Yoga Therapy
What it is
Called yoga chikitsa in traditional Sanskrit, Yoga Therapy is both an ancient practice and an emerging profession. Yoga Therapy is a holistic approach to well-being that uses the practices of yoga as a catalyst for healing--physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. These yogic practices include postures, breath work, meditation, yogic lifestyle, self-study, and philosophy. In yoga therapy, there is no cookie cutter approach. Each client's plan of care is unique to their needs, situation, and lifestyle.
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Yoga Therapy combines concepts that go back thousands of years with the latest bio-medical research to address symptoms like pain, stress, negative self-talk, fatigue, etc. to support over-all balance. It can be applicable for many different physical and mental health conditions.
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Sessions are a judgement-free zone that encourage self-inquiry, foster mind-body connection, and bring you closer to living an embodied and joyful life.
What it looks like
Yoga Therapy differs from your average yoga class or private yoga session in that it takes your lifestyle, medical background, physical, mental, and emotional health into account. It uses all the tools of yoga, not just asana (postures) to address all the areas of health that may be impacting your condition.
Your first session will begin with a conversation that allows you to share your concerns and reasons for coming, and your yoga therapist may ask benchmark questions to assess stress and energy levels as well as mental and emotional health.
Then, you’ll proceed through posture and breath assessments before trying practices your therapist believes will be helpful. These may include:
postures/movement
breath work
meditation
yogic lifestyle tools
You’ll formulate goals for your yoga therapy journey and, if appropriate, leave your first session with practices to do at home.
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In follow-up sessions, your yoga therapist will continue to assess your well-being, check in on your goals, guide you in new practices, and expand on tools and practices you’ve already begun to use.
Still not sure?
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Book a Free Discovery Call.