What Is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga therapy is a technique that applies specific yoga practices to address physical and mental health issues. This therapy aims to promote self-care and the overall physical well-being of a person by unifying the mind and body. The approach of yoga therapy is to support healing and enhance health, offering a structured pathway towards mental and physical well-being.
What’s the difference between yoga and yoga therapy?
Yoga is a form of workout, like aerobics, that focuses on training and guiding groups through poses and exercises. Students have to attend the sessions three times a week to improve their flexibility and strength.
Yoga therapy, on the other hand, is a tailored approach for patients seeking relief from certain symptoms. A yoga therapist designs personalised sessions for patients combining breathing exercises, enhancing mindfulness, and regular meditation. The aim is to restore wellness and reduce stress for faster recovery.
What does yoga therapy treat or manage?
Yoga therapy combines bottom-up and top-down approaches to support self-regulation. It covers all the physiological, emotional, behavioural, and cognitive domains.
From serious problems like post-traumatic stress disorder to chronic back and neck pains, yoga therapy manages to treat everything. The aim is to improve sleep, keep vitals like blood sugar levels and blood pressure under control, and prevent or delay age-related health disorders like Parkinson's, arthritis, etc.
How does yoga therapy work?
Here is the steps of how yoga therapy works:
1. Initial Consultation
The first meeting with the yoga consultant or therapist is focused on the patient. Requirements, needs, and problems are discussed so that a complete therapy plan can be chalked out. The wellness journey is made more personalised and suitable to the requirements of the patients.
2. Tailored Yoga Plan
Once the patient shares physical and mental ailments that plague the patient, a tailored yoga plan is framed. Yoga therapy plans generally include three basic steps, i.e., asana or yoga postures, pranayama or breathing exercises, and practising meditation.
3. Practising and Improving
Practising is the best way to improve mental and physical health with yoga. This therapy complements other disorder treatments, which makes the recovery process faster and better.
What happens during yoga therapy?
- Gentle Stretches
Simple stretches like side bends and joint rotation are included in the therapy. The aim is to enhance the range of motion and improve the overall flexibility of the body. - Breathing Exercises
Deep breathing is essential for patients suffering from stress and anxiety. Not only does proper breathing give relaxation to the mind, but it also eases tension in the body. - Spinal Twists
Spinal twists are highly beneficial for correcting the posture of the body and improving digestion. These exercises strengthen the core of the body and improve the alignment for better mobility. - Relaxation Techniques
Guided meditation routines lower stress levels and make a person feel refreshed, which calms him or her. This technique of yoga therapy allows easy management of the reactions of a person when exposed to triggers.
How long is a yoga therapy session?
The duration of one yoga therapy session generally lasts for 60 to 90 minutes in the beginning, depending on the patient’s condition. However, some therapists like to start with 30-minute sessions to learn about the patient’s threshold. At certain times, therapists suggest patients complete yoga therapy sessions from home which can take less time, averaging around 15 minutes daily.
How often should I do yoga therapy?
The frequency of attending yoga sessions depends on the condition of the patient. Yoga therapists and psychiatrists have to specify the duration of the program and frequency of sessions in a day for the best results.
What are the overall benefits of yoga therapy?
- Yoga therapy aids other procedures and ensures faster recovery. The therapy complements other treatments meant for severe depression, chronic anxiety, habitual stress, and so on.
- Yoga therapy has proven effective in improving the mood and general behaviour of people. This lowers the chances of anxiety, depression, and other psychological problems that deteriorate life and disrupt the routine of a person.
- Yoga therapy improves and resets the circadian rhythm. A person feels calmer, which enables him or her to sleep better and at the right time. Certain physical activities in yoga therapy can be strenuous for the body, aiding better sleep.
- Yoga therapy develops mindfulness, which enhances the self-awareness of a person. This works on self-compassion and makes a person adjust to society better.
- Yoga therapy has proven to be effective in treating multiple physiological symptoms. The therapy improves respiratory function and blood circulation and consequently lowers the chances of heart-related health issues, especially among those who have recovered from eating disorders or substance abuse.
- Yoga therapy builds the confidence of patients by improving their body language. Various exercises are such that they improve the patient’s posture and are good for the skin, which builds confidence.
What are the risks of yoga therapy?
Patients undergoing yoga therapy may complain of aches and pains after the first few sessions. This is common among people not used to physical activity or have not disclosed their health conditions completely in the first session. If administered wrongly, yoga therapy can also cause muscle injury due to overstretching.
How long will it take for me to feel better after yoga therapy?
When yoga therapy is administered under professional guidance, patients generally start to see results within 6-12 weeks. However, some patients feel immediately better after the first session. Nevertheless, it can take months for the symptoms to dissipate completely and for a patient to regain strength and balance.