Yoga therapy (YT) is rooted in the same philosophical principles as traditional yoga. So, why the distinction? While yoga, in its many forms, promotes overall well-being, yoga therapy focuses on therapeutic relationships, offering tailored interventions for specific health conditions.
According to the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), “Yoga therapy is the application of the principles and practices of yoga to promote health and well-being in the context of a therapeutic relationship, including a personal assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management, and individualized or small-group yoga practices.”
Yoga is often practiced to maintain preventive health and general balance, led by an instructor guiding postures, movements, breathing, and meditation techniques. In contrast, yoga therapy is a personalized intervention designed for specific health challenges, complementing—not replacing—existing medical treatments. It enhances healing by bringing the client into greater presence, calmness, and awareness of their healing journey.
In yoga therapy, practices are developed with clear objectives, considering the individual’s physical constitution, medical history, energy levels, mental state, and unique needs. To do this, a yoga therapist combines yoga’s philosophical depth with relevant biomedical knowledge, helping integrate yoga with other medical treatments. Yoga therapists also respect the scope of their practice, identifying contraindications and referring clients to specialists when needed.
At its core, yoga therapy fosters safety, empathy, and open communication to support the client’s self-discovery and autonomy. Healing in yoga therapy occurs both from the outside in and from the inside out. The therapist’s role is to illuminate this transformative journey.
Further reading
Vasudevan, Saraswathi (2024) Roots of yoga therapy – Tracing the trajectory of illness and healing. Yoga Therapy Today. Spring Edition: 34-39. Source: https://www.iayt.org/page/YTT_Landing
