Fascinating Differences Between A Yoga Therapist & Yoga Teacher Explained

If you've been curious about what exactly a yoga therapist does compared to a yoga teacher, this article is for you.

Yoga is a holistic approach to health and well-being that can improve physical, mental, and emotional health. That said, yoga is so much more than just the physical practice of performing yoga poses like we do in yoga classes, and yoga therapists harness that.

Read on to explore how yoga therapists differ from yoga teachers based on their training and how they treat various ailments.


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How a yoga therapist differs from a yoga teacher

The roles of a yoga teacher and a yoga therapist may seem similar at first glance, but they differ significantly in terms of training, focus, and approach.

While both professionals utilize yoga as a foundational practice, the depth of knowledge and application of techniques vary depending on the goal—whether it's general wellness or addressing specific health concerns.

The table below outlines the key distinctions between a yoga teacher and a yoga therapist, helping to clarify how each serves different needs within the broader yoga community.

AspectYoga teacherYoga therapist
Training200 hours of training minimum800 hours of training minimum
FocusLeads group classes aimed at general wellness, fitness, & flexibility.Works one-on-one or in small groups to tailor yoga practices to individual health conditions & therapeutic needs.
ApproachFollows a set sequence of poses & techniques suitable for a broad audience.Adapts poses, breathwork, & techniques to accommodate specific physical, mental, & emotional conditions.

Role of a yoga therapist

Yoga therapists use yoga principles to assess clients with physical, mental, and emotional health conditions and create treatment plans that address their clients' needs. 

Yoga therapists may work with individuals or groups of people and design yoga programs with positive therapeutic outcomes that manage or reduce their symptoms as the goal.

A woman lying on her back with her upper back, neck, and head supported by a bolster pillow in a yoga therapy session. Make.

Yoga teachers guide students through yoga practices that promote general wellness, physical fitness, and mental clarity. They lead group or individual classes, instructing students in various poses, breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques aimed at improving flexibility, strength, and relaxation.

Yoga teachers design sequences and practices suitable for a wide audience, focusing on enhancing overall health and well-being rather than addressing specific medical conditions.

Benefits of working with a yoga therapist

Yoga therapy training goes far beyond yoga teacher training, and yoga therapists can work with clients on a completely different level. Here are two reasons to work with a yoga therapist:

  • They can create a personalized treatment plan for clients: Yoga therapists create personalized programs that meet more specific health needs, whereas yoga teachers typically lead yoga classes, often using pre-planned sequences.
  • They have a deeper understanding of anatomy and physiology: The qualification standards for yoga therapists are high, and the required educational hours to become a yoga therapist are extensive. Simply put, they have a deeper knowledge of anatomy and physiology.

How to become a yoga therapist

If you're interested in becoming a yoga therapist, you will first need a 200-hour yoga certification, at minimum.

If you're already a certified yoga teacher, your next step is yoga therapy training. Once you've completed yoga therapy training, you can become certified through a professional organization, such as the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).

Certification is not required to practice yoga therapy. However, most yoga therapists are indeed certified. As a client, you'll want to see proof of certification to feel confident that any yoga therapist your considering has a proper education.

↓Great IAYT approved online yoga therapy courses you should look into↓

Yoga Therapy Training
(Online)
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Yoga Therapy Training
(Online)
Learn more

Takeaway on the differences between yoga therapists and yoga teachers

As you can see, there is more than one difference between a yoga therapist and a yoga teacher. Yoga therapists can offer different therapies than yoga teachers can and have more extensive training.

FAQ about yoga therapy

What is the role of a yoga therapist?

Yoga therapists create tailored protocols and prescribe specific regimens of postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques to suit their patients' needs.

What does yoga therapy include?

Yoga therapy is a type of holistic therapy that incorporates asanas or yoga postures, pranayama or breathing exercises, meditation, and guided imagery to improve a person's overall health and feelings of well-being.

Some online yoga studios, online yoga teacher training programs, and brands that we write about may offer us a small commission should you decide to make a purchase or signup after reading our content. Thank you for enabling us to exist!

Fascinating Differences Between A Yoga Therapist & Yoga Teacher Explained
Fascinating Differences Between A Yoga Therapist & Yoga Teacher Explained
Heather Jacoby
Heather Jacoby

Heather is a Certified Yoga Teacher the visionary behind The Yogatique, her passion project. She created The Yogatique to help yogis & other growth-oriented individuals discover premium high quality trainings and classes in the yoga & wellness space. Heather is a RYT-200 and a practicing yogi of more than 15 years. She is also a global citizen who has been living abroad for 10 years. Her passions include health & fitness, studying healthspan & longevity, exploring the road less traveled, & SEO. Heather can be reached at heatherj@theyogatique.com, or you can connect with Heather on LinkedIn.

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