Yoga Therapy is a distinct, evidence-informed field that applies yogic practices therapeutically to support physical health, nervous system regulation, and psychological wellbeing.

While rooted in ancient yoga traditions, yoga therapy as a professional discipline is relatively new — emerging over the past 10–15 years as part of a broader movement toward integrative and mind-body healthcare.

This article outlines what yoga therapy is, how it developed, where it is practiced today, and the scientific evidence supporting its use.

What Is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga Therapy is the therapeutic application of yoga practices, adapted to meet the needs of individuals and groups with diverse health considerations.

Unlike general yoga classes, yoga therapy:

is assessment-based
adapts practices to injuries, surgeries, chronic conditions, and limitations
prioritizes nervous system regulation and safety
emphasizes long-term sustainability over performance

Yoga therapy draws from yogic tools such as:

postural practices (āsana)
breath regulation (prāṇāyāma)
relaxation and guided rest
meditation and self-reflection

These tools are selected and applied intentionally, based on therapeutic goals rather than generalized sequencing.

A Brief History of Yoga Therapy as a Field

Although yoga has been practiced for thousands of years, yoga therapy as a formalized profession began to take shape in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Its development was influenced by:

increased interest in mind-body medicine
research into stress, trauma, and chronic disease
the need for adaptable movement and regulation-based practices
integration with rehabilitation and healthcare settings

Over the past decade, yoga therapy has moved toward:

standardized training pathways
professional scopes of practice
ethical guidelines
research alignment

This has positioned yoga therapy as a bridge between traditional yoga and modern healthcare.

Yoga Therapy in Healthcare Systems Worldwide

Yoga therapy is practiced internationally and exists — in varying forms — within healthcare, rehabilitation, and wellness systems in countries including:

Canada
United States
Australia
Germany
India

Depending on the country and context, yoga therapy may be:

offered in hospitals or clinics
integrated into rehabilitation or chronic pain programs
included in workplace wellness initiatives
recommended as a complementary therapeutic approach

In some cases and jurisdictions, yoga therapy may be:

partially reimbursable
deductible as a wellness or therapeutic expense
supported through employer or institutional programs

Policies vary widely by region and provider, but globally there is increasing recognition of yoga therapy’s role in supporting chronic conditions, stress-related disorders, and recovery processes.

Conditions Commonly Addressed with Yoga Therapy

Research and clinical application have explored yoga therapy’s usefulness in supporting individuals with:

chronic low back pain
musculoskeletal injuries
arthritis and joint degeneration
anxiety and depression
PTSD and trauma-related symptoms
cardiovascular conditions
diabetes and metabolic disorders
sleep disturbances
stress and burnout

Yoga therapy is not positioned as a replacement for medical care, but as a complementary modality that supports self-regulation, function, and quality of life.

Scientific Evidence Supporting Yoga Therapy

Yoga therapy is supported by a growing body of scientific research, including randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.

Research findings consistently demonstrate that yoga-based therapeutic interventions can:

reduce pain and disability
improve functional capacity
lower stress and anxiety markers
support emotional regulation
improve sleep quality
enhance overall wellbeing

Importantly, studies show that yoga interventions are most effective when they are individualized, appropriately paced, and focused on regulation rather than intensity — principles central to yoga therapy.

This evidence base continues to expand as yoga therapy is studied within clinical, rehabilitative, and mental health contexts.

Yoga Therapy as an Evidence-Informed Practice

Yoga therapy operates at the intersection of:

traditional yogic knowledge
anatomy and biomechanics
nervous system science
behavioral and psychological health

Its effectiveness lies not in rigid protocols, but in its capacity to adapt — meeting people where they are, physically and psychologically.

This adaptability is what allows yoga therapy to be applied across:

individual sessions
group therapeutic settings
healthcare programs
long-term wellness initiatives

Why Yoga Therapy Matters Today

Modern life places sustained demands on the nervous system. Many people live with:

chronic stress
persistent pain
fatigue
emotional overload

Yoga therapy offers a regulated, intelligent, and humane approach to care — one that respects variability in bodies and lived experience.

Its continued growth reflects a broader shift in healthcare toward:

prevention
self-regulation
whole-person approaches

This foundation informs how yoga therapy is applied in specialized contexts — including group settings and cyclic practices — which will be explored in subsequent articles.

References & Further Reading

(You may keep this list or later hyperlink it on your website.)

International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).
Yoga Therapy: Definition, Scope, and Professional Standards.
Cramer, H., et al. (2013).
Yoga for low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Clinical Journal of Pain.
Pascoe, M. C., et al. (2017).
The impact of yoga on stress and mood.
Journal of Clinical Psychology.
Khalsa, S. B. S., et al. (2016).
Yoga therapy in mental health care.
Journal of Psychiatric Practice.
Sherman, K. J., et al. (2011).
Comparative effectiveness of yoga, stretching, and self-care for chronic back pain.
Archives of Internal Medicine.
National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Yoga as a complementary health approach.

Next in the Series

Blog B: How Yoga Therapy Works in Group Settings — Why Everyone May Be Practicing Differently

Other Blogs Yoga Avec Moi has written about Yoga Therapy:

1. Sneak Peak Into An Integrative Yoga Therapy Session With Nahal Haghbin

2. Integrative Yoga Therapy 101

3. Infectious Disease Outbreak Through The Lens Of Integrative Yoga Therapy: How To Protect Yourself With The Science Of Emotions (I)

4. Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About How Integrative Yoga Therapy Can Help Your Romantic Relationship

5. Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About How Yoga Therapy Can Help Your Intimate Relationship Part II

6. Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About How Integrative Yoga Therapy Can Help Your Romantic Relationship Part III

Ways to Work With Nahal

Private Integrative Yoga Therapy (Online)
Nahal offers one-on-one Integrative Yoga Therapy sessions tailored to each individual’s physical, emotional, and nervous-system needs. Sessions may support stress regulation, recovery, chronic conditions, life transitions, and overall well-being.

👉 Book a private session

Human Design Sessions & Core Classes
In addition to Yoga Therapy, Nahal offers Human Design readings, foundational and advanced core classes, and integrative educational offerings that help individuals understand their energy, decision-making, life themes, and relational patterns.

Memberships & Ongoing Study (Patreon)
For those seeking deeper, ongoing learning, Nahal hosts membership-based offerings on Patreon, including:

Integrative Yoga Therapy practices
Human Design study and reflection
Breathwork programs
Seven Valleys & Yogic Chakras teachings
Community classes and long-form explorations

👉 Explore memberships & programs

Introduction to the Author

About Nahal Haghbin (陈娜娜 | Chen Nana)

Nahal Haghbin (Chinese name: 陈娜娜, Chen Nana) is a Canadian-born Integrative Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) who grew up in Tianjin, China. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s degree in Control of Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

In 2014, Nahal worked with the World Health Organization on global outbreak responses including H7N9, MERS-CoV, and Ebola, serving within the Assistant Director-General’s Office Taskforce. Her professional path was shaped by her teenage experience of the SARS outbreak in 2003, which led her to pursue a career in global health and the control of infectious disease outbreaks.

During her time at the WHO, Nahal experienced a quiet but pivotal realization: in environments of sustained crisis, even the most capable professionals become deeply fatigued, and presence itself becomes a scarce resource. Relying on meditation to remain grounded during this period, she recognized that nervous-system regulation and embodied awareness are foundational to clear decision-making and collective safety. This insight led her to shift her work toward teaching practices that cultivate presence, resilience, and coherence—through Integrative Yoga Therapy, breathwork, Human Design education, and ongoing study programs. Nahal now offers private sessions, core and advanced classes, and membership-based learning, supporting individuals who seek both practical tools and deeper understanding in how they meet life, health, and complexity.