What is yoga therapy?

Yoga therapy is a type of therapy that utilizes yoga's principles and practices, including postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation, and visualization techniques, to address specific physical, mental, and/or emotional symptoms. 

Yoga therapy works from within to enhance balance between the body, breath and mind. As inner balance is gained, suffering is reduced and quality of life enhanced.

How does it work? Does it work?

As a yoga therapist, I would work with you individually to create a customized yoga practice that considers your unique wishes, needs and capabilities. We would meet on a regular basis, at a time and place that is comfortable to you, to develop our relationship and your practice over time.

In our first session, we would review your medical history, do some physical movements to check your abilities and limitations, and discuss any presentoing problems. I would then design a therapy plan specifically for you to follow on a daily basis. We would then meet regularly to review your progress and adjust your therapy plan based on what is working and not working for you.

Yoga therapy is not a quick fix, though one session can result in immediate benefits. It is most effective when used over time, and has been shown to be a safe and effective tool for treating a number of physical and mental health conditions.

Research suggests it can help lower blood pressure, slow down heart rate, decrease the production of the stress hormone cortisol and release feel-good chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin. (ADD SOURCE

What can yoga therapy treat?

Yoga therapy can be helpful in treating:

Physical Conditions

  • Back Pain
  • Musculoskeletal problems
  • Diabetes
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Parkinson’s
  • Asthma
  • COPD
  • Cancer
  • HIV
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Brain Injury
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Autoimmune Diseases
  • IBS
  • Obesity
  • Heart Disease
  • Insomnia
  • Arthritis
  • Osteoporosis

 

Mental Health Conditions

  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • PTSD
  • Schizophrenia
  • ADHD
  • Eating Disorders
  • Addiction
  • Post-Natal Depression

 

Published research on the efficacy of yoga therapy is ongoing and limited, due to it being a relatively new field of therapy in the Western world. 

 

Do I need to have yoga experience, be flexible, strong etc.?

The only requirement for yoga therapy is the breath. It can benefit everyone, even if you have no immediate health concern, and no previous experience or knowledge of yoga is needed.

Yoga therapy works in the opposite direction to most yoga classes: there is no ideal form or technique to work towards - postures and techniques are adapted to you, and are used based on what accessible to you, physically and mentally.

How much does it cost?

Sessions are £90 per hour (in-person in Sydenham or online via Doxy.me), and we would typically start with 3-6 contracted sessions.

I offer a number of packages and would work with you to find an arrangement that fits us both.