What is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga therapy is the professional application of the principles and practices of yoga to support your health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship. According to the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), yoga therapy involves personalized assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management, and tailored yoga practices for individuals or small groups.

Unlike a regular yoga class, yoga therapy is specifically designed to address your unique needs—whether those are physical, mental, or emotional. A certified yoga therapist draws on the full spectrum of yoga’s tools: movement (asana), breathwork (pranayama), meditation, mindfulness, and more, adapting them to help you manage symptoms, improve function, and move toward your personal goals.

Yoga therapy recognizes that we’re all multidimensional beings—body, breath, mind, emotions, and spirit—and that intelligent, individualized practice can positively influence all these aspects. The aim isn’t just short-term relief, but lasting transformation: reducing suffering, improving quality of life, and empowering you to change your relationship with your condition or challenges.

Sessions are collaborative and compassionate. Your yoga therapist will work with you to create a plan that fits your life, whether you’re recovering from injury, managing chronic illness, coping with stress, or simply seeking greater balance and resilience.

Yoga therapy is informed by both ancient wisdom and modern science, with a growing body of research supporting its effectiveness for a wide range of health concerns1. It’s not a replacement for medical or psychological care, but a complementary approach that meets you where you are and helps you move forward—one breath, one step, one practice at a time.

If you’re curious about how yoga therapy could support your health and well-being, reach out to a certified yoga therapist to learn more about this holistic, evidence-informed approach.