Do You Need Yoga Therapy or Yoga Instruction? Here's How to Choose the Right Path for You

Yoga is a powerful tool for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being—but not all yoga is created equal. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether you’d benefit more from yoga therapy or a traditional yoga class, you’re not alone.

Both yoga instruction and yoga therapy offer profound benefits, but the key difference lies in intent and individualization. Here’s how to know which path is right for you—and how to choose wisely.

What Is Yoga Instruction?

Yoga instruction typically refers to the general classes you find at studios, gyms, or online platforms. These sessions are often:

• Group-based

• Focused on physical fitness, flexibility, and stress reduction

• Sequenced to guide the class through a flowing practice (e.g., vinyasa, hatha, yin)

These classes are great if:

• You’re looking to build strength and mobility

• You want to manage everyday stress

• You enjoy practicing in a group setting

• You don’t have specific injuries or health concerns

Yoga instruction is best for general wellness.

What Is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga therapy is a personalized, often one-on-one approach rooted in the therapeutic application of yogic tools—like movement, breathwork, meditation, and lifestyle practices—to address specific physical, mental, or emotional health conditions.

A certified yoga therapist will:

• Perform an intake assessment to understand your health history and goals

• Design a custom practice based on your unique needs

• Coordinate with other healthcare providers if needed

• Progress at a pace that’s safe and sustainable

Yoga therapy is ideal if:

• You’re recovering from an injury or surgery

• You’re dealing with chronic pain, illness, or limited mobility

• You’re struggling with mental health challenges like anxiety or depression

• You want a deeply personalized practice for healing and integration

Yoga therapy is best for targeted healing and transformation.

Yoga Instruction vs. Yoga Therapy: Key Differences

FeatureYoga InstructionYoga TherapyFormatGroup-basedOne-on-one or small groupFocusGeneral wellness, fitness, flowSpecific condition or life challengePersonalizationMinimalHighly personalizedTeacher’s training200–500 hrs (RYT)800+ hrs with therapeutic focusIdeal forHealthy individualsThose seeking support or recovery

Questions to Ask Yourself

To help guide your decision, ask yourself:

• Am I looking for general fitness or targeted healing?

• Do I have any medical conditions or limitations?

• Would I feel more comfortable in a group or private setting?

• Do I want a consistent routine or a personalized plan?

• Am I looking to transform something specific in my life?

If you're dealing with a specific physical or emotional challenge, yoga therapy may be the most effective and compassionate path. If you're healthy and want to stay that way through movement and mindfulness, a yoga class may be just what you need.

How to Choose the Right Practitioner

• For Yoga Instruction:

  • Look for a certified RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher)

  • Try different styles to find what resonates (e.g., vinyasa, restorative, kundalini)

  • Ask about class levels and modifications

• For Yoga Therapy:

  • Seek a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT)

  • Ask about their experience with your specific concern

  • Ensure they conduct an initial assessment or intake

In Summary

Yoga instruction and yoga therapy both serve meaningful purposes. One is not “better” than the other—they’re simply different tools for different needs. Think of yoga instruction as a broad-spectrum wellness practice, and yoga therapy as a laser-focused healing modality.

When in doubt, consider starting with a consultation. Many yoga therapists or experienced instructors can help guide you to the most appropriate path.

Your body, your mind, and your life are unique—your yoga practice should be too.

Holistic Nutrition: Nourishing Body, Mind, and Spirit

In today’s fast-paced world, food is often reduced to numbers—calories, macros, and nutrients. But what if the key to better health isn’t just what you eat, but how and why you eat it? That’s the power of holistic nutrition—a practice that looks beyond the plate to nourish your entire being.

What Is Holistic Nutrition?

Holistic nutrition is an approach to eating and wellness that considers the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. Instead of focusing solely on isolated nutrients or restrictive diets, holistic nutrition aims to create balance in all areas of life. It recognizes that food is more than fuel—it’s information, energy, and a connection to the natural world.

Practitioners of holistic nutrition believe:

• Every person has unique nutritional needs

• The mind and emotions directly impact digestion and overall health

• Food quality, preparation, and sourcing matter as much as quantity

• Wellness includes lifestyle, stress, sleep, and movement

Key Principles of Holistic Nutrition

1. Eat Whole, Natural Foods

Processed foods are stripped of their nutrients and often filled with additives. Holistic nutrition emphasizes:

• Organic produce

• Whole grains

• Grass-fed and pastured animal products (if included)

• Healthy fats from nuts, seeds, and oils

• Seasonal and local foods when possible

2. Listen to Your Body

There’s no one-size-fits-all diet. Holistic nutrition teaches you to tune into your body’s signals:

• Do certain foods give you energy—or drain you?

• Are you eating out of hunger or emotion?

• How does your digestion feel after different meals?

3. Support Digestive Health

A healthy gut is the cornerstone of holistic wellness. Tips include:

• Eating slowly and mindfully

• Drinking plenty of water (but not too much during meals)

• Incorporating fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir

• Reducing inflammatory triggers like sugar and seed oils

4. Honor the Mind-Body Connection

Stress, sleep, and emotional well-being all affect your nutritional needs. A holistic approach may include:

• Breathwork and mindfulness practices

• Time in nature

• Journaling or therapy to uncover emotional eating habits

5. Use Food as Medicine

Holistic nutrition draws on ancient wisdom and modern science to support healing through nutrition. This might include:

• Anti-inflammatory diets

• Herbal teas and adaptogens

• Elimination diets to identify intolerances

Why Choose Holistic Nutrition?

People turn to holistic nutrition for a wide range of reasons:

• Persistent fatigue or brain fog

• Digestive issues like bloating or IBS

• Hormonal imbalances

• Anxiety or mood fluctuations

• Autoimmune conditions

• A desire for a more connected, sustainable lifestyle

Often, it's the missing link when conventional diets or prescriptions fall short. Holistic nutrition invites you to look inward and explore what your body truly needs to thrive.

Holistic Nutrition in Practice

Here’s what a day guided by holistic nutrition might look like:

• Morning: Warm lemon water, gentle stretching, and a breakfast of steel-cut oats topped with seasonal fruit, flaxseeds, and almond butter.

• Midday: A colorful salad with mixed greens, roasted sweet potato, avocado, chickpeas, and olive oil dressing. A short walk after lunch.

• Afternoon: Herbal tea and a handful of walnuts while journaling or doing a mindfulness check-in.

• Evening: Grilled salmon or lentil stew with steamed vegetables and quinoa. A gratitude practice before bed.

Getting Started with Holistic Nutrition

You don’t need to overhaul your entire diet overnight. Start by:

• Swapping one processed food for a whole-food version

• Eating more meals without screens

• Noticing how different foods make you feel

• Consulting a holistic nutritionist for personalized guidance

Final Thoughts

Holistic nutrition isn’t a fad—it’s a philosophy. It encourages us to slow down, reconnect with our bodies, and approach eating as a form of self-care. When you nourish your body with intention and integrity, everything changes—from your energy to your mindset to your relationship with food.

Because in the end, true nourishment isn’t just about what’s on your plate—it’s about how it makes you feel.

Grounding in Vata Season with Tea: Sipping Your Way to Balance

As the crisp wind begins to stir the fallen leaves and the days grow cooler and drier, you may start to feel a little unrooted—restless sleep, scattered thoughts, dry skin, or even anxiety creeping in. Welcome to Vata season, according to Ayurveda.

Vata is one of the three doshas (energetic forces) in Ayurveda and is associated with air and ether—think movement, cold, light, and dryness. During late fall and early winter, Vata energy dominates, and if you’re not careful, it can leave you feeling unbalanced and ungrounded.

One of the simplest, most comforting tools for grounding Vata? A warm, nourishing cup of tea.

What Is Vata Season?

In Ayurvedic wisdom, Vata governs movement—breath, circulation, and the nervous system. When in balance, it brings creativity, joy, and flexibility. When out of balance, it manifests as:

• Anxiety or overthinking

• Insomnia

• Dry skin and hair

• Constipation or bloating

• Feeling cold or fatigued

To bring Vata back into harmony, we need the opposite qualities: warmth, stability, moisture, and routine.

Why Tea Helps Balance Vata

Tea is more than a beverage—it's a ritual. The warmth, the aroma, the act of slowing down to sip—it’s all inherently grounding. In Vata season, teas that are warm, slightly oily, sweet, and spicy can help soothe the nervous system, aid digestion, and restore balance.

Best Herbs and Spices for Vata Tea

Here are some Ayurvedic allies to brew during the dry, cool Vata months:

🌿 Ginger

A warming digestive aid that improves circulation and calms bloating.

🍯 Licorice Root

Sweet, soothing, and moistening—ideal for dry throats and balancing excess Vata.

🌼 Chamomile

Gentle and calming, this floral tea helps quiet an overactive mind and supports sleep.

🌰 Cinnamon & Clove

Spicy and warming, these support healthy circulation and metabolism.

🌿 Ashwagandha

An adaptogen known to calm the nervous system and restore energy over time.

🌿 Fennel & Cardamom

Excellent for bloating, gas, and gentle digestive support.

🌹 Rose

Balances the emotional heart, cools inflammation, and offers a subtle sweetness.

Simple Vata-Grounding Tea Recipe

Warming Vata Chai

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 3 cardamom pods (crushed)

• 2 whole cloves

• 1 tsp fennel seeds

• Optional: 1 tsp loose leaf black tea or rooibos

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup milk of choice (cow’s milk or oat milk works beautifully)

• Raw honey to taste (add after removing from heat)

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients (except honey) to a small pot and bring to a simmer.

2. Cover and simmer for 10–15 minutes.

3. Strain into a mug, add honey, and sip slowly in silence or with a grounding ritual.

Make It a Ritual

Vata thrives on consistency and self-care. Here’s how to turn your tea time into a grounding practice:

• Create a calming space: Light a candle, wrap yourself in a blanket, sit in stillness.

• Practice mindful sipping: Feel the warmth, smell the aroma, breathe deeply between sips.

• Journal or reflect: Let your tea time be a moment to check in with yourself.

Final Thoughts

In a world of constant motion, Vata season can leave you feeling frazzled and disconnected. But a warm, grounding cup of tea is a gentle reminder to slow down and return to center. With the right herbs and a little intention, tea becomes more than a drink—it becomes medicine.

So when the wind picks up and your thoughts start to race, brew a pot, wrap your hands around the mug, and let yourself land.