In today’s world, stress has become an increasing concern of modern life. With growing awareness of the link between stress and negative health outcomes, more and more people are turning to practical activities that promote the wellbeing of the mind and body. Yoga therapy is one example that has been hailed for relieving stress, anxiety, and physical discomfort in clients. By placing a strong emphasis on the needs of the individual, yoga therapy has a lot to offer to a range of different people.
As a yoga therapist, you’ll work to understand the needs, requirements, and limitations of the individual. In the process, you’ll develop a series of postures that are personalized and modified to the client. If you’re interested in exploring the outcomes of a rewarding career, here’s a closer look at how yoga therapy can benefit client wellness.
Reducing Stress in Clients After Yoga Therapy Training
Yoga therapy is commonly linked to stress reduction, particularly since a number of common techniques – such as mindfulness and breathing exercises – are designed to promote body-mind integration. In other words, yoga therapy is a holistic practice that supports the client on all levels of their being, including their emotional, spiritual, and energetic well being. On the emotional benefits of yoga therapy, Program Director of Yoga Therapy at VSOHA, Chelsea Lee, said, “Particularly in the current global climate, now more than ever, there is a need for individuals to be able to self-regulate the increased stress and anxiety that they experience.”
According to Chelsea, those in a yoga therapy career should encourage clients to “examine their own patterns of behaviour and ask whether there are healthier choices to address the stress that is coming up.” The course at VSOHA combines the tradition of yoga with an evidence-based, scientific understanding of the body-mind connection. The practice emphasizes the present moment by encouraging clients to ground their minds in the sensation of their breath and the feeling of their body during different postures. By creating a state of relaxation, clients can build habits that balance their emotional state.
Improving Physical Wellbeing
Beyond the mental and emotional dimensions, yoga therapy can address specific physical health concerns in clients. The practice has been used to improve many physiological conditions, helping to regulate blood pressure and heart rate, while managing physical ailments like back pain, migraines, and low energy. A yoga therapist’s role is to assess a client’s physical wellbeing and apply their training to develop a program that will improve their ability to perform various activities.
According to Chelsea, a yoga therapy certificate is designed for individuals who want to elevate their knowledge of yoga practices: “Yoga therapy training moves them beyond teaching a general public class to a more focused class addressing higher needs or concerns.” The Yoga Therapy course at VSOHA is specifically designed to deliver practical experience to students in supervised sessions with members of the public. “Students engage in a case study project where they are able to cater their training to the areas they are most interested in, whether that’s working with clients through concussion, postpartum health, or physical injury,” says Chelsea. With a combination of theoretical and practical training, students can tailor their practice to a client’s physical health.
Empowering Clients With Knowledge
Yoga therapy is designed to deepen a client’s awareness of the body and mind and promote balance at its more subtle level. Beyond the sessions that they offer, yoga therapists should motivate clients to develop practices on a regular basis. Part of the role of a yoga therapist is to educate clients on how to take care of themselves. Through private sessions, clients are taught how to create home programs and learn tools to manage the symptoms they experience. According to Chelsea, “the main intention is to empower people with the knowledge to help themselves.” In many cases, individuals may not have access to a group yoga class or feel comfortable going. With private one-on-one sessions, “they can learn about the specific kind of support that they need from their yoga therapist and what they can do on their own at home,” says Chelsea. With the right training, students can assume the responsibility of bringing rewarding and fulfilling practices to clients.
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