What is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga therapy involves employing a variety of yoga practices such as yoga postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and guided imagery to improve mental and physical health.
Yoga therapy is a holistic approach that works simultaneously on the body, mind, and spirit.
Issues treated by Yoga Therapy
Yoga therapy is emerging slowly and science has also started to emphasize its effectiveness. It is used to treat:
- Depression and anxiety
- Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia
- Back pain
- Heart conditions
- Asthma
- Chronic fatigue
- Hypertension
- Multiple sclerosis
- Side effects of chemotherapy
Yoga therapists have started developing treatment modalities to suit children with autism. Yoga therapy is an effective treatment for substance abuse issues (drug or alcohol abuse).
Benefits of Yoga Therapy
Potential benefits of yoga therapy are, Stress reduction, Psychological well-being, improved diet, and Efficient functioning of bodily systems.
Neurological disorders: Yoga practice manages symptoms and maintains function in the conditions like Parkinson’s disease, Multiple sclerosis, stroke, and spinal cord injury.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Yoga therapy helps with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchiectasis, bronchitis, lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), and Intestinal lung disease. Yoga therapy strengthens the respiratory muscles, improves respiratory pressures, cleanses the lungs and the entire respiratory tract.
Pregnant women: Prenatal yoga focuses on poses for pregnant women to increase strength and flexibility. Yoga also helps women to develop proper breathing and relaxation techniques for easier and more comfortable labor.
Diabetes: Yoga increases muscle activity, strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance and manages blood glucose levels, conditions associated with type-2 diabetes, and risk of cardiovascular diseases and improves the overall quality of life.
Pediatric rehabilitation: In children, yoga therapy helps in improving focus, memory, self-esteem, academic performance, and classroom behaviour, and can even reduce anxiety and stress in children.
Digestive Disorders: Yoga therapy helps in digestion, constipation, and bloating by increasing the circulation and energy to the areas.
What to expect from Yoga Therapy?
When you decide to start yoga therapy, the therapist will first conduct an initial exam. The exam is designed to do the following:
- Identify health problems
- Assess lifestyle and physical capability
- Discuss reasons for seeking therapy
- Create a course of treatment
Once the treatment plan is made in the first consultation, the sessions are scheduled. Therapy sessions will most likely include the following:
Breathing exercises (Prayanama): The therapist will guide you in therapy through an array of breathing exercises ranging from energizing breaths to balancing breaths.
Physical Postures (Asana): The therapist will teach you different yoga poses to treat problems like anxiety and insomnia.
Meditation: Meditation when combined with yoga poses focuses on relaxation and mindfulness.
Guided Imagery: A guided visualization is shown to calm the body and mind and to bring inner peace.
Homework: It is important to incorporate yoga into a daily routine. The therapists will provide instructions and how to use what has been learned in treatment at home.
Who offers Yoga Therapy?
A certified yoga therapist, credentialed as CYT offers yoga therapy. The yoga therapists have strong command in:
- Yoga philosophy, techniques, and education
- Therapeutic yoga techniques
- Anatomy and physiology
- Diet and nutrition
- Basic understanding of medical care and first aid
When deciding on a yoga therapist, it is important to know that they are different types of yoga therapists such as psychotherapists, psychologists, and physical therapists.
Sakra is one of the Best Yoga Rehabilitation Centre in Bangalore, which offers a specialized training program that aims to empower individuals to overcome lifestyle diseases with Yoga and reduce dependence on medications. If you are looking for yoga therapy in Bangalore then book your appointment with our Yoga specialists now!
