What is yoga therapy?
Yoga therapy is a science of wellness that looks at the whole person – the physical, energetic, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions. A yoga therapist works 1:1 with clients (and sometimes in small groups), empowering them to transform their health and wellness.
The ideal client (the one who will get the most out of it) is the person who is ready for wellness and willing to do the work it takes to get there. Yoga therapy works when practiced consistently over time with dedication. Yoga therapy is like slow-acting medicine – the effects are cumulative.
What can I expect from a yoga therapy session?
At an initial session, the yoga therapist conducts a thorough intake and assessment. The intake includes reviewing the reason for your visit, your health and wellness goals, medical history, lifestyle, and habits. After a postural and breath assessment, yogic tools are chosen to address any areas that are out of balance. These tools are based on the client’s stated goals and what the therapist observes during the session. Tools are backed by scientific research and may include movement, breath work, meditative exercises, or lifestyle suggestions. When a person moves back towards balance, they are in a position for healing to take place.
Clients receive a customized plan of tools and practices to implement between sessions. The number and frequency of repeat visits will be discussed, and vary from client to client. Adjustments are made to the practice at each session, moving toward the client’s goals. It is recommended that a client commit to at least 6 sessions (and for chronic illness or complex cases, 6 months).
It is important to note that yoga therapists are clinicians who address perceived imbalance; they do not diagnose or treat illness as a medical doctor would. When required care is out of scope, a yoga therapist will make recommendations and referrals to practitioners that may better serve you. Click here to read more about the scope of practice for yoga therapists.
What type of sessions are available?
In-person and virtual sessions available. Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss and ask any questions you may have.
What are the benefits of yoga therapy?
Yoga therapy can effectively address a wide range of structural, physiological and psychological challenges in a comprehensive and in-depth manner. Due to the holistic nature of its evaluation methods and of the remedies offered, yoga therapy excels at addressing multiple health concerns at the same time.
I love to work with people who have chronic/mystery/autoimmune illness, those with a history of trauma, women in transition to menopause, and older adults (65+). Examples of presenting concerns I have worked with include:
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The following website gives a brief overview on the benefits, and there are also links that describe what yoga therapy is as well as links to current research.