Clinical Yoga Therapy: What It Is, Why It Matters, and My Scope of Practice at Healing House by Mu

In a world where stress, trauma, chronic conditions, and emotional fatigue have become an everyday reality, many people are searching for healing modalities that bring together ancient wisdom and modern science. Clinical Yoga Therapy is one of those bridges, and it is at the heart of my work at Healing House by Mu.

What Is Clinical Yoga Therapy?

Clinical Yoga Therapy is the therapeutic, evidence-informed application of yoga used to support individuals living with physical, emotional, and psychological challenges.

The International Association of Yoga Therapist ( IAYT) provide an in-depth explanation here.

It is:

• Personalized

• Adaptable

• Trauma-sensitive

• Collaborative with healthcare providers

• Grounded in both traditional yoga and scientific research

It is not a fitness class.

It is not a replacement for medical or mental health care.

It is not generalized yoga instruction.

It is a pathway to stability, regulation, and meaningful change.

How Clinical Yoga Therapy Works

Using tools such as:

• Adaptive asana

• Breathwork and breath ratios

• Somatic sequencing

• Restorative practices

• Pranayama

• Meditation

• Lifestyle guidance

  
  

…the goal is to support:

• Nervous system regulation

• Pain management

• Emotional processing

• Respiratory efficiency

• Sleep improvement

• Overall quality of life

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Every session is customized based on assessment, symptoms, and goals.

🕉 Lineage & Foundations

My approach is rooted in two interconnected pillars:

1. Traditional Yogic Lineage

Influenced by:

• Vinyasa Krama and Viniyoga methodology

• Breath-centric teachings stemming from T. Krishnamacharya

• Classical Hatha yoga principles

• Pranayama and subtle body work

This lineage teaches how postures and breath work together to shift energy and physiology.

2. Modern Clinical Training

As a Clinical Yoga Therapist-in-Training, my education includes:

• Clinical pathology foundations

• Assessment (SOAP, intake, progress tracking)

• Trauma-informed methodologies

• Adaptive sequencing for conditions

• Nervous system science

• Case studies and supervised hours

This informs the clinical safety, structure, and personalization behind what I offer.

3. Scientific Research

Modern studies show significant benefits of yoga therapy for:

• Anxiety & depression

• PTSD and trauma symptoms

• Hypertension

• Asthma & respiratory dysfunction

• Chronic pain

• Sleep disorders

• Menopause transitions

• Stress-related illness

  
  

Research consistently highlights improved:

• HRV (heart rate variability)

• Vagal tone

• Stress resilience

• Mind-body awareness

  
  

Clinical Yoga Therapy is truly where ancient practice meets modern evidence.

My Scope of Practice

As a therapist-in-training, I am clear and transparent about what I can and cannot offer.

I CAN:

• Provide personalized yoga therapy practices

• Support individuals with chronic conditions (with medical care team involvement)

• Offer adaptive movement, pranayama, meditation, and somatic tools

• Support nervous system regulation

• Help clients build sustainable healing routines

• Collaborate with your healthcare providers

• Work with post-surgical recovery (when medically cleared)

  
  

I CANNOT:

• Diagnose conditions

• Perform medical treatment

• Replace therapy, psychiatry, or medical care

• Offer emergency mental health services

• Work with unmanaged acute psychiatric symptoms

Referral Policy

There are moments when a client may benefit from additional or alternate care. If needed, I may:

• Request medical clearance

• Recommend therapy or psychiatric support

• Refer out before we begin

  
  

If you have already booked and paid, your session can be transformed into an appropriate alternative such as:

• Adaptive Yoga

• Pranayama Session

• Cyclic Meditation / Yoga Nidra

I will always ensure you still receive support.

Who Is This For?

Clinical Yoga Therapy may be right for you if you're navigating:

• Stress, burnout, overwhelm

• Trauma recovery

• Chronic pain or chronic illness

  Post-surgical recovery

• Fatigue or sleep dysregulation

• Anxiety or emotional heaviness

• Energetic stagnation

• Disconnection from your body

• Difficulty with breath or grounding

If you need a slow-paced, intentional, clinically-informed, heart-centered approach, you will feel deeply supported here.

What to Expect in Your Session

Each therapeutic relationship begins with an intake + assessment, exploring:

• Symptoms

• Goals

• Daily environment

• Sleep

• Stress patterns

• Energetic tendencies

• Breath quality

• PIES model (Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Spiritual)

  
  

Your personalized protocol may include:

• Breath ratios

• Micro-movements

• Adaptive sequences

• Restorative postures

• Meditative tools

• Nervous-system practices

• Energetic grounding or expansion exercises

Everything is chosen with care, safety, and intention.

Why It’s Donation-Based (For Now)

As I complete my clinical hours, I’ve chosen a donation-based model to:

• Keep healing accessible

• Build case studies

• Serve my community

• Honor the reciprocal nature of yoga therapy

It is an exchange rooted in trust, dignity, and mutual care.

"Clinical Yoga Therapy is where ancient breath meets modern nervous system science — a place where the body remembers how to heal."

Clinical Yoga Therapy is not performance. It is not aesthetics It is not just stretching.

It is a precise, compassionate, holistic practice that supports the whole person — body, mind, energy, and spirit.

If you’re looking for someone who blends: traditional lineage, clinical training, nervous system insight, intuitive wisdom, and grounded compassion, you are exactly where you need to be.

I would be honored to support your healing journey.

Ready to begin

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