Home What is Yoga Therapy?
banner
What is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga Therapy is a self-empowering process, where the care-seeker, in relationship with the Yoga Therapist, implements a personalized and evolving Yoga practice, that not only addresses the root cause of personal pain, disease and illness at the physical level, but also facilitates healing in the person at all levels of their being including their physiological, psychological and spiritual dimensions.

Client Responsibility

Rather than prescribe treatments, the Yoga Therapy process invites presence, awareness and full participation. Through consistent, earnest Yoga practice, we come to love, honor, respect and trust ourselves at a deep level. It is through self exploration and self realization that healing occurs. Coming to understand the root cause of our imbalances is key to the Yoga Therapy process.

This is why it is essential for the client to do his or her "work" during the healing process.

Therapist Responsibility

The Yoga Therapist creatively and compassionately guides and mentors the client so that doing their "work" is not a task, but an evolutionary process that unfolds deeper self understanding, self discovery, and pro active change.

Tools for the Healing Process

There are many simple tools in Yoga Therapy that may support the healing process. These include yoga postures adapted to the needs of the individual, breath practices, relaxation techniques, self-inquiry and contemplation practices, postural corrections and dietary and lifestyle considerations. Additional therapies including mantra, mudra, prayer, journaling, affirmative thinking, selfless service and expressing oneself creatively may be suggested.Together, the Yoga Therapist and client explore and agree on the tools that best support the healing process. This process evolves and changes from session to session and is based on the dedicated work of the client.

Celebrating Healing

Normally, within weeks, an initial sense of relief and health are realized, and within a short time, the client and Therapist are celebrating a new doorway to lasting health and healing.

 

Yoga therapy is an experiential process that creates the development of self awareness and promotes self regulation. This serves as the foundation for healing. As we progress in our yoga practice, we shift our focus away from physical and mental limitations towards our highest potential, away from weakness towards health. away from pain towards well being, and away from stress towards relaxation, contentment and joy.

- Gary Kraftsow