What is the Origin of Yoga Therapy?

While yoga is an ancient discipline with roots in Indian philosophy, its formal application as a measurable therapy has gained clinical validation through modern psychoneuroimmunology research, which documents its efficacy in reducing allostatic load and improving hormonal resilience. The integration of its techniques into clinical protocols is a relatively recent development.

What is the Mechanism of Yoga Therapy?

Yoga therapy operates by consciously activating the parasympathetic nervous system, effectively down-regulating the chronic stress response mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This reduction in sympathetic tone lowers basal cortisol secretion, improves heart rate variability, and promotes a favorable shift in the anabolic-catabolic hormone balance, thereby supporting overall endocrine health and immune function.

Yoga Therapy ∞ Area

Yoga Therapy

Meaning

The clinical and therapeutic application of yoga practices, including specific physical postures (asanas), controlled breathing techniques (pranayama), and focused meditation, as a non-pharmacological intervention to modulate the autonomic nervous system and optimize the neuroendocrine axes. This practice is used to address a range of psychosomatic and hormonal imbalances, promoting a state of integrated mind-body wellness. It is a systematic, evidence-informed complementary approach to clinical care.