Reminder!

At The YogiOT Approach, we prioritize the well-being and individual needs of our participants. Our therapeutic yoga interventions are only administered after careful consideration and assessment, ensuring they are suitable for each participant. We rely on evidence-based practices to guide our therapy, ensuring the highest standards of care and effectiveness.

Furthermore, we believe in the importance of participant autonomy and choice. Therefore, our therapeutic yoga interventions are only utilised if the participant expresses interest and it aligns with their personal goals and preferences. We strive to create a collaborative and empowering environment where participants feel in control of their therapeutic journey.

What is Yoga & Occupational Therapy?

Yoga is an ancient practice from North India that dates back 5,000 years. Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that consists of various styles of physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayamas), and meditation (dyana). Over the years, yoga has become a popular practice in the western world, and has become a platform for physical, and mental well-being.

Whereas, Occupational Therapy (OT) was founded in 1895 by William Rush Duntion Jr - A Psychiatrist that believed "Sick minds, sick bodies, and sick souls may be healed through occupation" (AOTA, 2017). Occupation is any activity that occupies your time, and is meaningful and purposeful, such as: sleep; work; education; play; leisure; social participation; activities of daily living (ADL's), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL's).

OT's are science based professionals who treat people of all ages, whom live with physical, mental, developmental, and/or emotional ailments that impact their ability to perform daily tasks/ occupations. OT's are holistic professionals that treat a person as a whole, not just their injury, ailment, or disability, therefore they use meaningful occupations as part of the therapeutic intervention.

How do they work together?

Yoga and occupational therapy (OT) share common goals in promoting overall well-being, enhancing physical and mental health, and improving functional abilities. When combined, they can offer a powerful and holistic approach to addressing a variety of physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Here are some of the benefits of integrating yoga and occupational therapy:

Enhanced Physical Function:

Yoga: Promotes flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination through a variety of poses and movements.

Occupational Therapy: Targets specific physical challenges, such as improving fine and gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and overall functional mobility.

Stress Reduction and Relaxation:

Yoga: Emphasizes deep breathing, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques, promoting stress reduction and a sense of calm.

Occupational Therapy: Addresses stress and anxiety as barriers to daily functioning, incorporating relaxation techniques and coping strategies.

Improved Mental Health:

Yoga: Incorporates mindfulness and meditation, which can positively impact mental health by reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Occupational Therapy: Focuses on mental health through activities that promote self-expression, coping skills, and emotional regulation.

Enhanced Focus and Attention:

Yoga: Cultivates mindfulness and concentration through breathwork and focused attention on movements.

Occupational Therapy: Develops strategies to improve attention, concentration, and executive functioning for better engagement in daily activities.

Balance and Coordination:

Yoga: Poses that challenge balance and coordination contribute to improved proprioception and body awareness.

Occupational Therapy: Targets specific activities to enhance balance and coordination, especially in individuals with neurological or musculoskeletal conditions.

Sensory Integration:

Yoga: Engages various sensory experiences, such as tactile sensations and body awareness, promoting sensory integration.

Occupational Therapy: Utilizes sensory integration techniques to address challenges related to processing sensory information.

Promotion of Independence:

Yoga: Encourages self-directed practice, empowering individuals to take an active role in their well-being.

Occupational Therapy: Focuses on improving independence in daily activities by adapting environments and teaching compensatory strategies.

Improved Sleep Patterns:

Yoga: Incorporates relaxation techniques that can contribute to improved sleep quality.

Occupational Therapy: Addresses factors affecting sleep patterns and develops routines to support better sleep hygiene.

Enhanced Self-Esteem and Confidence:

Yoga: Cultivates a sense of self-awareness and acceptance, contributing to improved self-esteem.

Occupational Therapy: Supports individuals in achieving success in daily activities, fostering a sense of accomplishment and confidence.

Social Engagement:

Yoga: Group yoga classes provide opportunities for social interaction and community support.

Occupational Therapy: Incorporates social skills training and group activities to enhance social engagement and communication.

Pain Management:

Yoga: Gentle movements and stretches can contribute to pain relief and improved flexibility.

Occupational Therapy: Addresses pain management strategies and assists in adapting activities to minimise discomfort.

The integration of yoga and occupational therapy should be tailored to individual needs, considering specific goals, preferences, and any underlying health conditions. Collaboration between yoga instructors and occupational therapists can create a well-rounded and personalised approach to support individuals in achieving their therapeutic goals. This is why The YogiOT Approach combines both under one roof.

Key:

Activities of Daily Living: These are the basic self-care tasks that we initially learn as children, such as: walking, transfering, grooming, dressing, and toileting.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: These are the self-care tasks that we usually learn as young teenagers, and young adults. They require more complex thinking skills, including organizational skills. Some of these include: money management, managing transportation, domestic tasks, and meal preparation.