What Is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga Therapy is the application of yoga to help alleviate physical and mental health conditions with a view of bringing ease and comfort to everyday activities. The aim is to work holistically encouraging health and well-being by using specific yoga practices and their broad range of known benefits. Yoga Therapy can improve quality of life, such as helping to overcome panic attacks by balancing breathing techniques combating fear and anxiety or if the client is receiving difficult medical treatments such as chemotherapy and how yoga therapy can help them with the ability to cope that empower them.

Yoga therapy can be practiced on a 1-1 basis or in a small group and is appropriate for a wide range of ages and lifestyles.

“Yoga therapy is the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the application of the teachings and practices of Yoga.”
International Association of Yoga Therapists

What is the difference between Yoga and Yoga Therapy?

Yoga Classes
For many yoga, can be regarded a form of exercise which will help students to become stronger and more flexible. However, it is also possible to engage with yoga more than just exercise, by exploring other aspects such as pranayama and meditation. Whether the intention is to view yoga as a form of exercise or a process of self-investigation and self-development, benefits will be gained both for the body and the mind.

Yoga Therapy
Clients who want support or relief from physical and mental ailments may seek out a Yoga Therapist. The therapist will focus on the client’s condition using the techniques of yoga to support the client in order to help them function in everyday life.

Is Yoga Therapy for me? 
Yoga Therapy can be used to treat people with no prior experience of yoga, as well as by those with years of yoga experience. There are a range of mental and physical health conditions which could be helped with Yoga Therapy which can be used in conjunction with any conventional treatment prescribed by a doctor.

Mental Health Conditions

• Anxiety

• Depression

• PTSD

• Schizophrenia

• ADHD

• Alzheimer’s

• Addiction

• Autism

• Post-Natal Depression

What does a Yoga Therapy session involve?

The first session will be an in-depth consultation where medical history will be taken and any issues and concerns discussed. The body, posture, simple movements and the breath will be observed. Working collaboratively a plan for daily practice will be addressed which may consist of asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditation that is tailored to the individual’s needs. The sessions may also include relaxation techniques, Mindfulness, reflection and the promotion of behavioural changes. At least three sessions are recommended, to ensure that we can develop the appropriate treatment.

Minded Yoga Therapy that is unique
Kathy trained with Heather Mason at The Minded Institute over an 18-month period. This course incorporated an in depth focus on psychological conditions, and a detailed study of the benefits of yoga in a variety of chronic health conditions. This unique perspective integrates a high academic level of medical knowledge Buddhism, yoga, neuroscience, psychology and mindfulness.