Yoga and Therapy: Working Together for Your Well-Being

What is Yoga and Why Can it be Complementary to Therapy? Yoga for mental health is an increasingly popular topic among both practitioners and therapists.

Yoga is a practice that helps to connect mind, body, and breath. This ancient tradition involves physical postures, meditation, chanting, breathwork, and other techniques. Yoga can help to create harmony between mind, body, soul, and universal consciousness. Although it originated in ancient India, over time the practice of yoga has evolved, blending traditional wisdom with modern approaches.

Recent studies highlight the remarkable mental health benefits of yoga and its potential as a complementary tool to talk therapy, making it a valuable addition to your healing journey, combining yoga for mental health improvement. 

Mental Benefits of Yoga

While many people practice yoga for physical health benefits, it also offers incredible benefits for mental health. Research has shown that yoga can help reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain in both children and adults. Practicing regularly can improve sleep quality, breathing, and overall well-being, demonstrating that yoga for mental health can be immensely beneficial. Yoga can help our bodies activate our parasympathetic nervous system, also known as our “rest and digest” response. This system slows respiratory and heart rates, stimulates digestion, and moves blood flow away from the extremities and toward vital organs. Regular yoga practice is beneficial for mental health.

Starting a yoga practice may seem intimidating, but there are many different styles of yoga and poses that are accessible for all ages and body types, particularly beneficial when considered for mental health.

Combining Yoga and Therapy

Practicing yoga alongside therapy can deepen self-awareness and help you connect with your innate healing resources, including compassion, gratitude, love, patience, and peace. Like traditional therapy, yoga encourages mindfulness, which allows you to sit with your emotions and process them more effectively.  

Yoga can also help you to transition into a more relaxed and grounded state, which enhances the effectiveness of therapy sessions. Studies suggest that consistent yoga practice supports emotional regulation, builds resilience, and helps people cope with life challenges.

Tips for Starting Your Yoga Journey

1. Start small – 5-10 minutes a day of meditation, breathwork, or simple yoga postures can make a difference.

2. Explore free online resources – There are many beginner yoga YouTube videos or apps designed to guide your practice. These resources are often geared toward promoting mental health through yoga.

3. Join a local class – Experience the community aspect of yoga by attending a class; many studios offer introductory passes.

4. Practice self-compassion – Remember yoga is a journey, not a destination.

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References:

Forfylow, A. L. (2011). Integrating Yoga with Psychotherapy: A Complementary Treatment for Anxiety and Depression. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 45(2), 132-.

Latham, K. (2025, January 26). The mind-altering power of yoga could improve your mental health. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250124-how-yoga-can-rewire-your-brain-and-improve-your-mental-health 

Woodyard C. (2011). Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life. International journal of yoga, 4(2), 49–54. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485

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