What Is a Therapeutic Yoga Class?

Therapeutic yoga might sound a bit redundant. Most of us consider every form of yoga as a kind of therapy, don’t we? But the practice specifically deemed “therapeutic yoga” has a narrower definition that helps differentiate it from other forms of practice.

What is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga therapy, also known as therapeutic yoga involves using poses and breathing techniques to help cope with and process physical and mental challenges. In other words, it’s the practice of applying yoga techniques to tackle certain specific problems.

What is the Difference Between Therapeutic Yoga and Other Types?

When you go to a therapeutic yoga session, the first difference you may notice between it and other classes is intention. In a therapeutic yoga class, the teacher will pay careful attention to each individual student’s needs, ask what condition or conditions the student is dealing with, and may even ask their doctors for more insight. Then, they will use that knowledge to create a routine that is informed by this knowledge. 

This might be in one-on-one classes, or it might be in group settings where each student is dealing with similar issues. 

For instance, a student with diabetes might opt to enroll in a class specifically designed for those with this condition. The poses chosen will be those that help lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Yoga for asthma will likely involve a flow full of poses that emphasize opening the chest muscles, controlling the breath, and reducing stress. 

And it’s not just for physical ailments. Often, treatment for emotional and mental distress and ailments can be augmented by some form of therapeutic yoga, in addition to other treatments. You can find yoga classes for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and more.  

Types of Therapeutic Yoga

You can find therapeutic yoga to address hundreds of ailments, from the emotional to the physical. Some of those include:

• Back pain
• Cardiovascular issues
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Thyroid
• Depression
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Eating disorders
• Insomnia
• Substance abuse
• Schizophrenia 
• Fatigue

The list could go on and on, so it’s a good idea to check with studios and instructors in your area about programs that might help you. Keep in mind that yoga therapy alone cannot fully heal or treat these conditions, but it can help manage them in many cases when used in tandem with other treatments. 

Why is Therapeutic Yoga Effective? 

Therapeutic yoga has quickly grown in popularity throughout the US in the past few years. Why? Because it often yields results that are hard to deny. While yoga alone is not enough to heal someone dealing with physical, emotional, or mental conditions, it can be a very effective part of a more holistic treatment plan. The whole-body approach of yoga allows us to become better acquainted with ourselves and how each part is connected to and impacted by all of the other parts. 

The combination of traditional yoga, acupressure, reflexology, massage, and science creates a practice that acknowledges the complexity of healing. Blending modern-day knowledge of medicine and healthcare with intuitive practices like yoga creates a treatment plan that gives you the best of both worlds. 

Practicing Therapeutic Yoga at The Yoga Connection

No matter your reason for your practice, yoga can be a transformative tool to supplement your healing journey, whether you’re looking to improve your physical, mental, or emotional health. 

We offer yoga therapy and yoga classes in Smithfield, North Carolina for people at a variety of levels. Whether you’re a beginner or have practiced before, we have a class for you. Note that our yoga therapy classes are private sessions that are tailored to your individual needs.

Call us today at  919-971-1431 or reach out to us online to learn more about the classes we offer.