WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOGA AND YOGA THERAPY?

This is one of the most common questions that come up, and maybe it’s a question you have in your mind as well. If you’re here, you’re likely wondering whether you should practice yoga, book a yoga therapy session, do both, or do neither. 

Here’s the answer in a nutshell:

THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOGA AND YOGA THERAPY IS:

With yoga, you’re stepping into the context of yoga.
With yoga therapy, you’re stepping into the context of you. 

HOW TO DECIDE BETWEEN YOGA AND YOGA THERAPY:

What would you like your primary focus to be?

• The experience and exploration of yoga itself?
• Or, yourself and your wellness, using yoga as a tool?

There’s no right or wrong answer, only what’s appropriate for your needs. Now for the full blog post where I get into some details.

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YOGA

First things first - for the sake of brevity and keeping this relevant to the distinction between yoga and yoga therapy, as we know of these disciplines today, I am intentionally choosing not to cover the origins and history, philosophical aspects, and the evolution of yoga over time.

Also, for ease of explanation, I’m using generalizations about the average group or private yoga class. Please know that I’m not disregarding variation in offerings because it’s unimportant. There is so much variety in yoga today that it would be difficult to capture and adequately describe them all in a short post. To attempt to do so would ultimately be a disservice to you and to yoga as a whole.

With that said, modern yoga, based on what we commonly see in commercial yoga studios, online, and through mobile apps today, consists of a wide spectrum of yoga practices that fall under a yoga lineage or system. Whether you participate online or in-person, you can find practices taught by teachers in numerous formats, including group classes, private classes, workshops, retreats, and practices of varying lengths and styles on social media platforms and apps.

Class Names

Classes are typically named for 1) the yoga lineage or system (e.g. Iyengar Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga), 2) a level of practice (e.g. Hatha 1, Yoga Basics), and/or 3) some other descriptor (e.g. Yoga for Stress Relief, Prenatal Yoga).

These names describe what type of yoga class you can expect and who the class is for, highlight a specific topic or benefit, and/or serve as a point of difference for marketing purposes. If you ever attend a yoga class and aren’t sure what type of yoga you’re practicing, feel free to ask your teacher about their training and the influences that have shaped their teaching style.

Here are some more examples:

• Ashtanga Yoga
• Kundalini Yoga
• Hot 26 (formerly Bikram Yoga)
• Power Yoga
• Vinyasa Yoga
• Yin Yoga
• Restorative Yoga
• Yoga Nidra
• Accessible Yoga
• Chair Yoga
• Prenatal Yoga
• Arm Balances
• Yoga Basics
• Yoga for Seniors
• Yoga for Runners
• Yin and Vin
• Slow Flow

Group Classes

A standard group class runs for 60 minutes. Express classes run 30-45 minutes, and longer classes run 90 minutes. Regardless of length, most of the class time is generally allotted for the physical aspect of yoga (yoga asana). Sometimes there is a breathwork component (pranayama) either at the start or towards the end of class. In most classes, there is final relaxation (savasana) at the end of class. In a typical 60-minute class, you can likely expect 5-10 minutes each for breathwork and relaxation, and the remainder of the time for physical postures.

Private Classes

Private yoga classes are yoga classes adapted to the individual student. Private classes may be sequenced similarly to group classes but with variations to account for the student’s goals and needs. Perhaps the student wants to master a certain yoga pose, or would like additional variations, detailed instruction, pose breakdowns, or conditioning. Private classes also provide personal attention and accommodation with schedules and locations. Private classes may help the client deepen, focus, or accelerate their learning or practice in a way that’s more accessible than in a group class.

Yoga Teacher Training

Yoga teachers are usually trained to teach yoga of a lineage or system. Some lineages have their own training and official certification pathways (e.g. Ashtanga and Iyengar). Aside from that, these days the globally recognized minimum standard for yoga teaching is a 200-hour teacher training, which includes the history of yoga, traditions/practices of that system or lineage, yoga philosophy, physical postures, breathwork, relevant anatomy, and teaching skills: sequencing, cueing, and usage of props. The curriculum may also include Sanskrit, meditation, chanting, energy concepts, and the business of yoga to varying degrees of emphasis.

If a yoga teacher receives additional or specialized training or has training in other disciplines that are relevant, there is a lot of freedom to integrate those teachings in their offerings. There are yoga registries (such as Yoga Alliance), but there is no single governing body that regulates the yoga industry or provides standards and scope of practice.

Yoga Lens

Irrespective of group or private classes, yoga teachers guide students through a yoga practice in which the teacher is trained, and has experienced and embodied as a student themselves. In yoga classes, the context of the class is yoga, and the goal is for students to explore and experience the practice of yoga, through the lens of the yoga lineage, system, theme, or intention.

Yoga can lead to greater self-awareness and personal transformation over time. In fact, if you follow responsible and well-trained teachers who teach all aspects of yoga, I would argue that increased self-awareness and personal growth are almost inevitable with consistent, long-term practice. By cultivating mindfulness in moments of movement and stillness, we learn to slow down and tune in. And as a result, that changes the way we engage with the outside world.

YOGA THERAPY

Yoga therapy is the application of yoga as a tool or technique to enhance a client’s wellbeing. It usually takes place in the form of private yoga therapy sessions, and sometimes in group sessions related to a specific health topic. This can be confusing because yoga also takes place in private or group formats. However, the focus, approach, and training of yoga therapy are different from that of yoga.

Yoga Therapy Focus

With yoga therapy, the focus is on your wellness and not tied to any one particular yoga lineage, system, or theme. You come first, and yoga tools are applied second, in service of your wellness. Yoga therapists pull tools that may fall under a variety of yoga lineages or systems in which they are trained to help you feel better. For that reason, the way a yoga therapy session is structured and practiced will be experienced differently from a conventional yoga class.

In my sessions, there is no set sequence or lesson plan, poses likely will be deconstructed, and you might be surprised, or even delighted, by non-conventional props I might introduce. I don't arrive at a session with what I want to share because it's not about me. It's about you. I use my skills to attune to you and your needs, and offer you a therapeutic experience in service of your wellness, through yoga as a tool.

Yoga Therapy Approach

Yoga therapy uses an evidence-informed approach. You can read more about the definition of the approach in the FAQs here. Yoga therapy combines a yogic and Ayurvedic lens with a Western scientific lens, which is then integrated with the yoga therapist’s skills and experience, along with the client’s values, experience, needs, and preferences. Ancient yoga wisdom, modern research, my skillset and experience, and your input and insights all matter in yoga therapy.

Yoga Therapy Training

Yoga teacher training and yoga teaching experience are prerequisites for yoga therapy training. Yoga therapy requires 875 hours of training and case studies with mentorship and supervision on top of the initial 200 hours. This excludes time committed to assignments, exams, and research papers. Once completed, the candidate must then satisfy additional requirements of the governing body (IAYT) before applying for certification. Yoga therapy cannot be offered safely and responsibly if the candidate is not in training under mentorship or supervision, or fully certified.

Yoga therapy training includes the therapeutic applications of yoga, an understanding of our body systems, and the major health conditions that affect our body systems. In the process, candidates familiarize themselves with common medications, red flags, contraindications, and lifestyle considerations of each health issue. Yoga therapists also learn yogic, ayurvedic, and psychological models as the basis for assessments, counseling and observation skills, and trauma-informed techniques. We apply all of the above to help connect the dots and create a foundation for wellness with a yoga therapy approach just for you.

Yoga therapy can:

• be fully tailored to you
• optimize your wellbeing when you are well, and enhance your wellbeing when you are unwell
• help with physical and mental health conditions, and complement the healthcare you receive 
• manage symptoms and support a balanced lifestyle, which is so critically important for allergies, autoimmune diseases, and other chronic conditions
• help you with a new beginning so you can experience greater wellbeing on the other side of surgeries, injuries, cancer recovery
• sustain you during seasons of life, regulating the emotional rollercoaster that the highs and lows of life can bring

It's important to know that yoga therapy is not a replacement for medical care. It’s meant to complement and work alongside it. Yoga therapy may help reduce pain, alleviate symptoms, and accelerate healing/recovery. It does not cure, diagnose, or treat conditions, which require the attention of a licensed medical professional. It’s a wonderful tool for prevention, self-connection, personal growth, and living well, so that you may minimize your need for conventional medical intervention. When you're able to take both a targeted and holistic approach, you can assess your challenges from all angles. What this offers is perspective, possibilities, and a source of self-empowerment in your wellness journey.

HOW TO DECIDE BETWEEN YOGA AND YOGA THERAPY

Consider your needs, interests, lifestyle, and life stage in making an informed decision suited to you.

If you'd like to experience and explore yoga:

1. Go on YouTube and check out a short class. Yoga with Adriene is great to start.
2. Try an in-person class. Many places offer discounted trials. I would suggest a yoga for beginners class to familiarize yourself with foundational poses and breathing practices.
3. Try to give yoga a fair chance – you can get an impression of it from one class, but to feel benefits, give it some consistency at a frequency that works for you. Teaching styles and yoga styles vary A LOT. If you try one and don’t like it, consider trying another.

If you’re curious about how yoga can be used as a tool in service of your life and wellness:

1. Research yoga therapists
2. Book a call with them. When you're on the call, look for a sense of connection, safety, and trust. Share your challenges and needs. I offer a free call through my website.
3. Try a full session and take in the holistic experience. Similar to yoga, I would encourage giving yoga therapy a few sessions at a consistent frequency, to fully experience the benefits. Communicate with your yoga therapist about what’s working and what’s not.

Be curious. See what unfolds. Pay attention to how you feel before, during, and after your yoga class or yoga therapy session. Your inner wisdom overrides the guidance from a yoga teacher or yoga therapist. Be safe and practice pain-free. Lastly, please be kind to yourself. I commonly hear things like, "I'm not (fill-in-the-blank) enough" or "I can't do (fill-in-the-blank)." While these thoughts are totally natural, they are also not true. You're welcome exactly as you are. 

I hope this helps! Does this add to your clarity or confusion? If you want to talk this through in-depth, or have any questions or concerns, I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to book a call or contact me.