Yoga therapy
The key difference lies in the intention and application:
While yoga is generally practiced to support overall health and personal development, yoga therapy uses the methods of yoga in a targeted way to alleviate symptoms and support healing processes. This includes physical postures, breathing techniques, and relaxation practices—always combined with mindfulness and conscious self-awareness.
A growing body of research demonstrates the positive effects of yoga across a range of health conditions. As a result, yoga therapy is gaining increasing recognition within medical contexts. At its core lies a crucial element: fostering self-efficacy.
Through individually tailored practices, patients develop a more refined awareness of their bodies—and learn to actively influence their own health.
How does yoga therapy work?
Yoga therapy is suitable for everyone—regardless of age, physical condition, or prior yoga experience.
The starting point is a personal consultation in which we consider your symptoms, lifestyle, and individual resources. From this, we develop a tailored practice that is continuously adapted over time.
The foundations of my therapeutic work include:
individualized, step-by-step practice
pain-free practice—during and after the session
regular self-practice as the key to effectiveness
fostering self-confidence and personal agency
refining body awareness and self-perception
At the core is breath-centered practice:
Movement follows your individual breathing rhythm. Breath and movement are consciously linked—allowing mental activity to recede and a state of inner focus to emerge. You learn to perceive changes early on, such as signs of stress, tension, or overload.The practice is always adapted to your current capacity. In this way, it remains challenging without becoming overwhelming.
Even short sessions of 10–15 minutes (see also my “Yoga Snacks”) can be effective—the key is consistency.
Therapeutic Principle: Regulation Instead of Overload
Yoga therapy does not work through performance, but through regulation.
A mindful practice activates the body, improves circulation, and supports metabolism. At the same time, it influences the nervous system: stress responses are reduced, while calmness and focus increase.
This interplay is essential:
physical activation and relaxation are interlinked—and stabilize each other.
Research in salutogenesis shows that this kind of self-efficacious, awareness-based practice is a key factor in health and well-being.
When can yoga therapy help?
Yoga therapy can be used both as a supportive approach for chronic conditions and in times of acute stress. It has a regulating, stabilizing, and supportive effect on the healing process.
Focus areas of my work:
Musculoskeletal system
Back pain, osteoarthritis, sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction
Osteoporosis
Internal medicine & metabolism
Diabetes and insulin resistance
Cardiovascular conditions
Digestive disorders
Headaches
Women’s health
Menstrual discomfort
Menopause
Nervous system & mental health
Stress and exhaustion
Burnout-related symptoms
Chronic fatigue
For more specific information on yoga therapy for metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance, prediabetes, and diabetes: www.anja-orttmann-heuser.de
Foto all @Anja Orttmann-Heuser