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 Therapists (IAYT) provides an in-depth explanation here.

Key Features of Clinical Yoga Therapy

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

  
  

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?

Ready to begin

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