Yoga therapy differs from a yoga class in the same way physiotherapy differs from going to the gym. The practice is selected for your condition, your current capacity and your limitations — and it changes as you do.
A woman with PCOD, a man with lower back pain and someone managing high blood pressure need substantially different practices. A single class cannot serve all three well, and attempting to often causes harm.
Dr. Priyanka's BNYS training covers yogic sciences alongside naturopathy, which means practice is prescribed clinically rather than taught generically.
How it works in practice
Assessment before prescription
Your condition, existing injuries, joint mobility, current fitness and what you can realistically fit into a week. Contraindicated postures are identified and excluded before anything is prescribed.
Practice matched to the condition
Restorative and pelvic-focused work for menstrual and fertility concerns; spinal mobility and core stability for back pain; slow, extended-exhalation breathwork for hypertension and anxiety.
Pranayama as clinical practice
Breathing techniques have measurable effects on the autonomic nervous system, blood pressure and stress response. They are prescribed with the same specificity as posture.
Progression over time
Practice advances as capacity grows, and adapts around cycle phase, pregnancy stage, flare-ups and life circumstances.
Short enough to actually do
A twenty-minute practice done daily is worth far more than a ninety-minute practice done occasionally. Sequences are built for the life you have.
What your plan may include
- Assessment of mobility, capacity and contraindications
- A sequence prescribed for your specific condition
- Pranayama selected for your physiological needs
- Written or recorded guidance you can follow at home
- Progression and adaptation reviewed at each follow-up
- Modifications for pregnancy, injury or flare-ups
Common questions
Do I need to be flexible or have done yoga before?
No. Yoga therapy is prescribed from where you currently are, and a substantial proportion of people starting have never practised. Postures are modified to your body rather than the other way round.
Can yoga therapy be taught online?
Yes. Sessions are conducted over video, which allows Dr. Priyanka to observe and correct your alignment directly. You will need a mat and a couple of metres of clear floor.
How is this different from a yoga class?
A class teaches a general sequence to a group. Yoga therapy assesses your specific condition and prescribes a practice for it, excluding what would be unsafe for you and progressing it over time.
How long should I practise each day?
Usually twenty to thirty minutes, and consistency matters far more than duration. A shorter daily practice is prescribed in preference to a longer one you will not maintain.
This page is general information, not medical advice for your situation. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a qualified medical practitioner, and nothing here should lead you to stop or change prescribed medication. Please read our medical disclaimer.