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What is Yoga Therapy ?

Yoga Instructor vs. Yoga Therapist

It’s not that one is better than the other – you can be a yoga therapist and also an yoga instructor but that does not hold true the other way around due to the more extensive training one must undergo to be certified as a Yoga Therapist. Often, someone who is already a therapist in a traditional definition of that profession – someone who counsels those going through emotional, psychological, interpersonal strife or challenges in need of help- may also add-on yoga, and that professional may call themselves a “therapist” with Yoga as one of the tools used in helping the client. BUT she/he is NOT a yoga therapist.

This is the latest update from IAYT:

Yoga is a scientific system of self-investigation,self-transformation, and self-realization that originated in India.The teachings of
yoga are rooted in the Vedas and grounded in
classical texts and a rich oral tradition.

This tradition recognizes that the human being’s
essential nature is unchanging awareness that
exists in relationship to and identification with
the changing phenomena of the empirical
world. The yoga tradition views humans as a multidimensional system that includes all aspects of body; breath; and mind, intellect, and emotions and their mutual interaction.

Yoga is founded on the basic principle that intelligent practice
can positively influence the direction of change within these human dimensions, which are distinct from an individual’s unchanging
nature or spirit.

The practices of yoga traditionally include, but are not limited to, asana,
pranayama, meditation, mantra, chanting, mudra,ritual, and a disciplined lifestyle.

Yoga therapy is the appropriate application of these teachings and practices in a therapeutic context in order to support a consistent yoga
practice that will increase self-awareness and engage the client/student’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/students change their relationship to and identification with their condition. The practice of yoga therapy requires specialized training and skill development to support the relationship between the client/student and therapist and to effect positive change for the individual.

Yoga therapy is informed by its sister science,
Ayurveda.As part of a living tradition, yoga therapy continues to evolve and adapt to the cultural context in which it is practiced, and today,
it is also informed by contemporary health sciences. Its efficacy is supported by an increasing body of research evidence, which
contributes to the growing understanding and acceptance of its value as a therapeutic discipline.

exerpt from latest IAYT publication

Hope this clarifies those who wonder what’s the difference between a yoga instructor and yoga therapist. Both teaches yoga but I yoga therapist is more customized and personalized … which makes it very difficult to teach remotely.

Wouldn’t you also agree that – at least for me – it’s the environment and the vibe – the ENERGY – an escape from the ordinary – to go to a yoga class held at a PLACE other than your own home. We can combat this by creating your own sacred place within your home. Then, you need the ENERGY – THE VIBRATION. To find the extraordinary or the unique special miracles in the ORDINAY EVERYDAY often dismissed – is what this shelter in place teaches us.

Maybe.

By Kay T. Ananda

Yoga brings Joy!
Joy to your body, heart, soul and allows your mind to settle all the debris to the bottom of the lake, ripples gently subsides so that like that shining water, your lake in your mind is still and crystal clear. Only then, you can find your truth... when your mind clears and all distractions are gone, leaving you - stillness and clarity. Peace.
Dog is doing yoga all the time and brings you laughs!
Anger is borne out of fear; how do we find that fearless path of inner peace?
Why Bark when you can Wag to express your JOY Joy joy !!!???
無心でしっぽをふる喜びを表すあの子犬のようなJOYを糧に無理ない、各自のコンデイションに寄り添いながらもチャレンジ精神をとりかえす…そんなヨーガを:)
全米ヨガアライアンス公認ヨガ講師養成コース修了、リストラティブヨガ指導者認定登録、アメリカRYT500登録インストラクター、800hrsヨガセラピーIAYT今現在一瞬ThisMoment&NOWをCELEBRATEするカリフォルニア*ライフ!

帰国子女としてニューヨーク、テヘラン、カリフォルニアと転々、いずれ東京に帰る意識で日本語高等部卒大卒後シリコンバレーにとどまる。ヨガはカリフォルニア州立、バークレー大学時代、ストレス解消に効くと教授に教わり試してみるが... 合わずジャズサイズ、ウェイトトレーニング、エアロビックスのクラスに移転の20代、30代、産後、過労で体調を崩し大病も治癒。死ぬかと思った~大病後、久しぶりに足を踏み入れたヨガスタジオのヨガが大学時代のスローでポーズごと器械体操ごとく、つまらなーいヨガとはまったく違い進化していた。流れる踊りの振り付け的なヨガに魅せられる。数々の流派があることを習い、数種類のスタイルを試す。ビクラム、ホット、アイヤンガー、ヴィンヤサ、アシュタンガ・パワー、などなど。数年前サンフランシスコにて、ヨガアライアンス認定インストラクター養成を経て、インストラクター証書習得。同じ年にキッズヨガインストラクター証書ゲット。リストラテイブヨガ、インストラクター認定、陰ヨガのインターン、アシスト後、陰とヴィンヤサ、レギュラーハタクラスを教える。又プライベート、セミプライベートレッスンをクライアントのニーズの合わせ、ヨガセラピストとしてセラピー集中ヨガ提供。その為に2年間のアドバンスコースに挑みc-IAYT証書習得!ヨガ療法士としてIAYT(国際ヨガセラピスト協会)認定のヨガセラピスト、C-IAYT(Certified-IAYT) 10年以上、ベイクラブ、ヨガスタジオ、シリコンバレー社などで子育て中週4-5回レギュラーレッスンの講師を務める。3月2020にあの頃は最後とは知らずの週2教えていたスタジオにてのインパーソンヨガクラスを後に…遠方介護ニーズとコロナ禍を機に当分はパブリッククラスリードからはリタイア。
自分自身が心と体の調和で得た平穏…日常の小ちゃな事に見出す喜びをヨガ愛好者のどなたとでもと共有できたらと願うばかり。ジョイを共有し、ジョイフルライフを。そう、もし犬に例えるのであれば、恐れや威嚇で吠えまくる犬ではなく、シッポふりふり笑顔で愛と喜びに満ちた心持をヨガを通しシャア。恥じる気持ち等恐れず誰でもできる自身ジョイフルヨガを肝に銘じりたい。LOVE LOVE LOVE:)Shanti Shanti Shanti:)