Yoga as a therapy: what it is and how it works

There’s a certain type of person who might never walk into a typical yoga studio. Not because they’re not curious. Not because they don’t feel the pressure building in their chest on a Sunday night, or the tightness that seems to have moved into their shoulders and made itself at home. But because “yoga,” as they know it, doesn’t quite fit.

It might feel too public. Too bendy. Too spiritual. Or maybe it simply feels like one more thing to do, in an already saturated life of things to do.

But what if yoga looked different? What if therapy didn’t just mean talking to someone about what’s gone wrong, but also involved gently moving the body out of survival mode? What if the yoga studio wasn’t a room full of flexible bodies moving in unison, but a quiet space where you could breathe again, on your own?

This is yoga as therapy—and we think it may be exactly what stressed-out professionals need.

What is yoga as a therapy, really?

Let’s start by clearing up a few things. yoga as a therapy is not just a fancy name for gentle yoga. It’s a personalised approach that uses the tools of yoga—movement, breath, stillness, and awareness—as a therapeutic intervention. It’s yoga that’s tailored to your unique needs, whether you’re dealing with chronic stress, burnout, anxiety, or even just need some expert guidance as you learn the ropes.

Unlike group classes at your local yoga studio, yoga as therapy is tailored to the individual. Think of it as therapy for your nervous system. You don’t need to be flexible, fit, or even particularly motivated. You just need to be willing to try something a little different.

Why the usual fixes don’t fix

High-achieving people—lawyers, executives, entrepreneurs, medics—are often the last to reach out for help. When they do, it’s usually after they’ve tried everything else: supplements, gym memberships, podcasts, meditation apps… wine. Nothing quite gets them there. The body is still wired. The sleep is still broken. The shoulders are still way up there.

That’s because the nervous system doesn’t respond well to intellectual strategies alone. You can’t out-think your way out of chronic stress. Therapy can help, yes. But the missing piece for many is the body.

Here’s a way to think about it. When an animal narrowly escapes danger—say, it runs from a predator—you’ll often see it shake violently afterwards. It’s not random. It’s the body’s way of literally discharging the stress. It resets the system. But humans? We don’t do that. We freeze. We cope. We press on. The stress doesn’t get shaken off—it just gets stored. Layer by layer, over years and decades. Tension, anxiety, unexplained pain. It stacks up quietly, until one day it’s not so quiet anymore.

Yoga therapy helps you begin to unravel that. Gently. Safely. One layer at a time.

What does yoga as a therapy actually involve?

It’s always tailored to you — so if you like incense, you get incense. If you don’t, you don’t. If you like chanting, you’ll get it, and if you don’t…you get the gist. With yoga as a therapy, there’s no pressure or obligation to do or be anything. It’s entirely based on your needs and preferences.

But in general, a session might begin with a casual convo about how you’ve been feeling—physically, emotionally, mentally. You might talk about your sleep, your digestion, your energy levels, or your ability to concentrate.

From there, your instructor might guide you through some very simple breaths, a meditation, or a particular set of movements. One session, you may need to focus on long stretches to release stuck stress in the body; other days, you may need to boost your mood with something a little more dynamic.

Yoga as a therapy is less about “doing yoga” and more about “being” with the aid of yoga as a tool. Over time, the body learns to trust this space. The tension starts to soften. The mind stops racing. The breath gets deeper without being forced. That’s when the real “therapy” begins.

Yoga studios versus 1:1 yoga

If you’ve been to a yoga studio before and left feeling out of place, you’re not alone. Many yoga studios cater to a younger, more flexible crowd, or lean heavily into spiritual philosophy. That’s wonderful—for those who are seeking that. But for someone who’s never done yoga before, especially someone in midlife or beyond, it can feel alienating.

A yoga as a therapy session by contrast, feels different. It’s quieter. Slower. There’s no comparison, no mirrors, no pressure to perform. The focus is entirely on your experience, not how you look.

It’s a space for people who don’t want the noise. Who want to hear themselves again.

Common reasons clients choose yoga as a therapy

If you’re wondering whether it’s for you, here are a few reasons people turn to yoga as a therapy:

• Burnout or fatigue that doesn’t lift, no matter how many holidays you take.

• Chronic pain or tension—often neck, shoulders, or lower back—with no clear medical explanation.

• Anxiety or insomnia, particularly the kind that flares up at night.

• Grief that lingers long after you’ve “moved on.”

• Life transitions like retirement, divorce, career change, or empty nesting.

• A desire to reconnect with a body that feels more like a vehicle than a home.

You don’t need to wait until things fall apart. Often, yoga as a therapy works best as a preventative measure—as a way to create space before life forces it on you.

But I don’t have time

The very people who need this most often believe they’re too busy for it. And yet, the paradox is this: one hour of personalised, nervous system-regulating practice each week could make the other 167 hours more bearable—maybe even enjoyable. That’s also why Yoga@Yours was created — we knew that a lack of time is one of the biggest barriers for people to experience yoga as a therapy, so we decided we would come to you, instead of the other way around.

You might find yourself sleeping better. Making decisions with more clarity. Being less reactive with your partner. Feeling more spacious in your chest, more grounded in your feet. And none of it requires you to become a yogi or change your lifestyle overnight.

Yoga therapy invites you to do just that. Not to fix yourself, but to meet yourself. Not to perform, but to feel. It’s not yoga as exercise. It’s yoga as self-reclamation.

And maybe—just maybe—it’s the therapy your nervous system has been quietly asking for.

Is It ‘real’ therapy?

If you believe therapy should be a space where you feel seen, heard, and gently supported in moving through difficulty—then yes, yoga as a therapy absolutely qualifies.

In fact, it complements traditional therapy beautifully. For those already seeing a psychologist or counsellor, yoga therapy can provide a somatic (body-based) bridge between insight and change. For others, it may serve as a gentle entry point into healing—one that feels less intimidating than traditional talk therapy.*

Find out more about our services and book now.

*Disclaimer: The services described in this article, including yoga therapy, are not regulated health services under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCAA). Practitioners offering yoga therapy are not registered health professionals and do not hold qualifications in psychology, counselling, or other regulated therapeutic disciplines. Yoga therapy is intended as a complementary practice to support wellbeing and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing significant mental or physical health issues, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified health practitioner. You can learn more about New Zealand’s regulated health services via legislation.govt.nz.