"Never heard of it."
Well I'm here to tell you it's real, and it works.
Yoga Therapy versus Yoga
Yoga: "a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation." - Merriam Webster
That's how Merriam Webster Dictionary defines yoga. But here's how I define the practice of yoga...
Yoga is a mind and body practice. It is an ancient practice going back hundreds of years. There are many different types of yoga, which involve postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayamas) and meditation or relaxation.
So, now that we have that out of the way. Let's talk about yoga therapy and how it differs from your hot yoga class.
Yoga therapy doesn't quite look like what you're used to seeing in most typical yoga studios. While there is some use of postures (asanas) it's more focused on breathing techniques connected to slow gentle movements, along with guided imagery and a deep relaxation practice called "Yoga Nidra."
Sample of a Yoga Nidra deep relaxation practice. More videos like this can be found here.
Meeting you where you are...
It's important to note, a yoga therapist meets you where you are. I know I mention this often throughout my website, but that's because it's incredibly important.
The point is to make sure you have the support and eventual tools to practice the healing techniques with your yoga therapist and on your own. There's no pushing you to get there or to get into a pose. It's all about how you feel physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
And so, I leave you with a piece of tranquility.
“There beneath all the thinking and doing, you are at peace. You ARE peace. YOU are the peace you’ve been looking for all along.”
― Tamara Verma, Yoga Nidra Scripts: 22 Meditations for Effortless Relaxation, Rejuvenation and Reconnection
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