About Yoga Therapy

Yoga is naturally therapeutic because it works on every level of who we are—physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically, and spiritually. This holistic effect is why so many people are drawn to yoga, why numerous studies highlight its benefits, and why healthcare professionals increasingly recommend it. With growing scientific support and recognition, the field of yoga therapy has expanded. Today, people seek yoga not just for fitness or relaxation, but as a powerful tool for healing, well-being, and personal growth.

As yoga therapy grows as a profession, it’s important to understand how it differs from general yoga practice. According to the International Association of Yoga Therapists, the accrediting body of yoga therapists,

“Yoga therapy is the appropriate application of the yoga teachings and practices in a therapeutic context in order to support a consistent yoga practice that will increase self-awareness and engage the client’s energy in the direction of desired goals. The goals of yoga therapy include eliminating, reducing, or managing symptoms that cause suffering; improving function; helping to prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of underlying causes of illness; and moving toward improved health and wellbeing. Yoga therapy also helps clients change their relationship to and identification with their condition.”

The key phrase here is “in a therapeutic context.” This sets yoga therapy apart from general yoga instruction. People typically come to a yoga teacher to learn yoga for general wellness or skill-building. They come to a yoga therapist when they want help with a specific health condition or challenge.

Because of this focus, the training requirements for certified yoga therapists (C-IAYT) are much more extensive than those for certified yoga teachers (RYT). While yoga teachers complete a minimum of 200 hours of training to teach safely and effectively, certified yoga therapists complete at least 800 additional hours of specialized training to apply yoga in therapeutic contexts.

To make this clearer, let’s explore two examples of private sessions—one with a certified yoga teacher and one with a certified yoga therapist—to highlight the differences in approach and scope.

Example One: Private Session with a Certified Yoga Teacher (RYT)

Mary’s friends regularly attend yoga classes at a local studio and encouraged her to join. However, Mary felt unsure because she didn’t want to stand out or feel lost in a group. So, she reached out to the studio owner, Kay, to schedule private sessions to build her confidence first.

Before their first meeting, Mary filled out a basic new student form, noting her past knee surgery from 10 years ago. During their sessions, Kay introduced Mary to common yoga poses and props to help her, such as blocks and straps for support. Over four private sessions, Kay gradually taught Mary more poses, basic alignment principles, and breathing techniques, preparing her to join group classes comfortably.

Afterward, Mary felt calmer, more aware of her body, and naturally adjusted her posture during daily activities. Kay also recommended she continue with beginner classes to deepen her practice.

Example Two: Private Session with a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT)

Michael was recovering from a serious motorcycle accident six months earlier, which resulted in a pelvic fracture, nerve damage, and other complications. He was managing severe pain daily and undergoing physical therapy. Previously, he had some mindfulness experience, which helped during his recovery.

Michael contacted Jane, a certified yoga therapist, to support his healing journey. Before their first session, Michael completed an extensive intake form covering his medical history, medications, energy levels, sleep, stress, and lifestyle. He also provided medical reports, including pelvic X-rays.

During their first session, Jane reviewed his form, asked detailed questions, and assessed his posture. She guided Michael through a meditation to help manage his pain and gave him a recording to use at home.

Before the second session, Jane researched his injury and consulted with his physical therapist to align their approaches. She introduced mindful breathing techniques combined with his physical therapy exercises, making the process feel more holistic. Michael reported the exercises felt more effective and connected to his whole being.

In later sessions, Jane helped Michael notice when he was pushing too hard and introduced gentle breath work and energy practices (mudras) to support healing. She also referred him to a specialist for neuromuscular rehabilitation. Over time, Michael developed greater body awareness and felt spiritually connected again—a healing journey that continues steadily.

What This Means

These examples show that while both yoga teachers and yoga therapists use yoga, their approaches and depth of work differ significantly.

• A certified yoga teacher (RYT) often helps students build a foundation in yoga poses, breathing, and relaxation, typically preparing them for group classes or personal practice.

• A certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) works with individuals dealing with specific health (physical or mental) challenges, creating highly personalized, therapeutic plans that integrate medical history, physical assessments, and collaboration with healthcare providers.

Yoga therapy is a specialized, comprehensive approach designed to support healing and long-term well-being beyond general yoga practice.  If you’d like to experience a yoga therapy session tailored to your needs, please contact Sonia Weirich, C-IAYT, at onetooneyoga@gmail.com for a free consultation.

Here is a table which compares the training requirements of a certified yoga teacher (RYT) and that of a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT).  (This information was gathered from Yoga Alliance, the accrediting body for yoga teachers, and the International Association of Yoga Therapist, the accrediting body for yoga therapist.)