Chapters (5)

What is Yoga Therapy? | How can it help you?

Ann Swanson Wellness · 2:19

In this practice

Key teachings

Yoga therapy is an accredited, specialized field within yoga
It empowers individuals towards improved health and well-being
Integrates with Western medicine and is evidence-based

Ideal for

Individuals seeking improved health and well-being
People with chronic pain (e.g., back pain, arthritis)
Those with conditions like depression or PTSD
Anyone feeling they can't 'do' yoga or whose mind is too busy for meditation

Lesson

Instructions

WHAT IS YOGA THERAPY? Yoga therapy is the process of empowering individuals toward improved health and well-being through the application of the philosophy and practices of yoga. The benefits of yoga therapy include increase in mobility, pain relief and overall mindfulness. The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) updated the official definition to: Yoga therapy is the professional application of the principles and practices of yoga to promote health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship that includes personalized assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management, and yoga practices for individuals or small groups. Yoga therapy is an integrative field that works to compliment western medicine and it is also fueled by the growing body of scientific evidence to support mind-body practices.⁣ Ann Swanson is a certified yoga therapist and author of Science of Yoga, which is being translated into over 15 languages. She specializes in yoga therapy and adaptive yoga, while helping people safely and effectively manage stress and relieve chronic pain. Ann makes the tools of yoga anatomy and mindfulness non-intimidating and accessible worldwide, especially to people who feel like they can’t do yoga or their mind is too busy to meditate. Want to learn more about how to become a yoga therapist? A list of the current accredited schools in Yoga Therapy training: Are you a yoga teacher or wellness professional looking for support to help become a more confident and skillful teacher? Want to find the right yoga therapy program for you? Want to learn more about the science of yoga?

Also, join Ann Swanson, MS in Yoga Therapy and author of SCIENCE OF YOGA () for live virtual and in-person classes perfect for people who need modifications for chronic pain, such as back pain or arthritis. Or get private, telehealth yoga therapy for individualized attention for those working with specific conditions or injuries:

Head to Ann Swanson’s website and sign up for tips she only shares on email:

Steps

Physical poses (asanas)
Breathing techniques (pranayama)
Meditation practices
Lifestyle suggestions based on yoga philosophy

Benefits

Increased mobility
Pain relief
Improved mindfulness
Feeling more comfortable in one's body
Living out inner potential

Mindfulness Modifications

Transcript

Hi, my name is Anne Swanson and on this week's wellness Wednesday, I'd like to answer the most common question I get. What is yoga therapy and who are yoga therapists? Often people tell me, well, all yoga can be therapeutic. So, all yoga teachers are yoga therapists, right? And that makes me think conversations on the phone with my close friend can be quite therapeutic. But that doesn't make her a psychotherapist. Yoga therapy is an accredited field with certain standards. So for example, to become a yoga teacher, it takes 200 hours of training. And yoga therapists are yoga teachers that have at least a thousand hours of specialized training. Yoga therapy is an integrative field that works to complement western medicine and it's also fueled by the growing body of scientific evidence to support mindbody practices. According to the International Association of Yoga Therapy, which is the organization that sets the accreditation standards for the field, yoga therapy is the process of empowering individuals toward improved health and well-being through the application of the philosophy and practices of yoga. So, empowering individuals. Yoga therapy is traditionally done one- on-one with clients, but it can also be done in small groups of people with similar conditions or life situations, things like arthritis, chronic pain, depression PTSD. And yoga therapy uses the tools of yoga, which are the physical poses, the breathing techniques, meditation, and also general lifestyle suggestions based off of the philosophy of yoga. And using these tools, yoga therapists help people [music] feel more comfortable in their bodies and live out their inner potential. So, I hope that clears up a little bit what is yoga therapy for you. If you are interested in learning more, there's links below and you can also feel free to ask questions. And if you are a yoga teacher interested in transitioning in toward becoming a yoga therapist, also look below for more links. [music] Thank you.

Practice summary

Level: all levels
Duration: 2 minutes
Equipment: none
Target areas: mindoverall well beingholistic healthstress managementchronic pain
Energy: balancing

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