of what you might see in a Yoga Therapy class and common studio yoga class. This is a generalization and a studio yoga class can vary depending on the teacher, their training and experience, and how much of the entirety they teach of the yoga practice.
Yoga Therapy Class
- Minimum 1000 hours of training having completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training in a specific yoga style, and a minimum 800 hour accredited Yoga Therapy Diploma
- Clients have a specific health issue in common and yogic practices are explored to support these
- Smaller classes, less participants
- Pace of class is slower and focus is to regulate the nervous system
- Sequences and practice only include 10 -13 movements, interoception during movement is always an emphasis
- Sequences include gentle, restorative movements
- No obvious peak to the class and activating the relaxation response is the focus
- Specific education related to the therapeutic focus are included in each class
Common Yoga Class
- Instructors have minimum 200 hour yoga teacher training in a specific yoga style
- Clients are often mobile and classes are mostly asana (movements) and fitness based, and may not be accessible to everyone
- Larger classes, more participants
- Pace of class can vary, be much faster, and focus often is fitness based
- Sequences/practices can include upwards of 20-60 movements (asana), interoception may not be cued
- Sequences may include challenging high risk movements
- The peak of the class is a physically challenging pose
- Education of some yoga techniques or benefits may not be offered
Yoga Therapists also work alongside a multidisciplinary team, such as your doctor, chiropractor, physiotherapist, psychologist, and more to ensure you are receiving complete support and care along your journey.
More questions, visit the International Association of Yoga Therapists at https://www.iayt.org/ or let’s connect to discuss more.
Who’s Behind the Scenes
Christina is a CMMOTA Registered Massage Therapist, C-IAYT Yoga Therapist, Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant, and Accessible Yoga Teacher creating inclusive, accessible, and empowering spaces where individuals can experience the therapeutic benefits of these practices. After several years of training and exploration through her own journey of recovery, Christina now shares these practices with others, and her personal experience guides the compassionate and individualized care she offers to each client.
Throughout her healing journey these therapeutic practices have been transformative, guiding Christina toward whole-body wellness and much-needed restoration. She reclaimed agency over her own health finding relief from years of physical pain and tools to nurture her mental and emotional well-being, helping her rebuild her resilience and a renewed sense of vitality.
Christina is now a passionate advocate sharing her experiences and knowledge to support others on their path toward healing and wholeness. Her offerings and training is centered around relief of persistent pain, relief from stress and anxiety, management of chronic disease and illness, injury recovery, pre and post operative support, balance and fall prevention, sleep support, optimizing pelvic health, bone health, brain health, healthy aging, self-care, self-discovery, mindfulness and lifestyle management.
During her time away from helping others, Christina can be found exploring the outdoors and spending time with her animals, friends, and family. When at home, she grows and farms her own food, and anytime she can get away, you’ll find her exploring the vast wilderness by walking, hiking, biking, camping, fishing, swimming, and simply watching.
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