Bridging Clinical Practice and Yoga: My Path to Becoming a Yoga Therapist
If you had told me years ago that yoga would become one of the most transformative forces in my life, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, I might not have believed you. But today, as I reflect on my journey to becoming a yoga therapist, I can say with gratitude and confidence that this path is changing me.
I first came to yoga 30 years ago out of curiosity. After taking a class in college, I noticed how renewed, relaxed, and energized I felt afterward. As I began working as a mental health professional several years later, I saw firsthand how anxiety, depression, trauma, and chronic stress were impacting the lives of so many. I realized I was carrying some of that weight myself. What started as a personal practice soon became something much deeper. I began to recognize yoga as a powerful tool for healing and self-connection.
As I moved through the poses, I noticed subtle shifts not just in my flexibility or strength, but also in my breath, my awareness, and my overall ability to regulate stress. The tools I was learning on the mat began to complement the therapeutic work I was doing with clients in my practice. I started to wonder, “What if I could share these practices in a way that supported healing from the inside out?”
That question led me deeper into my studies. I completed my 200-hour and later my 300-hour yoga teacher training, and eventually began exploring certification in yoga therapy. While group yoga classes offer many benefits, instruction is not always individualized or aligned with someone’s emotional or psychological needs. I discovered that yoga therapy offers a more personalized approach, one that considers the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.
It is in this space where my work as a therapist and yoga practitioner truly comes together. Yoga therapy has become an extension of the mental health support I offer. It allows me to provide clients with additional strategies to ease anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and trauma symptoms, not only through talk and evidence-based practices, but also through movement, breath, and presence. It empowers people to tune into their bodies and inner wisdom, and to access healing in a way that feels safe and supportive. That sense of safety and self-connection is something I deeply value and promote in my counseling work.
Today, I am grateful to integrate these modalities into my practice. Whether I am guiding someone through gentle movement, mindfulness, or breathwork, my intention is always the same: to help them reconnect with themselves and feel more grounded, empowered, safe, and whole.
This journey is still unfolding, but I am thankful for the way yoga has enriched both my personal life and professional work. It continues to remind me that resilience and healing reside within each of us. With the right tools and support, we all have the ability to connect to the inner wisdom, calm, and clarity that already exists within.
Namaste.
