Yoga Therapy ~ Yoga as a healing journey toward wholeness
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOGA AND YOGA THERAPY?
All yoga is therapeutic. However, Yoga Therapy makes use of yoga practices
with a specific focus on the health and wellness of the individual at all levels-- physical, psychological and spiritual. All postures and practices are customized to an individual’s ability and comfort.
WHAT IS A YOGA THERAPY CLASS LIKE?
Yoga Therapy Classes offer a variety of yoga postures, breathing exercises, guided imagery, awareness exercises, deep relaxation, mudras (yoga positions for the hands) and meditation to help reduce physical, mental and emotional stress. Many of these practices are subtle and ancient.
Yoga Therapy Classes focus on a particular condition, such as weight management, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, etc.
In a Yoga Therapy Class, movement and postures are important but awareness exercises, deep relaxation and meditation practices are just as important in helping students reduce stress levels and increase feelings of mental clarity and well-being.
Modifications are offered, and all students are encouraged to participate at their own level of ability and comfort. A Yoga Therapy Class is typically 75-90 minutes.
WHAT IS A PRIVATE YOGA THERAPY SESSION LIKE?
Private Yoga Therapy sessions with Cathy Harmon, Integrative Yoga Therapist, are based on a therapeutic model developed by Joseph LePage, founder of Integrative Yoga Therapy www.iytyogatherapy.com
Private Yoga Therapy sessions are typically 75-90 minutes in length. Based on the needs of the individual, private therapy sessions include a variety of yoga postures and movements, breathing techniques, awareness exercises, mudras, guided imagery, deep relaxation and meditation.
One difference between a class and a private Yoga Therapy session is the amount of time spent on the Intake, Assessment and Feedback process for the individual.
Because each session is dedicated to one person, there is time for the yoga therapist to listen carefully to what the client wants and needs, make physical assessments, and then address those wants, needs, strengths and weaknesses in subsequent sessions.
At the completion of a private Yoga Therapy session the student receives a written plan for home practice.
Movement is the song of the body. We sing when we are
happy and the body goes with it like waves in the sea.
Vanda Scaravelli
Some Current Definitions of Yoga Therapy from pioneers in the field
Excerpted from the International Association for Yoga Therapists (IAYT)
www.iayt.org
"Yoga therapy is that facet of the ancient science of Yoga that focuses on health and wellness at all levels of the person: physical, psychological, and spiritual. Yoga therapy focuses on the path of Yoga as a healing journey that brings balance to the body and mind through an experiential understanding of the primary intention of Yoga: awakening of Spirit, our essential nature."
Joseph Le Page, MA, Integrative Yoga Therapy
"Yoga therapy is a self-empowering process, where the care-seeker, with the help of the Yoga therapist, implements a personalized and evolving Yoga practice, that not only addresses the illness in a multi-dimensional manner, but also aims to alleviate his/her suffering in a progressive, non-invasive and complementary manner.
Depending upon the nature of the illness, Yoga therapy can not only be preventative or curative, but also serve a means to manage the illness, or facilitate healing in the person at all levels."
TKV & Kausthub Desikachar
"Yoga therapy, derived from the Yoga tradition of Patanjali and the Ayurvedic system of health care refers to the adaptation and application of Yoga techniques and practices to help individuals facing health challenges at any level manage their condition, reduce symptoms, restore balance, increase vitality, and improve attitude."
Gary Kraftsow, American Viniyoga Institute
