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Yoga Therapy & Yoga Classes

Yoga Therapy & Yoga Classes:
Nurturing the Mind, Body, and Spirit

Yoga has long been celebrated for its ability to enhance physical health, mental well-being, and emotional balance. But did you know that there are distinct ways in which yoga can help? Yoga therapy and yoga classes are both beneficial, yet they serve different purposes and offer unique advantages. Understanding the difference between the two can help you make an informed decision about which approach is right for you, whether you’re seeking personal growth, professional development, or a more holistic healing journey.

Yoga Therapy: Healing Through a Personalized Approach

What is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga therapy is a personalized approach to healing that uses the principles and practices of yoga to support individuals in overcoming physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Unlike traditional yoga classes, yoga therapy is specifically designed to address your unique needs. A trained yoga therapist works with you to create a customized program, which may include postures (asanas), breathwork (pranayama), meditation, and relaxation techniques—all tailored to your condition, recovery, or life situation.

Yoga therapy can be especially beneficial for those dealing with chronic pain, injury recovery, stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health concerns. It offers a safe, gentle, and holistic way to restore balance, enhance self-awareness, and promote healing on all levels.

What You Can Expect from Yoga Therapy:

Yoga therapy can be especially beneficial for those dealing with chronic pain, injury recovery, stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health concerns. It offers a safe, gentle, and holistic way to restore balance, enhance self-awareness, and promote healing on all levels.

  • Personalized Assessment: A yoga therapist will assess your physical, mental, and emotional needs to design a program that addresses your specific challenges.
  • Mind-Body Connection: Yoga therapy focuses on reconnecting the mind and body, helping to release tension, trauma, and emotional blockages.
  • ‌Holistic Healing: By integrating the body, breath, and mind, yoga therapy provides a comprehensive healing experience that targets physical pain, emotional distress, and mental fog.
  • ‌Trauma-Informed Approach: For those with a history of trauma, yoga therapy uses gentle techniques to cultivate safety, empowerment, and emotional resilience.

Yoga Classes: Communityand Wellness for All Levels

What are Yoga Classes?

 Yoga classes offer group-based instruction that focuses on physical postures, breathwork, and meditation. The goal of yoga classes is to increase flexibility, strength, balance, and overall well-being, while promoting a sense of relaxation and stress relief. Unlike yoga therapy, which is individualized, yoga classes are typically designed for all levels of experience and do not offer specific treatment for physical or mental health concerns.

Yoga classes are ideal for anyone looking to enhance their fitness, improve their flexibility, or find a peaceful break from the stresses of daily life. While they are beneficial for general well-being, they may not be tailored to specific health issues or challenges, like yoga therapy is.

What You Can Expect from Yoga Classes:

What is Yoga Therapy?

  • Variety of Styles: Whether it’s Vinyasa, Hatha, Power, or Yin yoga, yoga classes offer different styles to cater to various preferences and goals.
  • Group Support: Yoga classes provide a sense of community, where practitioners can share experiences, motivate one another, and grow together.
  • ‌Physical Fitness: Classes typically focus on improving strength, flexibility, posture, and endurance.
  • ‌Stress Relief: The breathing exercises and relaxation techniques used in yoga classes can promote deep relaxation and help you manage stress.

Yoga Therapy vs. Yoga Classes: What’s the Difference?

Personalized Approach (Yoga Therapy) vs. Group-Based Practice (Yoga Classes)

The primary difference between yoga therapy and yoga classes lies in the level of personalization. Yoga therapy is a therapeutic, one-on-one experience, tailored specifically to address an individual’s physical, emotional, and mental needs. It’s often used as a complementary treatment for specific health issues such as chronic pain, trauma, anxiety, depression, or stress. The therapist works closely with the individual to address their unique challenges and develop a personalized healing plan.

On the other hand, yoga classes are group-based and designed to serve a broader audience. While they can benefit everyone, they are not tailored to address specific physical or emotional issues. Classes typically focus on general health and wellness, with an emphasis on fitness, mindfulness, and relaxation.

Yoga Therapy and Trauma Therapy: Healing Through Movement and Breath

Yoga therapy is particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with trauma. Trauma often leaves an imprint on the body, and many people who have experienced trauma struggle to reconnect with their physical selves. Yoga therapy offers a safe and gentle way to explore and heal these experiences.

Safe Space for Healing

Trauma survivors often feel disconnected from their bodies, and yoga therapy can create a sense of safety, helping them reclaim ownership of their physical selves. By practicing mindfulness and body awareness, individuals learn to respond to their feelings rather than react automatically.

Breath as a Tool for Grounding

Trauma therapy often involves grounding techniques to help individuals feel present in their bodies. Breathwork in yoga therapy serves as a powerful grounding tool, allowing individuals to remain centered when distressing memories or emotions arise.

Healing the Subtle Body: Trauma can affect not just the mind and emotions but also the body on a subtle level. Certain yoga practices, such as gentle stretches or restorative poses, help release stored tension and trauma from the body.

The Benefits of Yoga Therapy and Yoga Classes: Personal and Professional Growth

Personal Benefits

Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Both yoga therapy and yoga classes help reduce the effects of stress and anxiety by encouraging relaxation, deep breathing, and mindfulness.
Improved Mental Health: Yoga’s holistic approach can enhance mood, foster self-compassion, and offer emotional support for those dealing with mental health conditions like depression or PTSD.
Increased Physical Wellness: oga promotes flexibility, strength, and mobility, helping individuals feel better in their bodies and experience improved overall health.
Emotional Resilience: Whether through therapy or a group class, yoga provides tools to manage difficult emotions, making it easier to navigate life’s challenges with grace.

Yoga Therapy and Trauma Therapy: Healing Through Movement and Breath

Yoga therapy is particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with trauma. Trauma often leaves an imprint on the body, and many people who have experienced trauma struggle to reconnect with their physical selves. Yoga therapy offers a safe and gentle way to explore and heal these experiences.

Safe Space for Healing

Trauma survivors often feel disconnected from their bodies, and yoga therapy can create a sense of safety, helping them reclaim ownership of their physical selves. By practicing mindfulness and body awareness, individuals learn to respond to their feelings rather than react automatically.

Breath as a Tool for Grounding

Trauma therapy often involves grounding techniques to help individuals feel present in their bodies. Breathwork in yoga therapy serves as a powerful grounding tool, allowing individuals to remain centered when distressing memories or emotions arise.

Healing the Subtle Body: Trauma can affect not just the mind and emotions but also the body on a subtle level. Certain yoga practices, such as gentle stretches or restorative poses, help release stored tension and trauma from the body.

The Benefits of Yoga Therapy and Yoga Classes: Personal and Professional Growth

Personal Benefits

Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Both yoga therapy and yoga classes help reduce the effects of stress and anxiety by encouraging relaxation, deep breathing, and mindfulness.
Improved Mental Health: Yoga’s holistic approach can enhance mood, foster self-compassion, and offer emotional support for those dealing with mental health conditions like depression or PTSD.
Increased Physical Wellness: oga promotes flexibility, strength, and mobility, helping individuals feel better in their bodies and experience improved overall health.
Emotional Resilience: Whether through therapy or a group class, yoga provides tools to manage difficult emotions, making it easier to navigate life’s challenges with grace.

Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?

Explore how yoga therapy and yoga classes can transform your life. Whether you’re seeking personalized care or a group experience, we offer tailored sessions and classes to help you cultivate balance, peace, and healing on your own terms.

Professional Benefits

  • Enhanced Focus and Productivity: Regular yoga practice, whether through therapy or classes, has been shown to increase focus, mental clarity, and overall productivity in both personal and professional settings.
  • Improved Communication Skills: Yoga therapy and classes help individuals become more mindful of their thoughts and emotions, leading to improved communication and interpersonal relationships at work.
  • Stress Management: Professionals who integrate yoga into their routine report greater ability to handle work-related stress and maintain work-life balance.
  • Leadership and Emotional Intelligence: Yoga therapy can help cultivate emotional intelligence and resilience, both of which are vital for effective leadership in any professional environment.

In Conclusion

Yoga therapy and yoga classes both offer profound benefits for personal and professional growth, but they do so in different ways. Yoga therapy is an individualized, therapeutic practice designed to address specific mental, emotional, and physical challenges. It is ideal for those seeking deeper healing or recovery. Yoga classes, on the other hand, provide a community-based, general wellness experience that fosters mindfulness, physical fitness, and stress relief.

When combined with psychotherapy or trauma therapy, both yoga therapy and yoga classes enhance emotional healing, regulate the nervous system, and promote holistic well-being. Whether you’re looking to heal from trauma, improve mental health, or increase physical wellness, integrating yoga into your routine can offer a balanced, empowering approach to healing and personal growth.

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Healing starts in the nervous system. If you’re ready to calm your body, quiet your mind, and deepen your therapeutic work, Vagus Nerve Stimulation could be a meaningful part of your path.

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Krystal Roldan

Krystal Roldan is a dedicated neurofeedback technician with a passion for mental health and wellness. Currently pursuing a degree in Psychology with a focus on Mental Health, she is committed to helping individuals improve their cognitive and emotional well-being through innovative neurofeedback techniques. Krystal has developed a strong understanding of how neurofeedback can support mental health treatment and enhance overall quality of life. She believes in the power of personalized care and is driven by a desire to empower clients on their journey to better mental health.

Jordan Marsh

Jordan Marsh is a student at Hunter College, CUNY, and is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in behavioral neuroscience. She is passionate about helping individuals.has been trained and works as a qEEG technician at A Mindful Talk, which has deepened her understanding of innovative, efficient approaches beyond traditional psychotherapy. She has witnessed remarkable physical, mental, and emotional transformations in her clients, observing firsthand the positive impact of her work—whether through personal observation or clients sharing their progress.

Debbie Moore

Sharyn Hahn

Yoga Therapist| Holistic Wellness Consultant
Sharyn Hahn, C-IAYT, RYT-500, received her 800-hour IYT certification through the Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy. She has been teaching yoga and related healing practices since 2015 to students of all ages and levels. Additionally, in her role as a Middle School teacher, Mindfulness and SEL have been a part of her curriculum since 2018. Her personal journey as a cancer survivor deepened her appreciation for following a healthy lifestyle. This awareness led her to pursue an accreditation in fitness as an ACE Personal Trainer, as well as several Yoga certifications. Sharyn shares her passion for guiding others on their own path to healing with an invitation to explore and balance the chakras, practice pranayama, tap into mindfulness, and delve into a physical practice that embraces asana to enhance wellness objectives. This holistic approach reduces stress, strengthens the immune system, and balances the five koshas, with an emphasis on the physical, energetic, and emotional connections.

Carmella Stone

Carmella Stone Klein is an art therapist and Iyengar instructor that educates and heals through mindfulness practices and therapeutic techniques. She helps others overcome health issues and emotional struggles in order to cultivate stability and contentment in their lives. She began her personal journey to help others as an Art Therapist decades ago, after earning a BA in Creative Arts in Human Services from Russell Sage College, and her MA in Art Therapy from New York University, Carmella worked with children at the Henry Ittleson Center in the Bronx, a school for emotionally disturbed children. She then spent six years helping people with HIV and AIDS at the Home for Aged Blind to express themselves through creativity and self exploration. After a decade of education in yoga practice, in 2016 Carmella traveled to Pune, India to study at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Institute. She now brings her years of expertise to help others to overcome physical and emotional struggles and find well-being at A Mindful talk in Lynbrook, NY. She hopes to help lead clients on a path to find health, peace, emotional and spiritual growth, and freedom from pain.

Pauline Louis

Pauline Louis is a dedicated mental health counselor with a deep passion for supporting individuals on their journey toward healing, self-discovery, and personal growth. With a client-centered approach, she is committed to creating a safe, compassionate, and empowering therapeutic space where clients can explore challenges, build resilience, and achieve meaningful change. Pauline integrates a variety of evidence-based modalities to meet the unique needs of each client, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Approaches. Her clinical focus includes helping individuals manage anxiety, overcome relationship difficulties, navigate life transitions, and cultivate greater emotional clarity and well-being. Known for her warm, collaborative, and goal-oriented style, Pauline partners with clients to identify their inner strengths and develop practical strategies for long-term success. She believes in the transformative power of therapy and is honored to support individuals as they move toward a more fulfilling and balanced life.

Milena Uribe

Milena Uribe is a seasoned and compassionate social worker with over two decades of dedicated service within the New York City Department of Education. Throughout her career, she has positively impacted the emotional and social well-being of students, families, and school communities by offering trauma-informed, culturally responsive care rooted in empathy and equity. Milena’s practice extends beyond traditional social work by integrating wellness modalities such as yoga, mindfulness, and restorative practices. Her holistic approach fosters resilience, healing, and empowerment—meeting individuals where they are and helping them reconnect with their inner strength and wisdom. A passionate advocate for mental health and community well-being, Milena also facilitates healing circles, mindfulness-based programs, and interactive workshops designed to nurture emotional, mental, and spiritual growth. Her work is grounded in compassion, cultural humility, and a profound belief in the transformative power of collective healing. Milena continues to inspire and uplift communities through her unwavering commitment to wellness, education, and social justice.

Maggie Laventure

Maggie Laventure was born in Haiti and immigrated to the United States, where she began her high school education. Demonstrating an early passion for human development and social impact, she earned an Associate’s degree in Human Services and Mental Health from LaGuardia Community College. She continued her academic journey at Queens College, where she received a dual Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology. Driven by a deep commitment to serving others, Maggie pursued and obtained a Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University. Her professional career spans more than two decades in the field of social services, including extensive experience with the Human Services Administration. Throughout her tenure, she has cultivated a strong reputation for excellence in client services and has consistently demonstrated leadership, empathy, and integrity in her work. Maggie is the founder of Bright Future for Haiti, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting orphans and vulnerable children in Haiti. The organization provides critical services such as nutrition, healthcare, food security, sanitation and hygiene, emergency response, financial assistance, and education. Under her leadership, Bright Future for Haiti empowers children to thrive and become healthy, responsible, and contributing members of Haitian society. A devoted wife and proud mother of two daughters, Maggie embodies dedication, passion, and grace in all aspects of her life and work. Her unwavering commitment to uplifting communities both in the U.S. and Haiti continues to inspire all who work alongside her.

Lisa Livermore

Finding the right therapist can feel like a daunting and vulnerable task but know you have taken the first courageous step on a journey towards healing and growth. Life throws curveballs at us, and at times, it can feel overwhelming to navigate these challenges alone. As a counselor, my priority is to provide a safe, non-judgmental and compassionate space for you to explore your emotions, thoughts and experiences. I believe in the power of empathy and validation and am here to offer you the support you seek. Together we can embark on a collaborative journey towards discovering your inner strengths, developing healthier coping strategies and embracing positive change in your life. I work with teens, adults and elders (65+) with specialized experience working with college and graduate students. Therapeutic interventions I have experience with: CBT DBT Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Family Systems Issues I have experience with or want to work with: Women’s issues Body image issues Aging Relationship issues Codependency Addiction/Harm reduction Life transitions LGBTQ…issues with sexual orientation, gender identity Depression Anxiety Stress Procrastination, low motivation, executive functioning Grief Trauma

Lee Anne McCarthy

I received my Master of Social Work degree from Adelphi University, and have experience applying theories of social work to assist clients in a variety of topics and settings. As a practitioner, my goal is to use strength-based strategies to help you achieve wanted results through interpersonal change. I will work with you to identify where you would like to begin your journey, focus on addressing your challenges, and together we will reach your destinations.

Dominique Whiteman

As a License Mental Health Professional, my goal is to support clients by utilizing skills and resources to improve their wellbeing. I love to empower my clients and provide a safe space to be vulnerable. I have experience working with a variety of individuals from different backgrounds to help manage their mental health struggles and needs. I specialize in the treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma and psychotic disorders but always aim to expand my knowledge and competence. It is important to build a positive therapeutic alliance to help achieve your personal and life goals.

Dinorka Ogando.

With over 20 years of experience supporting children, teens, and families, Dinorka Ogando brings a unique, heart-centered approach to mental health and emotional healing. Dinorka uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)—evidence-based modalities that help individuals manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in healthy, constructive ways. Part of her therapeutic work is grounded in Restorative Justice, Mediation, Conflict Resolution and Meditation, creating a holistic approach that treats the whole person—not just the symptoms. She works closely with teens navigating identity, relationships, and independence, helping them discover their inner voice and resilience. Dinorka also supports families struggling to communicate during emotionally difficult times, including the unique challenges of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Every session with Dinorka is built on empathy, active listening, and the belief that healing begins when we feel truly heard.