Yoga Therapy

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Yoga Therapy — Evidence & Practitioners | Gyfts

Background

Origin & History

Yoga originated in ancient India over 5,000 years ago as a comprehensive system for physical, mental, and spiritual development. The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root "yuj," meaning to unite or yoke - referring to the union of body, mind, and spirit.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, written around 400 CE, codified yoga philosophy and practice into an eight-limbed path. However, yoga as therapeutic intervention is relatively modern. In the early 20th century, pioneers like Krishnamacharya and his students (including B.K.S. Iyengar and Indra Devi) began adapting yoga for specific health conditions.

Yoga therapy emerged as a distinct field in the 1980s when practitioners recognized the need to differentiate therapeutic applications from general yoga classes. The International Association of Yoga Therapists, founded in 1989, established professional standards and training requirements.

Today, yoga therapy integrates traditional yogic wisdom with modern medical understanding. Therapists assess individual conditions and create personalized practices addressing specific health concerns while respecting physical limitations.

The practice

How It Works

A qualified yoga therapist begins with a health intake covering medical history, current symptoms, medications, and movement limitations. Sessions are then built around that picture — not a fixed class format. Practices are modified or sequenced specifically for the individual, and may include seated, supine, or supported positions depending on what is safe and appropriate.

The mechanisms are better understood than for many complementary approaches. Yoga therapy acts through several simultaneous pathways: improving musculoskeletal strength and flexibility, regulating the autonomic nervous system through breath control and vagal stimulation, reducing circulating stress hormones, lowering inflammatory markers, and building interoceptive awareness — the ability to sense and interpret internal body signals, which is particularly relevant in trauma and chronic pain recovery.

Yoga therapy is not yoga class. A yoga teacher is not a yoga therapist. Yoga therapists undertake additional clinical training in anatomy, pathology, and therapeutic adaptation — typically at postgraduate level. The distinction matters: generalised yoga classes carry a risk of injury or inappropriate loading for people with medical conditions. Therapeutic yoga should always be individualised, evidence-informed, and delivered by someone trained to work within a health context. Research consistently shows that sustained practice over weeks to months produces the most durable results.

What to Expect in a Session

A typical first yoga therapy session lasts 60-90 minutes.

Initial Assessment (60-90 minutes):

The yoga therapist begins with a comprehensive intake, asking about your health history, current concerns, medications, physical limitations, stress levels, sleep patterns, and goals. They may assess your movement patterns, breathing, posture, and energy levels.

Unlike a diagnosis, this assessment identifies imbalances and areas to address through yoga practices. The therapist considers your whole person - not just physical symptoms but also mental, emotional, and lifestyle factors.

Creating Your Practice (30-45 minutes):

Based on the assessment, the therapist designs a personalized yoga practice specifically for you. This typically includes:

• Asanas (postures) adapted to your abilities and therapeutic goals

• Pranayama (breathing practices) to regulate your nervous system

• Meditation or mindfulness techniques

• Relaxation practices

• Possibly dietary or lifestyle guidance

The therapist teaches you these practices, ensuring proper form and safety. Everything is adapted to your current condition - no flexibility or previous yoga experience required.

Home Practice:

You are given a written or video practice to do at home, typically 15-30 minutes daily. This isn't optional - consistent home practice is where healing happens. The therapist creates something sustainable for your schedule and abilities.

Follow-up Sessions (45-60 minutes):

Usually every 2-4 weeks, you review progress, refine practices, address challenges, and adjust your program as you improve. The therapist may add new techniques or simplify your routine. Treatment length varies - some issues resolve in weeks, chronic conditions may benefit from ongoing practice.

Evidence Assessment

Yoga therapy has substantial research support across multiple conditions.

Strong evidence exists for

Chronic low back pain (comparable to physical therapy)
Anxiety and depression (significant symptom reduction)
PTSD and trauma (body-based healing)
Cardiovascular health (blood pressure, heart rate regulation)
Sleep quality improvement

Moderate evidence for

Arthritis and joint pain
Fibromyalgia

References

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is yoga therapy and how does it differ from a regular yoga class?

Yoga therapy is the individualised, clinically-informed application of yoga practices to specific health conditions, injuries, or therapeutic goals. Unlike a group yoga class designed for general wellness, yoga therapy involves a detailed intake assessment, a personalised practice developed for your specific presentation, and progressive adaptation over time. A qualified yoga therapist (holding C-IAYT certification from the International Association of Yoga Therapists) works as part of a broader healthcare picture — often alongside physiotherapists, psychologists, or medical professionals.

What conditions can yoga therapy support?

Yoga therapy has evidence across a wide range of conditions. The strongest evidence is for chronic low back pain, anxiety, depression, PTSD, cancer-related fatigue and distress, cardiovascular disease risk, and chronic pain. It is also used therapeutically for multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, scoliosis, COPD, arthritis, and post-surgical rehabilitation. The adaptability of yoga — using breath, movement, relaxation, and meditation in varying combinations — means it can be tailored to almost any health presentation, including those for whom conventional exercise is not accessible.

Is yoga therapy safe for people with serious health conditions?

Yes, when properly delivered by a trained yoga therapist. One of the core competencies of yoga therapy training is the ability to adapt practices safely for complex medical presentations. A yoga therapist will liaise with your medical team where appropriate, modify or contra-indicate specific practices based on your condition, and progress your practice carefully. Self-directed yoga from a general class is not the same — for serious conditions, always work with a qualified yoga therapist rather than adapting general classes yourself.

How many sessions of yoga therapy are typically needed?

This depends on the condition and goals. For an acute issue (post-surgical recovery, short-term stress), a series of 6–8 sessions may be sufficient to establish an effective self-practice. For chronic conditions (persistent pain, long-term mental health presentations, neurological conditions), ongoing therapeutic support across months or years is common. Most yoga therapists aim to build the client's capacity for independent self-practice — reducing dependence on the therapist over time rather than fostering ongoing reliance.

What should I expect from my first yoga therapy session?

Your first session will typically be longer than subsequent ones — 60–90 minutes — and will focus primarily on intake: your health history, current symptoms, lifestyle, previous experience of yoga or movement, and your goals. The therapist may assess your range of movement, posture, and breathing patterns. A short, tailored practice may be introduced at the end. You will likely leave with simple practices to explore between sessions. Subsequent sessions build progressively from this foundation, with the practice evolving as your response is reviewed.

Ask Vidi about Yoga Therapy

Origin & History

How It Works

What to Expect in a Session

Strong evidence exists for

Moderate evidence for

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Commonly used for

Chronic pain

Symptoms practitioners commonly work with

Mechanisms are well-studied

Important context