Yoga Therapy

Yoga therapy is a tailored approach that uses yoga-based movement, breathing and relaxation techniques to support specific health and wellbeing goals. It is typically more individualised than a general yoga class and may be delivered one-to-one or in small groups.

Sessions can support stress management, mobility, and chronic pain coping as part of a wider plan.

Lets find you a Yoga Therapist...

Or, view all Yoga Therapist

Yoga therapy adapts yoga practices to support individual needs. It can include posture work (asana), breathing practices (pranayama), relaxation, mindfulness and lifestyle guidance. The emphasis is usually on safety, gradual progression and building a sustainable home practice.

How yoga therapy differs from a yoga class

Yoga classes are often general and fitness-oriented. Yoga therapy typically involves assessment, goal setting and adaptations for symptoms, injuries, long-term conditions or stress patterns. The therapist may also help you track outcomes such as pain, sleep, mood and mobility.

What can yoga therapy help with?

Stress, anxiety and burnout support
Sleep issues related to overthinking or stress
Chronic pain coping and gentle conditioning
Lower back pain support (where appropriate and adapted)
Mobility and confidence in movement

Safety and suitability

Yoga therapy should be adapted to your body and symptoms. If you have acute injury, severe pain, significant dizziness, unstable medical conditions or neurological symptoms, seek clinical advice and work with appropriately qualified professionals. Good yoga therapists will encourage medical input when needed and avoid pushing into pain.

Building a realistic home practice

Many people benefit most from short, consistent practices. A therapist may recommend a simple routine (for example 10–20 minutes) to support relaxation, mobility and resilience between sessions.

History of Yoga Therapy

Yoga has ancient roots and has evolved over many centuries. Modern yoga therapy developed as practitioners and clinicians explored how yoga-based movement, breath and relaxation practices could be adapted for individual health needs.

In the UK, yoga therapy is commonly used as a complementary approach to support stress management, wellbeing routines and gentle rehabilitation alongside conventional healthcare when required.

Typical conditions that use Yoga Therapy

Condition	Evidence	Notes
Sedentary lifestyle support	strong	Combines gentle postures and breathing to improve flexibility and energy, easing a stiff, inactive body back into movement.
ADHD (support / coaching alongside medical care)	moderate	Yoga therapy combines movement, breathing and focus to release physical restlessness and calm the nervous system, helping people with ADHD settle and concentrate.
Asthma-related anxiety support (adjunct)	moderate	Gentle yoga combines breathing and relaxation practices that may ease tension and the anxious breathlessness associated with asthma.
Back pain (upper)	moderate	Improves mobility and posture to ease upper back tension.
Balance issues support	moderate	Slow, mindful postures and breathing work train balance, coordination and focus, helping you feel steadier and more in control of movement.
Breathing pattern dysfunction support	moderate	Yoga therapy uses gentle breath-control techniques and posture work to slow the breath and counter the over-breathing seen in this condition.
Caregiver stress	moderate	Yoga therapy may help carers release physical tension and calm the nervous system, as a complement to other support, not a replacement.
Emotional dysregulation (neurodiversity)	moderate	Yoga therapy combines breath and movement to calm the nervous system, helping neurodivergent people steady the body when emotions run high.
Exam stress	moderate	Yoga therapy combines breathing and gentle movement to ease the physical tension of exam stress; a helpful complement to other support.
Fatigue	moderate	Yoga therapy combines gentle movement and breathing to ease tension and support pacing, which may help with energy levels alongside other care.
Grief and bereavement	moderate	Gentle movement and breath to support the body through grief.
Gut-brain stress symptoms	moderate	Gentle yoga combines movement and breathing to calm stress; helpful as support, though evidence is limited and not a replacement for care.
High blood pressure stress support (adjunct)	moderate	Yoga therapy combines gentle movement and slow breathing to ease stress and support steadier blood pressure as part of wider care.
Insomnia	moderate	Evening breath and movement practices that support better sleep.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)	moderate	Yoga combines gentle movement and breathing to ease stress; it may support IBS relief but is best used alongside appropriate care.
Limited mobility support	moderate	Yoga therapy uses adapted postures and breathing to improve flexibility, balance and joint range, supporting gentler everyday movement.
Menopause symptoms	moderate	Movement, breath and relaxation that can ease menopausal symptoms and support sleep.
Menstrual cramps / painful periods	moderate	Gentle yoga postures and breathing may relieve pelvic tension and ease the cramping discomfort of painful periods.
Non-restorative sleep	moderate	Combines gentle movement and breathing to calm the nervous system, easing the physical tension that leaves sleep light and unrefreshing.
Parkinson’s support (adjunct)	moderate	Yoga therapy may gently support flexibility, balance and relaxation in Parkinson's, though evidence is limited and it should supplement medical care.
PMDD support (adjunct)	moderate	Gentle yoga therapy may ease the irritability, tension and fatigue that surface premenstrually, supporting overall PMDD self-management.
Postural pain	moderate	Builds awareness, mobility and strength to support better posture.
Pregnancy anxiety support	moderate	Pregnancy yoga combines breath and gentle movement to calm anxiety.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)	moderate	Yoga therapy may lift energy and mood during winter through movement and breathwork, alongside proven treatments for SAD.
Stress	moderate	Combines breathwork, movement and relaxation to help regulate the nervous system under stress.
Trouble staying asleep	moderate	Yoga therapy's gentle stretches and breathing may lower night-time arousal; evidence is limited, so treat it as a supportive addition to care.
Work-life balance	moderate	Movement and breathwork may ease the physical tension of a demanding workload, but evidence is limited and it complements rather than replaces proper care.
Burnout	limited	Combining gentle movement, breathwork and relaxation, yoga therapy may ease the tension and exhaustion of burnout, though evidence is limited and it is not a substitute for appropriate professional care.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be flexible?

No. Practices are adapted and focused on comfort, pacing and breath.

Will I get a home plan?

Yes, usually a short routine is provided to practise safely between sessions.

Is it suitable alongside physiotherapy?

Often yes. Coordination with your clinician can be helpful for specific conditions.