While the two modalities overlap, a somatic coaching session is more interactive, with the client engaging in an active exploration of their inner states. By verbalizing an experience and creatively responding to any content arising to consciousness, the client actively participates and shapes the structure of the session, interacting with the guide as opposed to passively receiving the session.

By contrast, during a Yoga Therapy session the client has a more receptive role, engaging, with the guidance of the therapist, in practices that range from traditional yoga to modern somatics.

In both modalities, the client relies on external guidance and skill without ever surrendering agency and choice.

During a somatic coaching session, the client engages in an interactive exploration of their inner and outer experience as a felt-sense, to foster embodiment and mind-body integration. Tools used are somatic movement, breath-centric somatic practices, body sensing, orienting, vagal toning, and polyvagal-informed nervous system regulation techniques. Throughout the session, the client is gently encouraged to verbalize or otherwise express anything that arises to consciousness. This type of somatic exploration can often lead to deep personal insight and growth.During a somatic coaching session, the client engages in an interactive exploration of their inner and outer experience as a felt-sense, to foster embodiment and mind-body integration. Tools used are somatic movement, breath-centric somatic practices, body sensing, orienting, vagal toning, and polyvagal-informed nervous system regulation techniques. Throughout the session, the client is gently encouraged to verbalize or otherwise express anything that arises to consciousness. This type of somatic exploration can often lead to deep personal insight and growth.

A Yoga Therapy session consists of an initial assessment, followed by appropriate practices to bring the client to a state of physiological and energetic balance. A guided relaxation is often followed by gentle, somatic movement sequence for connective tissue release. Typical interventions include highly prescriptive breath work, therapeutic, restorative flows, sound, and embodiment practices, all skillfully applied based on individual needs and constitution.

No yoga experience is required: in fact, many of the practices we use involve little or no movement. You can enjoy the benefits of yoga therapy and any somatic therapeutic practice even if you have very limited physical abilities.

A: No! Y.T. is an opportunity to advance your practice by taking the focus off the more surface approach of form and effort, and delving deeper into the nuances of the inner and outer experience, allowing it to grow in depth and authenticity, perfecting it through detailed, extremely subtle explorations of familiar asana, in a realm where “less is more” and “slower is better”.

Although both are ideal as a complementary modalities, neither is intended an alternative to mainstream treatment. Although Yoga Therapy is an effective integrative modality to support with some chronic and acute health conditions, just as any other alternative healing method, it is not intended as a substitute for traditional medical care. Please continue with your prescribed treatment as you explore yoga therapy as a safe, beneficial modality with the potential to promote health and support you on your ongoing healing path.

Noticeable benefits can be experienced even after a single session, yet multiple sessions are usually more effective for obtaining lasting results. Generally speaking, a minimum of 5 to 10 sessions is suggested.

Please consider that a goal-oriented approach can often hinder rather than accelerate progress, and the healing journey is not always a straight line.

It is also important to note that ultimately, improvements are greatly dependent on the client’s willingness to put the learnings to use in everyday life and consistently practice the optional Home Plan.

No. Yoga Therapy looks at the person as a whole, addressing physical and emotional symptoms, lifestyle, and spirituality, while respecting individual belief systems and never imposing a particular philosophical or spiritual viewpoint.