Essential Wellness
Debbie Padnuk, R.N., E-RYT 500
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What is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga Therapy is the ancient science of yoga that focuses on health and wellness at all levels of the person: physical, psychological and spiritual. It aims to bring balance to the body and the mind through an experiential understanding of the primary intention of yoga: a wakening of spirit, our essential nature.

What is the role of the Yoga Therapist?
The yoga therapist serves as a guide or mentor in the student’s journey of healing and self discovery. Rather than offering a diagnosis and treatment for a specific condition, the yoga therapist creates a safe learning environment where the student can remember his/her own innate healing resources.

How does it work?

Yoga Therapy is based on the model of the koshas. This ancient model of the human being describes the person as multidimensional, with the source and foundation of the person being the spiritual dimension. Yoga therapy addresses every kosha level of the person individually and as an integrated whole:

  • Annamayakosha (Physical Body). The first level to take into consideration is the physical body as understood by western science including the anatomical structures and psychological processes. From the eastern perspective, the body is considered through the ayurvedic concept of the doshas.
  • Pranamayakosha (Energy Body). From the eastern perspective, the body is an interconnected network of energy and intelligence. The proper flow of energy is necessary for maintaining good health. The energy body encompasses the pranavayus or patterns of energy within the body, the energy channels or nadhis and the energy centers or chakras. The breath forms a bridge to the energy body and the breathing patterns are a window into it. Correcting breathing patterns can enhance energy flow.
  • Manomayakosha (Psychoemotional Body). Here we address the dominant emotional and thought patterns that make up the personality. From an eastern perspective, they are assessed in relation to the three gunas: rajas (an aggressive, fiery or volatile state of mind), tamas (dull or lethargic state of mind) and sattva (the balanced state).
  • Vijinamayakosha (Wisdom Body). The fourth level is mind as the witness. This is the level of recognizing and reconditioning our core beliefs. The most deeply rooted belief is “I am my personality”.
  • Anandamyakosha (Bliss Body). The fifth level is most easily explained as the level of meditation in which the mind rests in a natural state of bliss and ease. This is an important concept in terms of health and healing because it describes health as our essential nature once the confusions and distractions have been removed.

    • What "techniques" might be used in my practice?

    Yoga provides us with an endless supply of practices to support wellness. These might include: body sensing, yoga postures, breath awareness and control, guided relaxation, meditation and much more. Each practice is unique and guided by the student's needs.