Yoga

Yoga therapy is a holistic therapy that takes a whole-body approach to health. It draws on yoga exercise, practices, and philosophies, to improve mental and physical health. Yoga is a mind and body practice that has long been utilized for its ability to derive calm and balance in one’s life through focus on breathwork and the mental-physical connection. Yoga brings together a combination of physical postures supported by breathing techniques and meditation. There are several types of yoga and many disciplines within the practice, all with the common goal of promoting mental and physical well-being. Yoga therapists use yogic breathing and stretching techniques, chosen based an individual’s health care needs, to help the body heal.

While yoga is a healthy pursuit that can benefit its practitioners in its general form, yoga therapy is an evolving field which focuses on using evidence-based yogic practices in the treatment of specific health conditions. People with specific health concerns, who want to acquire tools specific to their condition to improve wellness can benefit from yoga therapy. Yoga has proven helpful in the management of back pain, arthritis, depression, anxiety, and stress, back and neck pain, fibromyalgia, PMS, headaches, insomnia, menopause, and weight concerns.

Yoga expenses do not typically qualify for HSA use, however, with a Letter of Medical Necessity, yoga could potentially qualify as HSA-eligible services.