The theory is genius in its simplicity, but then again, isn’t that the basis of all great ideas?

It’s no great revelation that the mind and body are intimately connected. So if the mind is suffering, the body can’t help but share the pain. Doesn’t logic therefore dictate that equal attention must be paid to the body when releasing the mind? That is the idea behind Yoga Psychotherapy.

Danielle McDermott discovered in a yoga class at age 19, that certain stretches and poses induced unexpected emotional releases. Realizing that body movements can help release pent up feelings, she knew this discovery was worth exploring, and so began a path that would lead to her present career.

To get a strong footing in the understanding of psychology, she set out to get her Masters in the field, which she then followed with a certification in yoga therapy to develop her own unique approach to counselling.

What this entails is traditional talk therapy coupled with certain yoga techniques. When we experience emotions, we experience them with our whole body, so it holds a lot of tension. Think of how tight your neck and shoulders get when you’re under a lot of stress. Those with anxiety or anxiety disorders chronically hold a lot of tension in these areas and the buildup often manifests itself as indigestion, back pain, and other “psychosomatic disorders.” The benefit of yoga psychotherapy is that in addition to addressing the underlying emotional or psychological issues through talking, it also helps release the physical tension with concurrent stretches and poses.

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