Belgian Association
of Yoga Therapists
What is Yoga Therapy?
Although all yoga is potentially therapeutic and healing, yoga therapy is the specific application of yoga tools like poses/exercises, breathwork, meditation techniques, and more, to support an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional health.
Yoga Therapy is a recommended practice in addition to treatment by healthcare providers for chronic health conditions:
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Back pain
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Burnout, stress and anxiety
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Sleep issues
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Auto immune diseases
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High blood pressure and heart disease
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Infertility
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Parkinson
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Cancer
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Breathing difficulties
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Aging-related issues
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Menopause
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In Yoga Therapy you are an active participant on your path to wellness.
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A certified yoga therapist will meet with you one-on-one to create a safe practice designed specifically for you. They will:
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Review your medical file and speak with you about any health concerns.
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Determine which movements, breathing and mindfulness practices are safe and therapeutic for you.
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Show you the proper technique to prevent injury.
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Explain the effect of the different physical, breathing, and mental exercises
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Guide you in relaxation and stress management.
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Help you reach your personal wellness goals.
Yoga Therapy is accessible and safe regardless of your age and physical condition. You don’t need to have any experience with yoga before starting therapy. Even people with very severe limitations in movement can practice yoga therapy safely.
What is the difference between a yoga teacher and a yoga therapist?
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A yoga teacher guides group classes for general wellness, while a yoga therapist works one-on-one to address specific health conditions, A yoga therapist undergoes advanced training, often 650+ hours or more, building on a previous yoga teacher certification. A yoga therapy training includes in-depth anatomy as well as the pathophysiology of a wide array of chronic health conditions (e.g. cardiovascular, hormonal, nervous system-related illnesses) and prepares the therapists to tailor the therapy for all the structural and functional health issues a client has.
Yoga therapy includes a full intake, as well as personalized physical and breathing assessment, in order to make the therapy effective as well as safe.
The therapists featured on the BAYT website are fully certified with a minimum of 500 hours of training and a fully completed diploma, acquired at a yoga therapy school which is either accredited by the IAYT, or screened by BAYT.
The highest global standard in yoga therapy is the C-IAYT certification (i.e. certified by the International Association of Yoga Therapists). To be certified by IAYT, a yoga therapist needs to have completed at least 800 hours of training at an IAYT-accredited school.