At Aliya Mental Health, we believe healing involves nurturing the body and mind together. Our yoga and breathwork therapy programs combine gentle movement, breathing practices, and mindfulness to promote emotional balance, stress relief, and overall wellness. Whether practiced in a group setting or one-on-one with a therapist, these techniques provide practical tools for managing stress and anxiety, improving mental clarity, and supporting recovery from trauma or addiction.
What Is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga therapy is the application of yogic breathing practice, yoga poses, and mindfulness techniques to address both physical and mental health needs. Unlike standard yoga classes, therapy sessions are guided by trained yoga instructors or therapists and tailored to individual goals. In a mental health setting, yoga therapy complements traditional treatments, helping patients manage conditions such as depression, stress, anxiety, or PTSD. Through practicing breathwork and mindful movement, yoga therapy reconnects the mind and body, promoting emotional resilience and self-awareness.
Breathwork and Yogic Breathing
Yoga breathwork—or pranayama breathing—is central to yoga therapy. Techniques like alternate nostril breathing, nadi shodhana pranayama, ujjayi pranayama, bellows breaths, bee breath (humming bee breath), skull shining breath, kumbhaka pranayama breath retention, breath of fire, box breathing, oceans breath, cooling breath, and victorious breath help regulate the nervous system, increase prana breath, and support mental clarity.
Deep breathing exercises such as belly breathing or diaphragmatic breath calm the mind, relieve tension, and enhance focus. By inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your nose, or practicing nostril breathing with the mouth closed, patients can activate relaxation responses and reduce stress and anxiety over a period of time.
How Breathwork Supports Mental Health
Research suggests that practicing yoga breath can significantly improve mood, reduce negative emotions, and foster self-regulation. Breathwork practices like nadi shodhana, alternate nostril breathing, and ujjayi breathing are particularly effective at balancing the nervous system, enhancing mental focus, and cultivating mindfulness. Integrating yoga breath exercises into therapy allows patients to practice breath awareness during challenging moments, supporting emotional regulation and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Yoga Therapy Sessions
Yoga therapy sessions at Aliya are designed to be accessible for all skill levels. A typical session may include:
- Breathing meditation and pranayama: Techniques like pranayama breath retention, ujjayi pranayama, skull shining breath, or alternate nostril breathing to calm the mind and relieve stress.
- Gentle yoga poses (asanas): Including forward bends, yoga flow, and movements adapted for flexibility, strength, and tension release.
- Mindfulness and meditation: Encouraging present-moment awareness and mindful breathing.
- Guided relaxation: Using breathwork techniques to deepen the therapeutic process.
Through these exercises, patients develop skills in breath retention, breath awareness, and mindful breathing, while also improving body awareness and emotional resilience.
Benefits of Yoga and Breathwork Therapy
Physical benefits:
- Enhanced flexibility and strength
- Improved posture and balance
- Reduced muscle tension and pain management
- Better circulation and respiratory function
Mental health benefits:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved mental clarity and emotional balance
- Increased focus and concentration
- Support for trauma recovery and addiction
- Strengthened connection between body and mind
By integrating yogic breathing into therapy, patients learn to harness the life force (prana) for greater wellness and self-regulation.
Practicing Breathwork at Home
Yoga instructors often recommend simple practices like ujjayi breathing, alternate nostril breathing, or belly breathing in a comfortable position. Consistent practice—whether short daily sessions or guided yoga breathwork classes—can deepen your yoga flow, reduce tension, and improve focus and relaxation in everyday life.
Who Can Benefit
Yoga and breathwork yoga can support anyone, from beginners to advanced practitioners. It’s particularly effective for those dealing with:
- Stress and anxiety
- Depression or mood disorders
- Trauma and PTSD
- Addiction recovery
- Low focus or mental clarity challenges
Whether integrated with therapy for mental health disorders or used as part of holistic wellness, practicing yoga breath provides tangible benefits for both body and mind.