Yoga therapy is a holistic practice that uses elements of yoga to promote health and well-being as well as to treat specific health problems and support the healing process. Whatever the goal, the focus is always on the human being as an integrated and interrelated system. In the practice of yoga therapy, the natural self-healing powers are activated in order to lead the person from a state of suffering (dukkha) to a state of well-being (sukha).
WHAT IS YOGA THERAPY?
Unlike traditional yoga, which often focuses on physical fitness and mental relaxation, yoga therapy focuses on achieving individual health goals. The practice includes a combination of breathing exercises, postures, meditation and relaxation techniques.
- Movements that range from gentle to powerful,
- breathing techniques,
- meditation or visualization exercises
- relaxation methods
- postures that address specific areas of musculoskeletal discomfort or imbalance, and
- any combination of aids such as these
The focus is set according to individual needs. Yoga therapists work closely with their clients to understand their needs and develop personalized exercise programs that can help alleviate physical discomfort, reduce stress, promote emotional balance and improve overall health.
FOR WHICH AILMENTS IS YOGA THERAPY SUITABLE?
The practice deals with many conditions, including but not limited to:
- Chronic pain: including low back pain, arthritis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and other types of pain such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
- Musculoskeletal system: diseases of the spine (scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, hernia, etc.), joints and muscles, back pain, osteoarthritis, arthritis, osteoporosis
- Cardiovascular and respiratory system : heart disease, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases, including COPD, asthma, COVID-19 recovery
- Nervous system & degenerative diseases: Stress management, burnout, trauma, anxiety, autoimmune disorders, stroke, migraine, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Parkinson’s, MS
- Digestive system : ulcers, acid reflux, IBD such as Chron’s disease, constipation, etc.
- Immune system & endocrine system: diabetes type I and II, sleep disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjögren’s, autoimmune diseases, hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism
- People affected by cancer & cancer patients: Family members, caregivers, people diagnosed with cancer: before, during and after treatment
- Reproductive system, family & aging: urinary tract health issues, specific men’s health – physiology and reproductive system, specific women’s health (including menstruation, fertility, pre/postpartum, menopause), for adults and seniors and for people with disabilities, within the family and for adolescents.
- Grief and loss: The loss of a loved one can be a painful experience, and it is not just the loss of a family member or friend that can cause grief. The loss of a pet, friends moving away, retirement or other significant life changes can also lead to grief. In these situations, yoga therapy can help calm overwhelming thoughts and emotions, promote overall well-being and resilience during difficult times, and keep your nervous system in balance. This allows you to better regulate your emotions and find peace with the presence of grief in your life.
- General wellbeing (you don’t have to be ill or in pain to benefit from yoga therapy!) and healthy ageing
PROCEDURE
During the intake interview, we look together at where you are in your life and where you would like to develop further or where your problem areas lie. This can be on a physical but also on a mental/emotional level. Based on this, we set your goals.
In the physical and breathing assessment, I will analyze your posture, movements, breathing and energetic aspects, taking into account any limitations and information from the intake interview.
This is followed by individual treatments, which are tailored to your needs and daily form and can be constantly adapted. The duration of the sessions can vary between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on your state of health, progress and needs, and will be individually agreed with you.
Services
I am currently in the practical part of my training to become an IAYT Yoga Therapist at the Yoga Therapy Institute in Amsterdam and offer treatments as part of my case studies (accompanied by mentoring) under the following conditions.
Bundle of 10.5 hours at CHF 699.-
- 90 min. intake interview
- 90 min. physical and breathing assessment
- 7.5 therapy hours (can be divided e.g. into 10x 45 min. or 5x 90 min. or a mix of both with 60 min. treatments)
Payment per session: CHF 75.00 / h
I have questions and would like to be contacted…
Treatments take place on site at the studio in Umiken. Sessions are possible via Zoom or as home visits (max. 30 min. journey and at extra cost).
Scientific articles on yoga in therapy:
https://yogatherapy.health/research/