Yoga vs. Yoga Therapy

In 1998, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that an eight-week yoga program had positive results for people with carpal tunnel syndrome. These promising results got a lot of publicity, sparking interest among the general public and health care professionals about yoga's potential as a therapeutic modality. After hearing about such a study, many people—including doctors—might believe they can walk into any yoga class with a medical malady and be healed. But the fact is, if someone with carpal tunnel syndrome shows up at a hatha yoga class that includes poses that are weight-bearing on the hands and wrists (think Plank, Upward-Facing Dog, and Handstand), they could easily wind up worse than when they started. So, while such studies help raise awareness about yoga, it's crucial that we discern the difference between a typical yoga class and yoga therapy.

In the JAMA study, one of the key components that led to the positive results is that senior Iyengar teacher Marian Garfinkel carefully designed a therapeutic yoga program tailored to the specific needs of carpal tunnel patients and, when necessary, adapted it to the individuals in the group. There are exceptions, but for the most part, this kind of personalization is rarely possible in a class setting.

Yoga therapy is typically conducted one-on-one or in small groups. Often, a session more closely resembles an appointment with a physical therapist or rehabilitation specialist than it does a typical yoga class. What sets this healing modality apart from others is the focus on linking movement to deep, rhythmic breathing. Another difference is the emphasis on relaxation. In fact, when someone is gravely ill, a therapist may suggest that the entire practice consist only of breath awareness and relaxation until the patient is ready to tackle more.

Timothy McCall is Yoga Journal's medical editor. To suggest ideas for future columns, e-mail him at drmccall@yogajournal.com. You can also find him through his Web site, www.drmccall.com.

Enjoy individualized instruction in a small group setting. Suitable for all levels - from beginners to advanced students looking to become more mindful in their practice.

Each series focuses on several key areas:

Introducing mindfulness into our physical practice (asana) as a gateway to understanding and experiencing meditation.

Using optimal alignment in the body to facilitate self awareness, improve posture, and develop strength.

Deep muscle stretching to increase flexibility, promote relaxation and release tension.

Breath-awareness and guided-relaxation techniques to build spaciousness in the body and mind and encourage stress-relief.

Introductory pranayama (breath control) and meditation instruction as a foundation to promote inner peace and mental clarity.