Learn more about OT & Yoga …

Yoga and occupational therapy

share a common goal of promoting holistic health and physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being. Both work to provide clients with tools to enhance their overall quality of life and maximize their potential for participation in daily activities.

A list of shared benefits that makes Yoga a therapeutic activity:

Mind-Body Connection

Yoga emphasizes the connection between the mind and body through breath awareness, mindful movement, and meditation. Occupational therapists often incorporate similar principles to help clients enhance body awareness, regulate emotions, and manage stress.

Physical Health

Yoga practices involve stretching, strengthening, and balancing exercises that can improve flexibility, endurance, and coordination. Here, we are addressing motor skills, posture, and physical conditioning, particularly in rehabilitation settings.

Stress Reduction

Yoga techniques, such as deep breathing and relaxation exercises, promote stress reduction and relaxation. Occupational therapists utilize these strategies to help individuals manage anxiety, alleviate tension, and improve overall mental well-being.

Sensory Integration

Yoga poses and movements provide sensory input through proprioceptive, vestibular, and tactile stimulation.

Functional Activities

Many yoga poses and movements mimic functional activities of daily living, such as reaching, bending, and balancing.

Structured Social Group Dynamics

OT sessions often incorporate structured activities that simulate real-life social situations. Yoga classes can provide a similar structure where participants engage in sequences of poses and breathing exercises together. These structured group dynamics offer opportunities for individuals to practice turn-taking, sharing, listening, and non-verbal communication skills in a supportive environment.