Difference Between Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist

In India, one would participate in Yoga for maintenance of good health (Svatantram). When illness, injury or a symptoms present indicating imbalances at any level of the person’s being (physical, physiological, mind, spiritual), they turn to Yoga Therapy. Yoga Therapy aims to facilitate a client to symptoms relief (Samanam) or resolution (Sodhanam). The Yoga Therapy process empowering the client to be an active participant in their healing.

A Yoga Teacher typically has completed at least 200 hours of learning the foundations of Yoga philosophy, postures, how to cue breath with movement and meditation. Yoga Teachers are taught on how to teach assumed able bodied and healthy groups of people. They are governed by the Yoga Alliance.

Yoga Therapists have their foundational teacher training and then an additional 800+ hours of training where they are taught how to carefully assess, prescribe and progress clients to address their symptoms using specific tools of Yoga. Medical conditions at the physical, physiological and psychological levels are reviewed and understood from a Yoga Therapy perspective.

When looking for a Yoga Therapist to address your unique needs, consider their training and experience in order to find the right fit for you.