What’s the difference between Yoga and Yoga therapy?

Yoga and yoga therapy are related practices, but they have some important key differences.

Most people now have some basic understanding of what yoga is, however yoga is a vast practice and there are still some misconceptions. 

Yoga, despite what you might see online, is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India. Yoga practice involves various physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), and meditation techniques to promote physical and mental well-being.

Many people assume yoga is only a physical practice and is treated like an exercise class. However, yoga has an eight-limbed path which starts with disciplines, duties, and observances. These are guidelines on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life.

What is yoga? 

The practice of yoga is vast and there are many different styles of yoga including hatha, vinyasa, ashtangha, yin, restorative, kundalini, Iyengar, pregnancy yoga and many more. 

The type of class offered will depend on the teachers training and experience. When you attend a yoga class there will be a style of yoga and perhaps a different theme which might be focussed on a part of the body such as shoulders, legs, a posture such as wheel, headstand, or based on yoga philosophy. The teacher will plan a class and take you through the class ( hopefully offering options for postures but this doesn’t always happen in a group class) 

I’ve personally practiced yoga for over two decades, and I’ve worked with clients and students for the past 10 years. In my experience, there are many reasons people come to yoga, including stress relief, mental health, flexibility, movement, back pain, to complement a sport, or to help them sleep. Most people have a health condition that is a motivating factor to start a yoga practice and improve their health.

Becoming a yoga teacher now requires completing a 200hr teacher training no matter what your experience of a personal yoga practice. When I completed my yoga teacher training, there was an application process, a minimum of seven years of personal practice required along with a reference from my yoga teacher.

There are many reasons people also train as a yoga teacher; often, it’s had some profound effect on their lives, and they want to share that with others. For someone who’s been in the yoga world for 25 years, it’s great to see the practice expand and be available to everyone. Often people become yoga teachers because they are ‘good at yoga’, meaning they are good at the postures and have a good level of flexibility; they can make it look easy. Another common background of a yoga teacher is dance or gymnastics.

I was one of those people who pushed themselves and wanted to ‘be good’ at the practice, but I was also undergoing investigations for hip pain, and there were many times I had to scale back on the physical practice, or it felt painful. I completed my yoga teacher training after my surgery and had a mindset of recovery. I was also training under a physiotherapist at the same time.

“Yoga therapy is the application of yoga to individuals to empower them to progress toward greater health and freedom from disease. “ 

Ganesh Mohan, Syastha Yoga and Ayurveda

What is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga therapy and Ayurveda are sister sciences and are believed to be one of the oldest systems of holistic therapy, to prevent and treat dis-ease and maintain well-being. 

Yoga therapy is a specialized form of yoga with specialized training with a deeper level of anatomy, physiology, mental health, and consistent personal practice. A yoga therapist has the expertise to help individuals with specific health issues or conditions. If you attend a yoga class with an injury or condition, the teacher may not have the knowledge or experience to help you modify or adapt the practice based on your condition.

This can leave you feeling like you ‘can’t do yoga’ when actually, you’ve just not found the right class, style of practice, or teacher to support you.

Yoga therapy also involves the use of yoga postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. Yoga therapy is often used as complementary medicine or alternative therapy for a wide range of health conditions, including mental health (anxiety, depression, stress), musculoskeletal injuries (chronic pain, hip, lower back pain, upper back neck and shoulder injuries), cancer, arthritis, digestive disorders, women’s health (pregnancy, postnatal, menopause), and hypermobility.

Both yoga therapy and ayurveda view a well-functioning digestive system as fundamental to good health. Problems with digestion, absorption, assimilation and elimination can be a source of health issues/dis-ease in both the body and the mind. Not only in terms of digesting food but also in how we digest and process emotions and experiences.

How we manage stress (both internal and external) is also a major focus during my sessions with clients. 

Inside my membership, I teach therapeutic-style yoga classes on topics such as digestion, menstrual health, and specific techniques for hip or back pain. But often, yoga therapy is one on one.

A yoga therapy session will begin with a full assessment of the client’s health concerns, goals, and abilities. The therapist will work with the client to create a personalized treatment plan that may include yoga postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation the yoga techniques will be specific to the health condition along with any necessary modifications. In addition, the therapy may offer techniques such as massage, myofascial release or other bodywork depending on their qualifications.

I’m an Ayurveda Medicine Practitioner so naturally, I bring this into my work with yoga therapy clients and I may offer suggestions on certain foods, and teas, and prescribe herbs, creams or medicated oils. 

 “Yoga therapy consists of the application of yogic principles, methods and techniques to specific human ailments. In its ideal application, yoga therapy is preventative in nature, as is yoga itself, but also restorative in many instances, palliative in others and curative in many others.”

Art Brownstein MD

Who can yoga therapy benefit?

Yoga therapy can benefit individuals of all ages and backgrounds who are looking for a holistic approach to improving their physical, mental, and emotional health. Some specific groups of people who may particularly benefit from yoga therapy include:

• Individuals with chronic pain or injuries: Yoga therapy can help alleviate pain, increase flexibility and range of motion, and improve overall physical function.
• People with mental health conditions: Yoga therapy can help manage anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and improving emotional regulation.
• Individuals with neurological conditions: Yoga therapy can help improve balance, coordination, and motor function for individuals with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke.
• Pregnant women and new mothers: Yoga therapy can help manage the physical and emotional changes associated with pregnancy, as well as aid in postpartum recovery.
• Older adults: Yoga therapy can help improve balance, flexibility, and overall physical function in older adults, as well as provide a sense of community and social support.
• Individuals with chronic diseases: Yoga therapy can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life for individuals with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease.