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Yoga and Yoga Therapy

Health Articles | Health Products | Therapies | Yoga Therapy

What Is The Difference Between Yoga and Yoga Therapy? by Anna Blackmore

What is yoga therapy?

Yoga therapy is a relatively modern discipline, which has evolved out of combining yoga with western medical science. It tailors yoga practices to the individual, whilst taking medical considerations into account. Thus yoga therapy is more specific and effective than general yoga practice as a safe means of enhancing treatment of medical conditions and providing relief from the symptoms. No prior experience of yoga is necessary before starting and yoga therapy does not require any particular level of fitness or flexibility.

Yoga therapists are experienced yoga teachers who have undergone further training in anatomy, physiology and pathology, as well as the therapeutic applications of yoga.

Yoga therapy can also be used to select certain yoga techniques and types of practice for a particular effect. For example, as a quick pick-me-up, instead of having a cup of coffee you can do a short sequence of yoga postures to activate your heart and lungs and immediately lift your mood and increase your energy level. If you are having trouble winding down or sleeping, a few restorative postures, just before bed, will relax your body and calm your mind.

Sometimes we are attracted to a style of practice because it matches what we are used to. Thus people with hectic life styles often go for a dynamic yoga practice and people who do not exercise or challenge themselves much may think they want a slow gentle practice. However, a yoga therapist would aim to design a practice both to suit the personality and to balance the body to help energise and/or replenish it.

Yoga contains some very powerful techniques for deep relaxation and many modern stress-management methods are based on these. Deep relaxation enables the most profound healing to take place. Yoga therapy incorporates restorative yoga, in which you are placed in a comfortable supported version of a posture for several minutes. This allows the the deep muscles of the inner body to relax and releases deep, chronic tension, which we have often ceased to be aware of. It can also enable the unconscious memories and emotions, behind the tension, to surface and be released and thus to break the cycle maintaining it.

The most powerful aspect of yoga is that it helps us to use our minds more effectively. The ancient yogis understood that we become what we think about. In a yoga therapy session the therapist can help you to reframe a positive thought intention for healing and achieving your personal goals, which is specific to you.  

What happens in a session?

The first visit begins with an assessment of your condition and your aims. You will then be guided through some simple yoga movements, postures and breathing exercises which are selected as being most likely to suit your needs. In some of these you will be actively moving, in time to your breathing, and in others you will be still. In the still postures you will either be holding a strengthening pose for a short time or consciously relaxing onto support, while focusing on deep, slow rhythmic breathing.

The postures strengthen, stretch and open particular areas of the body. This helps realign the structure and enhances nutrition and waste removal from the internal organs. They also rebalance the subtle energy channels (nadis / meridians).  

The breathing exercises help regulate your breathing, increase your lung capacity and energy levels, calm your mind and also act to balance your energetic system. You will also be given some form of guided visualisation and relaxation at the beginning and/or the end of the practice.

How many sessions does one need?

The initial consultation and session helps determine whether yoga therapy seems suitable for you. Then you would come for a series of sessions (5-12), preferably weekly, during which there is a process of exploration and discovery whereby we find the postures and techniques which work best. From this your individual programme is drawn up for you to take away, practise at home and keep as part of your own personal self help kit. For some people this is all they require. Others continue for several successive series of sessions, building up a longer or more advanced programme, or return after a month or two to have it adjusted.

What conditions does it help?

Current medical research both in India and the West [Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute (Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute) International Association of Yoga Therapists ( International Association of Yoga Therapists)]  is providing increasing evidence that yoga therapy is a useful and effective tool for helping treat many conditions. Sequences can in fact be devised for almost any purpose, ranging from relieving constipation or headaches to boosting confidence and helping to clarify life goals.

A non exhaustive list includes:

• spinal problems; herniated ('slipped') disc, scoliosis, sprains and strains
• degenerative diseases
• joints injuries and arthritis
• heart conditions and high or low blood pressure
• asthma and other breathing problems
• digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome
• diabetes
• multiple scelorosis
• chronic fatigue
• stress related problems
• fibromyalgia
• infertility and menstrual disorders
• insomnia
• anxiety, panic attacks and depression.
(People suffering from a psychosis would need a referral from their psychiatrist)

Is it safe to do yoga therapy alongside medical treatment?

The aim of Yoga is to cultivate integration of body mind and spirit. It balances both the physical structure and the subtle energy system and enhances the innate healing mechanisms. When the whole system functions at its best, these naturally repair the tissues, replenish and restore the proper functioning of the various bodily systems, ward off infection, keep the emotions balanced and impart a sense of ease within oneself and in the world.

Yoga Therapy can be practised in conjunction with any medical treatments you are already receiving, and also in tandem with other complementary therapies. It is however essential to check with your doctor before embarking on a yoga therapy course and important to inform any other health practitioner you are seeing.

Coyright 2006 Anna Blackmore | www.yogabodymind.co.uk