What IS Yoga Therapy?

“In yoga, only the student matters. The teacher is there to help that individual evolve according to his or her unique situation and potential.” T. Krishnamacharya

Most commonly the queries around ‘what is yoga therapy?’ are questions pertaining to its differences to yoga. It’s important to clarify that whilst yoga therapy has a different structural approach that relate to the specific goals presented in the individual, yoga therapy is not outside of, nor larger, than yoga. Yoga Therapy sits within the complete system of yoga as a professionally-assisted modality, utilizing the tools of yoga, for self-empowered redirection out of presenting problems. To put it simply, yoga therapy is that component of the broader framework of yoga that is within the parameters of science, whereas yoga is to go beyond science and come to that which cannot be measured.

In the yogic constitution, exist the panca (five) mayam. These are the five intricately woven-together components of our individual constitutions, separated into five, purely for the act of study. These panca mayam are:

Anamayam (Physical)
Pranayamam (Physiological)
Manomayam (Psychological)
Vijnanamayam (Deeper)
Anandamayam (Bliss Body)

Problems within any one of us can present in the first four mayam and a problem in one of the four mayam can affect the other three. These problems will become a distraction that inhibit someone from being able to focus with full efficiency to their daily life, as well act as obstacles on the spiritual path of yoga – how can anyone focus on their journey from the mind to the bliss, when they are suffering in their body, breath or mind? Yoga therapy targets these specific problems at body, breath and mind level to put students back on their path again. When these obstacles are removed and functional efficiency is restored, then a student’s full attention can be returned to the deeper, more subtle aspects of yoga or simply to the full dedication to the duties of their life. 

Of course, the deeper processes of yoga are happening simultaneously, as injury and illness are part of the spiritual journey but Yoga Therapy focuses directly on the presenting physical/physiological or psychological problems of the individual. In the same way that many find some therapeutic benefits of yoga in a general setting as instructed and or educated by the Yoga Teacher as that is the nature of the tools. Some yoga classes will even be offered for specific conditions like pregnancy or back pain.  These are group classes that have some specific techniques used to support these conditions and provide general health information. Some people will go a step further to attend one-to-one yoga sessions taught by a yoga teacher to improve their particular practice in some way. A necessary and key component of Yoga Therapy however, is the extensive individual assessment (pariksa) undertaken to understand the student’s individual condition before a specific practice – utilizing any or all tools of yoga: asana, pranayama, chanting, mudra, bhanda etc - is prescribed for that person and that person alone.

Often people attend Yoga Therapy with an intention of support for a condition, symptom or some deviation from wholeness.  The nervous system functions on a perceived safety feedback process; either determining threat and readying the system to take action, shutdown or optout.  These external messages are integrated and communicated through brain and body via way of neurotransmitters and neurochemicals which are never silent in the way we function in society today.  Unhealed trauma, perceived threat; conditioned by early programming, diet, genetics and many other factors contribute to this upregulated nervous system function that has the capacity to place any part of the constitution into either hyper/hypo or simultaneous hyper/hypo states of disfunction. Studies have shown that the tools of yoga can restore regulation of the nervous system and in this arrest flow-on potential problems. Yoga Therapy specifically uses these tools to target the individuals own unique embodiment of negative factors, helping to also identify and work toward the dissolution of aggravating factors.

Yoga Therapists undergo extensive training as a Post Grad to Yoga Teacher training to assess and support the individual directly with the knowledge within them but as it applies to the individual in front of them. Ill health and chronic injury are often compounded by multiple contributing factors.  For this reason, Yoga Therapy engages in an holistic approach, encompassing the wellbeing of the whole person including the psychological impact of any condition. In other words, Yoga Therapy targets the problem, as well as the problems of the problem.  The Yoga Therapy assessment is multifaceted and encompasses all areas of the individual.  It is with this assessment that the Yoga Therapist seeks to ascertain the core issue/s and causes that seed the presenting issues including belief systems, lifestyle and other personal challenges to create highly individualized practices that work hand in hand with the student’s own goals.

Sutra 2:15 Parinama-Tapa-Samskara-Duhkaih-Gunavritti-Virodhat-Ca-Dukham-Eva-Sarvam-Vivekinah - Sri Patanjali   What are the cause of unpleasant or painful effects?

The techniques that a Yoga Therapist may utilize include asana (postures), pranayama (breath awareness and techniques), mudra (gestures), visualisations, chanting, relaxation, meditation, dietary advice, lifestyle counselling and self-development guidance. These practices are applied to ensure increased functional efficiency and strengthening (where appropriate) at all levels: physical, pranic (vayus, nadis and cakras) as well as psychological and deeper. Due to its comprehensive nature, Yoga Therapy works as a supportive and complimentary modality across the broadest spectrum of ailments from addiction recovery to spinal injuries, diabetes to insomnia, chronic pain to cardiac conditions.

A Yoga therapist guides the process of self-study (svadhyaya) so that the student can reach a deep place of self-understanding. In knowing themselves, the student can become more empowered, more refined in the maintenance and management of their own daily health needs moving forward.

'Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self' - The Bhagavad Gita

Yoga therapists are Yoga Teachers with substantial additional training (a minimum of 2 years study and practical mentoring with ongoing requirements for professional development) to be able to work at this deeper level with vulnerable or fragile students in a therapeutic setting.  A Yoga Therapist draws from the principles of Yoga and the full range of Yoga practices, bio-medical knowledge and assessment skills to establish a professional relationship with the student. Together, the therapist and student develop a self-empowering therapeutic program appropriate to the student’s individual needs.  As a student walks their own specific path in the opposite direction of their problem, they are guided by the Yoga Therapist with ongoing review, progress and assessment until the student is ready, with a good understanding of the tools at hand, to walk the path on their own.

Yoga Therapy Sessions: What To Expect…

Yoga Therapy empowers and supports individuals to manage their own health using the principles of Yoga and applying a range of Yoga tools developed within this professional therapeutic relationship.  Yoga Therapy is most commonly provided by way of an individual consultation, although small therapeutic groups may be offered for those working toward a common goal such as a couple working toward the overcoming of fertility issues.  Yoga therapy is an adjunct to other healthcare supports and a Yoga Therapist is qualified to work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support your wellness. 

No prior yoga experience is necessary to benefit from Yoga Therapy, it is the role of the Therapist to support and instruct you to employ the techniques at your level of knowledge, capacity and wellbeing. Yoga Therapy by nature is to meet everybody - regardless of age, fitness, state of health, belief system or prior experience of yoga - where they are at. In this, Yoga Therapy is suitable for all people.

A Yoga Therapy session usually runs for 60 to 90 minutes. A student should expect to attend more than one session over several months to ensure a) that the techniques of practice are being executed in the best possible way, b) to confirm they are working in the direction of the goal and c) to ensure that as the student progresses out of the problem, the practice progresses with the student.

Co-Authored by Lissie Turner C-AAYT and Ellen Nash C-IAYT / C-AAYT