Yoga Therapy


Yoga Therapy Berkhamsted

I am a qualified yoga therapist.

Yoga views the mind and the body as one entity and believes that if it is given the right yoga tools and taken to the right environment, it can find harmony and heal itself. Yoga therefore is considered therapeutic.

Yoga therapy is the adaptation of yoga practices for people with health problems. It can aid in the alleviation of conditions such as low back pain, high blood pressure, asthma, COPD, diabetes, digestive problems, cancer (coping with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, rehabilitation from surgery, and reducing anxiety), MS, Chronic Fatigue,  depression, stress and anxiety. Yoga Therapy is regulated by the CNHC – The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council and John is certified by the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Yoga therapy uses gentle postures, breathing exercises, relaxation techniques and meditation to help restore body/mind balance and promote natural healing. It is suitable for all ages and all levels of fitness and flexibility. It empowers you to look after your own health.

Although ordinary yoga classes can improve general health and resolve mild complaints, they may be ineffective – or even harmful – for serious conditions. In such cases, yoga therapy can help people by tailoring yoga to their individual needs, taking into account their health problems, constitution and circumstances.

The student will be given a yoga practice which they can practise on a regular/daily basis. The practice will be adapted to the time that the student has available.

Yoga Therapy is complementary to western medicine and should not be viewed as a substitute for a medical diagnosis or the services of a physician. Yoga Therapy can be practised in conjunction with medical treatments being received and also in tandem with other complementary therapies.

Over a four year period I studied with the Bio Medical Trust and Yoga Campus for their Yoga Therapy Diploma. This included a Yoga Therapy foundation, a two year study period and 250 hours of case study work.

Stage 1 – Application For Yoga Therapy – Questionnaire
In advance of the initial assessment you will be asked to fill in a general health questionnaire and depending on your condition some additional forms relating to that specific condition.

Stage 2 – Initial Assessment
This will be based on the forms you have completed and usually takes between one and one and a half hours. At the end of the assessment I will teach you one or two practices for you to do at home before we meet for the next session.

Stage 3 – Personal Practice
At the second session I will take you through your personal practice which I will have created from our discussions at the initial assessment. From your feedback we can make any adjustments and make sure the practice meets the time you have available. This second session will take in the region of an hour.

Stage 4 – Review
At subsequent sessions I will get your feedback on the practice and review that you are practising the postures safely and as intended. Following these discussions we will decide how to further develop the practice.

Typically you will require 3 to 5 sessions including the initial assessment.

Covid 19 statement
Due to a number of family and personal circumstances I am continuing to provide my Classes and 121 yoga therapy on ZOOM. The next run of 6 ZOOM classes will be from Thursday September 16th to Thursday October 21st. I will then review whether to continue on ZOOM or return to Bayoga studio in Berkhamsted and will publish the information on the website. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss classes or 121 yoga therapy.

Tel: 07775 531502 or, of course, you can drop me an email to [email protected]