If you've heard me mention yoga therapy lately and thought, "Okay... but what actually is that?"—you're not alone. I love this question because it gives me a chance to share a little more about what has been shaping my work recently.

The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) defines yoga therapy as:

"The professional application of the principles and practices of yoga to promote health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship that includes personalized assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management, and yoga practices for individuals or small groups."

While that definition is accurate, what does it really mean in practice?

Many holistic practitioners believe that the pace and demands of modern life can create imbalance within our bodies, minds, and lives. Over time, stress, life transitions, illness, injury, and emotional challenges can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves and from the sense of wholeness that exists within us.

Yoga therapy offers a personalized and holistic approach to well-being. Rooted in the ancient traditions of yoga that originated in India, it recognizes that each person is unique and that healing is rarely a one-size-fits-all process.

Unlike a traditional yoga class, which follows a general sequence designed for a group, yoga therapy focuses on the specific needs, goals, and experiences of the individual.

Yoga therapy is not about performing poses perfectly or becoming more flexible. Instead, it is a collaborative process that invites you to slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with your own inner resources for healing and balance.

Sessions begin with conversation, assessment, and goal setting. Together, we explore what is happening in your life and what support might be most helpful. From there, practices are selected specifically for your needs.

Depending on the individual, a yoga therapy session may include:

• Gentle movement (asana)

• Breath practices (pranayama)

• Meditation

• Guided relaxation

• Visualization

• Sound or mantra

• Lifestyle and self-care practices

It is not about doing everything. It is about discovering what best supports you in this season of your life.

Rather than trying to fix or force change, yoga therapy creates space—space to notice, space to soften, and space to support the body's natural capacity for healing and regulation.

People seek yoga therapy for many reasons, including stress, anxiety, chronic pain, recovery from illness or injury, emotional well-being, life transitions, and women's health concerns. The work is individualized, collaborative, and designed to meet you exactly where you are.

As I continue my own yoga therapy mentorship journey, my first area of focus is women's health—specifically supporting women through perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. This has already been an incredibly meaningful and eye-opening area of study, and it feels deeply aligned with the work I am called to offer. You can learn more about this menopause mentorship here.

What I am learning continues to reinforce something I have witnessed throughout my years of teaching yoga: we all have an innate capacity for healing, growth, and resilience. Sometimes we simply need the right support, tools, and space to reconnect with it.

If you're curious about how yoga therapy might support you in your own season of life, I would love to connect with you and explore whether this personalized approach might be a good fit. Book a call with me today!