Yoga Therapy Moment

Yoga therapy is proven to benefit people with a limited range of movement as well as active individuals. The yoga model of health is unique because it addresses every aspect of life rather than considering each body part or system separately. Yoga therapy is a safe way of working with the natural capacity of your body and mind to optimize your overall well-​being. A typical yoga class can certainly ease everyday aches, pains, and mood complaints. However, a dedicated yoga therapy session provides significant benefit because it is tailored to the individual practitioner’s requirements. Yoga therapy connects practitioners to their own innate healing potential. Yoga therapy clients report experiencing improved mood, decreased stress and chronic pain, and much more. There are numerous published research articles in peer-​reviewed journals that describe the benefits provided by yoga therapy.

One mechanism that researchers have discovered is yoga’s ability to positively affect the human nervous system by improving its ability to self-​regulate. Yoga practice uses methods that utilize the mind and the body, this is known in research as top-​down and bottom-​up regulation. Top-​down regulation uses cognitive tools like meditation and ethical inquiry to affect the state of the body, whereas bottom-​up regulation uses the body itself through movement and breathing techniques to change the state of the nervous system and to positively affect thoughts and emotions.

Initially, the yoga therapist will conduct an extensive intake interview to gain insight into how and where the imbalance arose. All information on physical, mental, and emotional levels is considered to create a tailor-​made program with yoga movements, breathing techniques and meditation exercises that are specific to the individual practitioner. The yoga therapy sessions consist of a step-​by-​step process in which the practitioner will notice the difference after the very first session. Between the dedicated sessions, it is advised that practitioners continue to perform the program independently. Information is given to practitioners which contain diagrams and descriptions of all the recommended exercises and techniques. The yoga therapist will provide the practitioner with unique tools to help maintain balance independently from the dedicated yoga therapy sessions.

Code of Ethics

Scope of Practice for Yoga Therapy

Practicing yoga on a regular basis equips us with a comprehensive toolkit to help support the regulation and resilience of the human-​mind-​body system. Yoga therapists provide the necessary tools to aid the practitioner. Regular practice can reduce and eliminate the following symptoms:

• Chronic pain including low-​back pain, arthritis, Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and other types of pain such as that associated with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
• Burnout
• Mental health including concerns like anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), insomnia and others
• Hormonal imbalances
• Neurological issues resulting from stroke, Multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Autoimmune Conditions
• Support for illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease
• Recovery from Illness or Injury
• Improve general health and well-being

• Improved mood

Regular yoga practice has been shown to increase the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of well-​being and happiness. This can help alleviate symptoms of depression and improve mood.

• Decreased stress

Yoga incorporates relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness. These practices help reduce the body’s stress response, leading to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. As a result, you may feel less anxious and more relaxed, which can improve your overall mood.

• Decreased chronic pain

Yoga involves various physical postures and movements that can increase blood circulation and release endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers. Engaging in physical activity, even in the form of a gentle yoga practice, can help boost your mood and energy levels.

• Improve sleep
• More energy

The world we live in seems to be moving faster and faster. We are continuously fed by an endless stream of information available 24/​7 through our mobile devices. We are plagued by too many outside stimuli and hardly get the chance to pick up our own signals. We get out of balance, get complaints and if we keep going we eventually get sick.

The way we deal with complaints and illnesses is anything but sustainable. We want the quick fix so you don’t miss out on that fast life. We often forget that we are much more than just bodies.

Yoga therapy stimulates our body awareness, it improves contact with our own body. In a conscious way we can receive signals in time and respond appropriately from our intuition to restore and maintain our balance.