IF YOU CAN BREATHE…
YOU CAN PRACTICE YOGA
Global Yoga Therapy Day aims to educate and shift the public misperception that Yoga is just another exercise for flexible, able bodies
Aug 1, 2019, Melbourne – Yoga has become one of the world’s most popular exercises but on August 14, Yoga Therapists around the world are trying to lift awareness beyond yoga as exercise, with the message, If you can breathe, you can practice yoga.
Yoga… 90%* of people know what Yoga is. Anecdotally, people think yoga is therapeutic
But only a small percentage know about yoga therapy
Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India. ... The term "yoga" in the Western world often denotes a modern form of Hatha yoga, consisting largely of the postures called asanas.
(Wikipedia)
Yoga therapy is the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the application of the teachings and practices of Yoga.
International Association of Yoga Therapists
Yoga is:
- Mainly considered to be a physical practice in the west
- Practiced in a gym or health club, yoga studio, community centre, park or at home
- Most teachers have 200-350 hours training
- Relationship between teacher and student is loose (based on convenience of the class time, location and liking of the teacher. Teacher may not know the student.)
- Students usually come for relaxation or exercise; heard yoga is good for health or “feel” better after the class
Yoga Therapist:
Yoga Therapists are highly qualified yoga professionals specifically trained to work with individuals working through various health concerns (everything from mental challenges like depression & anxiety to chronic pain, cancer, sleep challenges and cardiovascular disease).
Yoga Therapist assess and craft an individualized practice for clients which may include: Breath practices, Meditation and/or relaxation, Philosophy, Lifestyle advice and physical movement.
You’ll find them in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, on army bases, prisons and schools.
Yoga Therapy:
- Uses the principles & practices of Yoga to address mental, emotional, physical and spiritual imbalances (dis-ease) in the individual
- Together in a therapeutic relationship, they work individually with their clients to assess a person’s specific needs and create tailored practices to shift physical, mental, emotional and spiritual suffering.
- Through a dynamic, therapeutic relationship, practices & protocols are crafted that empower the client in their own journey towards greater well-being
- Certified therapist have 1000+ hours training
- Clients often come to yoga therapy after exhausting many other health alternatives
- Are specially trained to work with clients suffering from various health concerns
- Use the biopsychosocial medical approach to care
- Many yoga therapists are licensed in other healthcare modalities (i.e., PT, OT, RN, Psychology)
- Often work integratively with other healthcare practitioners
- Offer one-to-one sessions, small therapeutic groups; and online sessions reaching remote populations
- Do an assessment on each person and track their progress over time and adjust as needed
August 14th marks the first Global Yoga Therapy Day – a day where Yoga Therapists are worldwide to share that if you can breathe, you can practice yoga!
Therapists participating in the Global Yoga Therapy Day can be found through the app, Yoga for Better Health, and through the website – www.globalyogatherapyday.com
Information Provided by Ann-Maire Johnson.
Founder of Yoga Mate and Global Yoga Therapy Day.
