Comments on: Psychotherapists Probe Mind-Body Relationship, Threaten Yoga Therapy ‘Career’?

By: _Melissa_

_Melissa_ — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:44:36 +0000

As a psychotherapist with a personal daily yoga practice, I am often suggesting clients try incorporating yoga into their lives. Anything from deep breathing to enrolling into yoga classes at local studios can be beneficial to mental wellness. Since I am not yet certified to teach yoga, I do not lead clients in any straight out yoga poses. If I were, I would feel I was being unethical. I do plan on teacher training in the near future.

By: Shilpa

Shilpa — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:00:58 +0000

Good post. What you wrote is true, there are no official licenses or standards of practice for yoga therapy.

By: yoga nation

yoga nation — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:06:14 +0000

This is a rip off of the article I wrote for GAIA magazine in November 2008:
Here’s my piece: http://commongroundmag.com/2008/11/yogatherapy0811.html

The writer used my idea, my story flow, and re-reported on my exact sources. Sad.

By: Lynn Somerstein

Lynn Somerstein — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 21:40:44 +0000

The yoga and psychology combination is powerful. I started studying yoga while I was in high school– therapy came much later, and I am a licensed psychoanalyst and RYT yoga teacher. Yes, I do combine yogic wisdom with western psychology in my private practice as a therapist, where I sometimes include breathing techniques, meditation, and a few simple asanas for grounding purposes, for people who feel open to this mixture. Not everyone does.

Although I am also a yoga teacher, I don’t teach a yoga class when I’m doing therapy. I do talk about yoga and suggest that people try studying yoga, as do many of my colleagues.

We are not taking clients away from anyone– rather, we are sending clients to yoga teachers.

It’s a big world–there’s room for everybody.

By: Pink Heels

Pink Heels — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:03:36 +0000

You might be surprised to find out how well integrated yoga has been added into mainstream healthcare. Many hospitals offer and encourage yoga classes for their chronic patients. I am also starting to see continuing education credits for healthcare providers that link yoga and well-being together.

By: admin

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:36:02 +0000

EcoYogini: You’re probably right. Perhaps it’s wishful pie in the sky to think that the docs will bring full on yoga. But…at the same time if patients are receiving what they need why go to another yoga therapist? Someone who is not officially “certified” in the medical field so to speak. Just sayin. The whole thing is open to much wider discussion on the topic of legitimacy and a yoga profession.
Thanks for continuing the conversation… it helps tremendously to have other perspectives chime in!

By: EcoYogini

EcoYogini — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:16:24 +0000

Well… I agree with both of your points…. except.
Relaxation techniques have been used by Health Professionals for decades now (think Feldenkreis). Speech-Language Pathologists are trained to use relaxation and meditation techniques with their adult clients, and this has not taken away from yoga instructors.

I highly doubt that Physicians, psychologists or Paediatricians are going to begin giving yoga classes in their offices. More likely they will incorporate some meditative techniques, and hire a yoga instructor for their clinic.