What Is Yoga Therapy And How Is It Different from Yoga?
Yoga therapy is not just another yoga class. According to the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), it is “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.”
In simpler terms: yoga therapy adapts the full spectrum of yoga practices—postures, breathwork, meditation, and relaxation—to meet a person’s unique health needs. It focuses not only on easing symptoms but also on helping people improve function, prevent recurrence of illness, and shift their relationship with their condition.
How Yoga Therapy Differs from General Yoga
General Yoga Classes
Group classes with a single sequence designed for everyone.
Teachers provide general guidance with limited assessment of individual needs.
Primary focus: fitness, flexibility, relaxation, and stress relief.
Yoga Therapy
One-on-one or small group sessions tailored to each person’s health concerns.
Therapists conduct assessments, consider medical/emotional history, and adapt practices safely.
Primary focus: managing or reducing symptoms, improving function, supporting recovery, and fostering emotional resilience.
Mental and Emotional Benefits
1. Stress Reduction
Yoga therapy activates the body’s relaxation response, lowering stress hormones, improving sleep, and promoting calm.
2. Emotional Regulation
Practices like breath awareness and meditation help people observe emotions without being overwhelmed, reducing reactivity and supporting healthier coping strategies.
3. Mental Health Support
Evidence shows yoga therapy reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, often serving as a safe and effective complementary treatment.
4. Self-Awareness and Perspective Shift
Yoga therapy fosters deeper connection with body and mind, cultivating self-compassion and resilience, and helping individuals change how they relate to stress or illness.
Physical Benefits
1. Improved Mobility and Posture
Gentle, personalized movement increases flexibility and supports healthy alignment.
2. Increased Strength and Balance
Adapted poses build functional strength while improving stability and coordination.
3. Pain Relief
Research shows yoga therapy can ease chronic pain, particularly in the back, joints, and muscles.
4. Better Breathing and Nervous System Balance
Breath practices enhance lung capacity, support efficient breathing, and help regulate the nervous system.
Why Yoga Therapy Matters
General yoga classes are wonderful for community, fitness, and relaxation. But yoga therapy offers something different: a safe, evidence-informed, and personalized approach designed to address specific health concerns—whether physical, emotional, or mental. By meeting people where they are, yoga therapy provides tools for healing, resilience, and long-term well-being.
References
BMC Translational Medicine. (2022). A randomized controlled trial of yoga training for women with PTSD following motor-vehicle accident. Read more
British Journal of Sports Medicine. (2021). Effects of yoga on depressive symptoms in people with a range of mental disorders. Read more
Frontiers in Public Health. (2024). Yoga as a therapeutic approach to mental health in university students: A randomized controlled trial. Read more
International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). (2020). Definition of Yoga Therapy. Read more
MDPI Psychology. (2022). Yoga as an integrative therapy for mental health concerns. Read more
Moosburner, S., et al. (2024). Yoga for depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders. Read more
PLOS One. (2017). Treating major depression with yoga: An 8-week hatha yoga intervention. Read more
