Soma Sādhanā

The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) defines Yoga Therapy as “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.” Yoga therapy is a form of complementary and alternative medicine that combines traditional yogic practices with modern therapeutic techniques. It is an integrative approach that aims to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

A Yoga Therapist uses various assessments to to help you on your journey. The tools of yoga that are used include asana or posture and movement practices, pranayama (breath work), meditation, daily routine , sadhanas (which can be understood as a practice as a means of accomplishing something), and self-inquiry to help the client see themselves more clearly to set and achieve goals in a realistic, mindful progression. Yoga therapists need more training—lots more. To be certified as a yoga teacher, instructors need a 200-hour certification. Yoga therapists, however, are not certified until they have at least 1000 hours of training: a 200-hour yoga teacher certification plus 800 hours of additional study accredited by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). Learn more here A Yoga Therapist cannot diagnose, treat or cure. We assess, develop strategies, and offer support for you to execute your plan. The key point to understand is thata yoga therapist uses the tools of yoga and Ayurveda as a lens to assess and support individuals and small groups to set goals and establish corrective strategies for their specific needs.

Individual yoga therapy sessions are personalized and tailored to the specific needs and goals of each individual. The sessions typically involve one-on-one interaction between the yoga therapist and the client. Pre-appointment assessment: Prior to the first appointment, you will receive a personal history form that is aimed at getting you to start thinking about your habits, routines, concerns, and goals. Initial assessment: During the first appointment (typically lasts between 60-90 minutes), the yoga therapist will begin with a review of the personal history form. The form is designed according to the model of the koshas, —physically, energetically, emotionally, in the wisdom body, in the bliss body—not just the pain or other issue . The yoga therapist will ask additional questions regarding daily routines, perform an assessment (i.e. observing you walk, sit, breathe, asking specifics about areas of pain in the body), and clarify a simple goal(s). Based on the session, the yoga therapist will likely have small changes/techniques to try out together and ask you to practice these things until the next session. Follow-up session. The first follow-up session, and any subsequent appointments will last 60 minutes. During the follow-up appointment, you and the yoga therapist will discuss how the small assignment(s) went (any notes, likes, dislikes, etc). The yoga therapist will also practice additional ideas (physical postures, breathing techniques, meditation options) with you based on your goals. To learn more click here

A yoga class and a yoga therapy session can both be extremely therapeutic, but it’s important to identify the differences when choosing what is the right fit for you. Many go to a yoga class for exercise or to be surrounded by like minded people. The classes may have a subject focus, be heated, and the classes may be more general to accommodate an array of abilities and body types. The yoga instructors of a yoga class will have a variety of instructional styles and education. Yoga therapy is a client-centered approach tailored to individual goals and needs and is available to all ages, body types, flexibility, and experience. Yoga therapy can help individuals who are active as well as those who are immobile due to health conditions. Therapists are trained to assess the client by asking thorough questions, listening to the client, observing breath and movement, and using appropriate touch when necessary to achieve the client’s specific goals. A trained yoga therapist will help you to reduce or manage your symptoms, improve function, improve your attitude to your imbalance or disease, help you establish attainable goals, and train you to learn to heal yourself from the inside out. You don’t have to know anything about yoga to begin seeing a yoga therapist.