For years now, I have had the good fortune of being able to witness how my yoga classes have touched so many lives and helped so many people. In recent times, I have had more and more people approach me for targeted therapy yoga which goes further than simply attending a yoga class. This is targeted therapy that uses a holistic approach to help resolve a range of problems ranging from the mental to the physical, psychosomatic as well as physiological. For the benefit of my readers, I will explain the basics about therapy yoga and how it works:
How is therapy yoga different from yoga?
While regular yoga classes are conducted in groups and concentrate mainly on physical exercise and breathing techniques, yoga therapy is a more holistic solution. Therapy yoga also encompasses counselling sessions that focus not just on the physical aspect of wellbeing but also the emotional, psychological and spiritual wellbeing of a person. Hence therapy yoga includes psychotherapy in addition to physical therapies. It is meant to not only improve physical health but also to uncover the root causes of problems such as depression and anxiety.
Therapy yoga is now used to treat a range of problems such as schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and substance abuse. It can help improve quality of life for children with autism or special needs. This is in addition to established yoga protocols for chronic pain, fatigue, hormonal imbalances, asthma and to help cancer survivors deal with the side effects of cancer treatments. Therapy yoga can be used as a standalone treatment or as complementary to other treatments undergone in parallel.
One on one consultations and group therapy
Therapy yoga generally consists of one-on-one sessions. In some cases, there could be group sessions conducted in the event of families or other small groups who want to receive treatment together. In these sessions, various treatment protocols may be used in accordance with the requirements of each case. In other words, the therapy is targeted in nature; customized for the given persons, their health, special needs and set of circumstances. As such it would include not only yoga sessions, but also rehabilitative care, psychotherapy and so on. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques will also be included in therapy yoga to enhance physical and mental health as required. A person’s diet also receives due attention and diet modifications may also be suggested for the best possible outcomes.
Prevention and maintenance
The aim of yoga therapy is not just a quick fix to make the person feel better for the time being. The idea is to arm people with the insight and the coping mechanisms to continue to live a healthier, more intuitive life with a higher degree of self-awareness and self-care. The goal is to transform lives for the better and to help a person be the best version of their selves. In other words, it is important not to lapse into the old, harmful habits and behavior patterns and to incorporate yoga and other healthy habits into one’s everyday lifestyle. Prevention and maintenance of a healthy body and mind are important constituents of therapy yoga.
You can hear from people who have benefited from therapy yoga here.