While any type of yoga can bring health benefits, therapeutic yoga involves employing a variety of yoga practices to try to improve a health condition or ease a natural process, such as pregnancy or menopause. A well-rounded class will use all of the following practices:

• Breathing Exercises (Pranayama): Involves a series of breathing exercises ranging from energizing to balancing breaths.

• Physical Postures (Asana): Focuses on yoga poses that address problem areas. For example, the “Legs Up the Wall” pose is used to treat things like anxiety and insomnia. In this pose, the person lays on his or her back with legs positioned up against the wall.

• Meditation: Relaxation and mindfulness are the focus of meditation when it is combined with yoga poses.

• Guided Imagery: Is used to calm the body and mind by providing a guided visualization intended to bring inner peace.

Katie White RMT, CYT, HTP, Courtenay Massage Therapy, CourtenayMassageTherapy.com