Exploring Yoga Therapy Initiative

2024 Trends

TREND 1:
Recognition of Yoga Therapy as Part of the Modern Healthcare Playbook

As evidence-based research continues to validate its benefits, yoga therapy is gaining recognition as a valuable therapeutic discipline focused on health creation and wellbeing. This growing acceptance is fueling its integration into wellness management and self-care programs, including mainstream healthcare systems and teams.

There are signs of this everywhere, from the medical world, where integrative programs incorporate yoga and yoga therapy, to high-profile media that tout its benefits in mesmerizing feature stories, to the investment space, where startups and tech platforms are focusing on yoga and yoga therapy as part of the content and tools they offer.

More people are seeking whole-health approaches that go beyond the treatment of isolated symptoms. This indicates a shift in prioritization—at both the individual and the organizational levels—towards proactive health and wellbeing efforts. Yoga therapy’s patient-centered, integrative and preventive holistic approach, built on a scientific foundation of ancient practices and informed by contemporary medical science, is innately adapted to deal with the difficulties, demands and stresses of daily life—making it a perfect vehicle to meet the needs of a modern population.

Sources:
bijab.com
scientificamerican.com
mckinsey.com
reverehealth.com
cbinsights.com
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

TREND 2:
Adoption of Yoga Therapy Techniques to Improve Markers of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Over the past six years, mental health has been the subject of significant clinical research. The studies on yoga therapy interventions depict their effectiveness on varied parameters of mental health, showing their impact on depressive disorder symptoms, anxiety, stress, schizophrenia, attention deficit, hyper-activity disorders and more. Using a combination of mind-body and yoga-based strategies, people have been shown to adapt better and self-manage life’s mental, physical and psycho-emotional challenges.

Clinical trials on stress reduction demonstrate how yoga and yoga therapy impact a diverse range of health responses—from energy, brain and immune strength, to fatigue, nervousness, lack of enthusiasm, mood changes, irritability and depression. This occurs by affecting nervous system regulation and increasing heart rate variability (HRV) through the various technologies of yoga—most especially through asana/posture, meditation/mindfulness and the specific practices of pranayama or conscious breathing.

One group of researchers from UCLA’s Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior tested the comparative effectiveness of yoga therapy and a ‘gold standard’ intervention, memory enhancement training (MET). The results showed yoga therapy to be highly effective, and even or more effective for increasing memory and attention as MET.

Results from another study on the effectiveness of yoga therapy as a complementary treatment for major psychiatric disorders demonstrated it as an effective adjunct treatment for several psychiatric disorders (i.e., depression, anxiety, PTSD and schizophrenia). Yoga-based practices have also been shown to fight depression, give meaningful relief from anxiety and symptoms left untreated through common treatments such as psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.

Although further controlled studies are needed, recent research has provided qualitative findings on how yoga/yoga therapy is a significant and relatively cost-effective intervention for anxiety reduction, recovery from and treatment of addiction, stress and chronic pain—all notably related to the mental health, resilience and wellbeing of individuals and patients.

Sources:
bijab.com
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3193654/#ref5
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4959333/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3219516/
https://www.yogaalliance.org/Our_Standards/Elevated_RYS_200_Standards

TREND 3:
Growing Use of Yoga and Yoga Therapy for Sports and Athletics: Performance and Recovery

There is a growing trend of individual and collegiate athletes, global superstars, weekend warriors and youth all implementing the tools of yoga and yoga therapy to improve performance and recovery. Yoga therapy has become increasingly popular among sports professionals as a complementary training method to enhance performance and prevent injuries. Noteworthy examples include tennis champion Naomi Osaka who is the chief community health advocate for Modern Health, a mental health platform; Tom Brady, a yoga and meditation enthusiast; the New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks and other Major League Baseball teams who are all proponents of a dedicated practice.

A 5,000-year-old science, yoga focuses on a range of mental, physical and spiritual practices that include a philosophical mindset; a wide range of meditation, breathing and chanting techniques, foundational lifestyle skills; and psycho-emotional teachings. This helps explain why it means many things to athletes and why they have embraced it as a valued discipline.

A curated yoga therapy practice can improve athletic accuracy as well as prevent injuries and hasten recovery. The combination of yoga and meditation can also help athletes develop mental resilience, focus and mindfulness, contributing to better performance on and off the field. Integrating yoga into sports medicine and rehabilitation programs enhances the outcome of pain management, while improving strength, balance and psychological well-being among athletes.

NYC-based Yoga Therapist Sakina Williams, C-IAYT, works with individual athletes in a variety of sports and competitive cycling events focusing on pre- and post-training sessions as well as competition warm-ups and cool downs for reducing injuries, improving mindset and training the breath. Williams references the mind-body connection that is part of the athlete’s lexicon when they talk about, “Getting their head in the game,” and uses yoga therapy assessments to customize cross-training practices for an athlete’s chosen sport.

One of the ways yoga works for athletes is by upregulating the functions of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and down-regulating the activities of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), the main stress response system. This is conducive to healing, recovery, regeneration, reduction in stress, relaxation of the mind, better cognitive functions, promotion of mental health and reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress. With this combination of benefits, research and celebrity endorsements of yoga and yoga therapy will be trending across sports and among athletes of all ages.

Sources:
nytimes.com
cnn.com
mobilitymaker.com
yogajournal.com/lifestyle/nfl-yoga-teacher/
yogajournal.com/lifestyle/coco-gauff-yoga/
layoga.com
bkbuddha.com/

On the integration of yoga within exercise and sports science as a preventative and management strategy for musculoskeletal injuries/disorders and mental disorders:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37301554/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32669766/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34551075/
menshealth.com

TREND 4:
Popularization of Yogic Breathing/Pranayama as an Integrative Healthcare Practice

In the realm of integrative healthcare, the ancient art of yogic breathing, known as Pranayama, is gaining significant recognition as a powerful tool for impacting health. This trend is fueled by a growing understanding of how conscious breathing practices can positively influence various aspects of our lives, from enhancing mental clarity to managing stress and promoting overall wellbeing.

Yogic breathing is not only an ancient science but has also been a proven treatment to improve and diminish the physical and mental ailments of our modern culture. It can help “lower blood pressure, heart rate and tension; improve focus, digestion and lung health; and enhance immunity and overall health.”

Recognition of the health benefits of breathing is trending this year with global discussions related to healthcare and peak performance. While 2020 ushered in new cultural conversations around the breath with the publication of James Nestor’s best-selling book Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, and the global challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2024 has anchored its popularity into the mainstream.

Renowned figures like Wim Hof have popularized paced breathing techniques rooted in yoga, with early studies suggesting promising results in reducing inflammation and enhancing mood regulation. Similarly, thought leaders such as podcaster Andrew Huberman are amplifying awareness through dedicated episodes and research papers highlighting the mood-lifting benefits of breath practices.

The demand for stand-alone certification courses is rising, providing individuals with the necessary skills to teach breathing practices effectively. Esteemed spas like Six Senses Spa Ibiza and Six Senses Spa Kaplankaya offer advanced holotropic breathing sessions, while The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach hosts classes in meditation and breathwork for its guests.

With the ancient science of Pranayama gaining traction among contemporary practitioners, a surge in instructional offerings, research initiatives and practical applications of breathing across diverse settings is anticipated. The accessibility of breathing, which can be practiced anywhere and at any time, ensures its continued integration into various wellness contexts.

Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36630953/
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture-council/articles/increased-productivity-health-1224016/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36288364/
nature.com
sixsenses.com
hubermanlab.com
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36630953/

TREND 5:
The Rise of Yoga in Africa

In recent years, Africa has witnessed a remarkable surge in the popularity of yoga, a practice celebrated worldwide for its holistic approach to physical and mental wellbeing. Rooted in Africa’s rich cultural diversity, yoga classes and studios have become integral hubs for connection, appealing to individuals seeking balance physically and mentally and also looking for a sense of community.

Teacher training organizations, exemplified by Africa Yoga Project in Kenya, Madoka Teacher Training in Nigeria and Bliss Yoga Accra, have significantly contributed to this growth, training over 400 teachers in 18 countries. The Indian High Commission’s role in making yoga accessible in Africa, coupled with the influence of International Yoga Day Celebrations, has been instrumental in fostering integration.

Previously associated mainly with expatriate communities, yoga is now embraced by local Africans, leading to a rise in African-descendant yoga teachers. This shift is accompanied by a noteworthy trend – some individuals are turning to yoga specifically on the advice of their doctors.

To assess yoga’s hold on the African market, Yoga Experiences Africa is conducting a study. Preliminary findings indicate that students, particularly those advised by their doctors, pay an average of $10-15 for group classes and $30-40 for private sessions, with higher rates for extensively qualified teachers. Retreats and yoga events, such as “Yoga and Brunch,” are gaining popularity, especially in Southern Africa. The combination of a conscious middle-sized population and doctor recommendations is expected to further fuel the rise of yoga in Africa.

As Africa integrates yoga into its diverse communities, the practice becomes a transformative force for well-being. The intersection of cultural integration, international influence, and doctor recommendations positions yoga as a powerful tool for holistic wellness on the African continent.

Sources:
kiwi.com
jps.library.utoronto.ca
www.afdb.org
https://yogaexperiences.africa/

In conclusion, in the dynamic realm of modern healthcare, yoga therapy emerges as a pivotal player, and it is recognized for its profound impact on holistic wellbeing. Rooted in ancient wisdom yet validated by contemporary research, Yoga therapy is making significant strides as it finds its place in mainstream wellness management.