Yoga therapy is the individualized application of yoga practices to support a person’s specific health needs, functional goals, and capacity. Sessions may include therapeutic movement, breath practices, sensory awareness, guided rest, and nervous system regulation rather than a predetermined sequence of poses.

Yoga therapy is intended to complement, not replace, medical, rehabilitative, or mental health care.

A general yoga class teaches a shared practice to a group. Yoga therapy begins with the individual—their health history, symptoms, movement capacity, nervous system response, goals, and current level of function.

Practices are selected, adapted, and progressed according to how that person responds. The objective is not advanced posture performance; it is greater function, regulation, confidence, and capacity in daily life.

Sanctuary uses HIPAA-compliant systems and privacy practices for intake, documentation, and communication. Patient information is shared with referring providers only with written authorization, except when disclosure is required by law.

Not necessarily. Yoga varies widely in intensity, pace, teaching method, class size, purpose, and instructor training. A class designed for fitness, heat, flexibility, or physical challenge may not be appropriate for someone living with pain, recovering from injury, experiencing anxiety, or managing a complex health history.

Research evaluates particular yoga practices with defined populations and methods, it does not establish that every type of yoga is equally appropriate for every person. People with injuries or health conditions may require qualified instruction and individualized modifications.

Yes. Research suggests that appropriately selected yoga practices may support certain pain conditions, stress-related concerns, anxiety symptoms, balance, sleep, and aspects of physical function. Results vary according to the population studied, the practices used, frequency, instruction, and the individual’s health needs.

Yoga therapy draws from this research while adapting the practice to the person rather than assuming that one class or method is suitable for everyone.

Yoga therapy may be appropriate for people experiencing:

• Persistent pain or reduced physical function

• Injury recovery or decreased confidence with movement

• Chronic stress, anxiety, or nervous system overwhelm

• Sleep disruption or difficulty downshifting

• Balance, strength, mobility, or postural concerns

• Stress-related physical symptoms

• Difficulty translating clinical recommendations into regular practice

• A need for individualized, body-based support alongside existing care

Suitability is determined individually, particularly when someone has an active injury, significant medical condition, or current movement restrictions.

Yoga therapy may be considered when movement is medically appropriate. Sessions can address strength, mobility, balance, breathing patterns, pacing, movement confidence, and nervous system responses that may influence how a person experiences and responds to discomfort.

Yoga therapy does not replace medical evaluation or skilled physical therapy when those services are indicated. People with health conditions may need particular practices modified or avoided.

Yes. Yoga therapy can provide structured, body-based support alongside psychotherapy and other mental health care. Practices may focus on breath awareness, physical sensation, grounding, movement, rest, and the ability to recognize and respond to changes in the nervous system.

Yoga therapy does not provide psychotherapy, diagnose mental health conditions, or replace treatment with a licensed mental health professional.

Individual yoga therapy sessions may be scheduled weekly, biweekly, monthly, or at another frequency based on the person’s needs and goals.

The Therapeutic Membership includes one private yoga therapy or Ayurvedic session each month, along with unlimited small-group classes. It was created to give clients a consistent place to reinforce the movement, breathing, pacing, and regulation practices introduced during individual sessions.

Yes. No previous yoga experience or particular level of flexibility is required. The practice begins with what the person can comfortably and safely do.

Yoga therapy may include simple seated, standing, or lying-down movements, breathing practices, relaxation, or other accessible approaches. It does not require participation in advanced postures.

Private sessions provide individualized assessment, direction, and adaptation. Small-group classes provide repetition, consistency, and supported practice between sessions.

Sharon teaches the majority of Sanctuary’s classes, and enrollment is intentionally limited. Although a group class is not one-to-one care, the small setting allows for individual options, modifications, and pacing support when appropriate.

No. Patients and clients may contact Sanctuary directly, schedule an informational call, or register for an initial yoga therapy consultation without a formal referral.

A provider referral can be helpful when there are specific goals, precautions, or relevant clinical considerations to communicate.