Yoga Therapy: An emerging wellness modality for the 21st century
The GWI Yoga Therapy Initiative was created in 2019 by Bija Bennett, the Global Wellness Institute and Initiative members to promote the ancient, evolving and multidimensional science of Yoga Therapy and define it as an emerging wellness modality for the 21st century.
As one of the world’s earliest systems of holistic health and self-care, Yoga Therapy is a low-tech, easily accessible, evidence-based system of health care that can be used and applied to a full spectrum of conditions, from chronic disease and mental health to aging and personal growth.
Yoga Therapy, defined as a subset of yoga that uses the clinical application of yogic practices and tools, evolved from a tradition dating back thousands of years. However, it is differentiated from yoga as it is understood in modern society because of its efficacy as an evidence-based system that can positivily affect the lifestyle-related conditions of our modern age.
The work of the Yoga Therapy initiative is to spread awareness by educating the global community—regardless of age, gender, culture or socioeconomic status—about the wealth of evidence-based research, recent innovations, publications, programs and industry leaders in the global field of Yoga Therapy.
Learn more about our GWI Yoga Therapy Initiative members.
The developing White Paper by the GWI Yoga Therapy Initiative is designed to promote the science of Yoga Therapy and to define its role in the global wellness economy as an emerging trend.
Yoga Therapy Initiative Trends
2022 Trends
Trend 1: Yoga Industry Continues Exponential Growth
Trend 2: Yoga Practitioners Embrace Social Media
Trend 3: Yoga Therapy Sees Rising Demand
Trend 4: Yoga Therapy Gains Traction with Medical Establishment
Trend 5: Corporate Wellness Programs Embrace Yoga
2021 Trends
Trend 1: Emergence of yoga therapy as holistic and healing wellness modality
Trend 2: Integration of yoga therapy into healthcare, a complement to modern medicine
Trend 3: Breathing as therapy for mind-body health
Trend 4: Individual assessment and care vs. group classes
Trend 5: Growth in certification of yoga therapists nationally and globally, recognition as a viable profession
Trend 6: Integrating and leveraging technology in yoga therapy
Global Wellness Institute Ambassador
Bija is an ambassador at the Global Wellness Institute, playing a critical role in their mission to empower wellness worldwide.
The Global Wellness Institute is a non-profit research organization with a mission to empower wellness worldwide by educating the public and private sectors about preventative health and wellness. GWI’s research, programs and initiatives have been instrumental in the growth of the $4.2 trillion global wellness economy—and in uniting the health and wellness industries worldwide.
GWI facilitates collaboration, provides global research and insight, triggers innovation, and advocates for growth and sustainability. Through its four foundational pillars: research, industry initiatives, roundtable discussions and wellnessevidence.com, the GWI serves as a hub that informs and connects key stakeholders capable of impacting the overall wellness of our planet and its citizens.