​What is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga Therapy is the practice of yoga as a modality of healing.
Yoga Therapy offers a proactive or reactive approach to health concerns and wellness, holistically.
Yoga Therapy adapts the ancient philosophy of the ayurvedic practices of nutrition and self-care, along with the yoga tradition of Patanjali's 8 Limbs of Yoga. Which include meditation, breathing exercises and movement of the body.
Yoga Therapists are trained to prescribe specific regimens to optimize the health of the individual.
Who can benefit from Yoga Therapeutics?
Yoga Therapy is ideal for those who wish to create restoration in their lives, physically, mentally and emotionally. Typically, a personal session includes an Intake or consultation that allows the Therapist to understand your acute and chronic ailments and/or areas of your lifestyle that you wish to improve. Then, a wellness plan will be developed, similar to working with a Therapist in other areas of practice. However, the plan of action will include a holistic approach to your health and well-being with a practitioner to help monitor your progress over time and make adjustments as needed.
Below are a few examples:
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Pre-Natal, Post-Natal Care
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Injury
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Weight Loss
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Recovery
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Post Medical Intervention (Chemo, etc.)
Is Yoga Therapy different from Yoga Class or Private?
YES!
Yoga Therapy is a specialized area of practice.
Yoga Therapists are certified by the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Yoga Therapists have a minimum of 800 Hours of Study, most with over 1000 hours upon completion. To provide perspective a Massage Therapist has 600-650 Hours of minimum requirement to meet State accreditation. Yoga Teachers typically have a minimum of 200 hours to begin teaching in group and one-on-one settings. With most advanced yoga teachers having 500 hours of minimum study.
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Additional training and certifications are typical as well, especially in the areas of Ayurveda, Prenatal Yoga, Trauma-Informed Yoga, to name a few...
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Keep in mind, Yoga Teachers (not Therapists) may still be certified to offer services similar to Yoga Therapy services and can work in this specialized area in one-on-one private sessions. The main difference will be the personalized approach to your long-term wellness and healing approach, beyond the reason for your visit.
An approach to lifelong wellness...
Yoga can be life enhancing, life changing and healing. Yoga is simple but it is not easy. Yoga requires you to do deep healing work introspectively, daily. It opens you up to a new opportunity for a lifelong practice of wellness. You will forever be changed. Once you get to know yourself, you will want to grow that personal relationship like a tree towards the sun.
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Mind - Body - Spirit
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Still want to learn more? GREAT!
Have a listen, past episode on Yoga Podcast
"Yoga Teacher or Yoga Therapist"
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