Beyond the Handstand: Taking a Look at Therapeutically Applied Yoga

When you think of yoga, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s a serene image of someone meditating, or a powerful pose like a headstand. Maybe there is no picture, and instead you feel a sense of anxiety, discomfort, or uncertainty. 

In Western contexts, yoga is often associated with the physical practice of asana, or postural practice. While there are many benefits to more vigorous or physically demanding styles, yoga offers far more than physical exercise. It is a holistic practice that can be integrated into everyday life in ways that support both body and mind. 

Therapeutically Applied Yoga sessions may look quite different from what you expect. Rather than focusing on performance or appearance, these sessions draw on the eight limbs of yoga to create a personalized, trauma-informed approach that meets you where you are. 

The eight limbs offer a framework for living and practicing with intention, so what are they? 

The Yamas (ethical restraints) guide how we relate to others and the world, while the Niyamas (personal observances) support how we relate to ourselves. These may include practices such as ahimsa (non-violence) or tapas (discipline), explored in ways that feel relevant and supportive to your life. What this can look like in practice is learning your personal and interpersonal boundaries and noticing when you are pushing past the point of comfort. Yin yoga is one example of where physical boundaries can be explored with therapeutic support.  

While Asana (physical postures) is often emphasized in Western yoga, it was traditionally intended to prepare the body for stillness and meditation. Each posture can offer a different perspective, both physically and internally. Different practices hold different intentions. Depending on your needs, we may focus on slowing things down and building a new, and different relationship to your body, moving away from a desire to fix towards a sense of being. Perhaps we are starting at a place where you can begin to notice that you even have a body, and then slowly move towards a sense of safety.  

It might be that practices such as Dhyana (meditation) may not initially sound like your cup of tea. Sitting in stillness may not be where we start, instead we might begin by incorporating mindfulness practices that can support sustained awareness and presence. With time, this can lead you towards Samadhi (absorption or integration), or a deeper sense of connection or wholeness. In learning to be with what is there, space can start to emerge to form a new internal relationship.  

Sessions may also incorporate Pranayama (breath regulation) to support nervous system regulation, or Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses) to gently turn inward and build awareness of your internal experience. Dharana (concentration) can be used to anchor attention on a single point, such as the breath, a word, or a sensation.  

All of these practices can work together, or separately, to help you reconnect with your body, release tension, and cultivate a greater sense of calm and inner strength. 

In session, you may be guided through gentle movement, breathwork, and mindfulness practices that support relaxation, self-awareness, and resilience. Sessions are paced collaboratively, with space to pause, adjust, or shift based on what feels supportive in the moment.  

Whether you’re new to yoga or returning to it in a different way, Therapeutically Applied Yoga offers a supportive and inclusive space. It is not about achieving a pose, it is about building a relationship with yourself, at your own pace. 

If you’re curious about exploring yoga in a way that feels supportive, accessible, and grounded in your needs, I invite you to reach out to book a free 20-minute consultation.