Definitions of yoga therapy and yoga therapists are not necessarily easy to develop, particularly when there are so many differing approaches and traditions.  However the committee of the AAYT recognise that definitions or descriptions of yoga therapy and yoga therapists are an important starting point particularly for the yoga community and the general public. The AAYT defines Yoga Therapy as:  

Who or What is a Yoga Therapist?

How is Yoga Therapy provided?

Yoga Therapy is most commonly provided by way of an individualised consultation, in a similar way to many other modalities of health and well-being such as counselling, physiotherapy, massage therapy etc. In some circumstances it can be provided in a group or class setting, in which case it may be called a 'therapeutic Yoga class'.

Traditionally, in its homeland of India, Yoga Therapy was a one to one interaction between client and practitioner, wherein the specific, individual circumstances of the client guided the therapeutic strategy. In our Western contemporary setting, we also recognise the wisdom of the one to one interaction. Like our therapeutic forebears, our Yoga Therapy practice is informed by our client's life circumstances. However our broader health knowledge, greater access to the wide variety of Yoga therapy approaches world-wide and modern technological advances in assessment, means that the contemporary Yoga Therapist can provide her/his client with the very best blend of traditional wisdom and proven therapeutic applications, planned and designed individually and specifically for her/his needs.