By Kim Miller

Imagine an approach to easing anxiety that doesn’t require a prescription, has largely only positive side-effects, is accessible from anywhere, and helps people reconnect to their own capacity to heal. That approach does exist—it’s called yoga therapy!

Nearly 40 million adults in the United States alone experience anxiety each year, making it one of the most common mental health conditions. Although traditional treatments like medication and psychotherapy help many, they’re not always enough. Long waitlists, negative side-effects, and high demands placed on our mental health system often leave people searching for more—something gentle, holistic, and supportive of the whole person. This is where yoga therapy comes in.

Yoga therapy is a personalized one-to-one or small-group practice guided by a trained yoga therapist who tailors mindfulness, breathwork, gentle movement, and other yoga tools to meet each individual right where they are. Although the practice is rooted in ancient wisdom and supported by modern research, its impact is perhaps most clearly seen in the lived experiences of real people.

As both a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and an IAYT-certified yoga therapist, I’ve witnessed people shift in ways that continue to move me. I’ve seen, for instance, what happens when someone reconnects with their breath for the first time in years—or ever. Many describe this as the moment they can “finally exhale,” as if they have been holding tension for decades without realizing it.

A few months ago, a patient sat across from me and shared, “I feel like my anxiety is running my life.” They had tried medication management, talk therapy, and lifestyle changes, yet they still didn’t feel grounded. When I introduced them to yoga therapy, something began to settle. It wasn’t anything dramatic. Instead, what this person experienced was quiet, steady, and deeply human—a sense that they could finally return home to themselves.

Why yoga therapy matters

The systemic mental health crisis is real, and the need for compassionate, integrative approaches will only continue to grow. Yoga therapy can be delivered virtually, reducing common barriers and allowing people to access support from an environment where they feel safest.

Research backs this work as well. Thousands of studies support the therapeutic use of yoga for mental health challenges, including anxiety. One 2018 meta-analysis, for example, found significant improvements in anxiety symptoms, along with long-lasting effects on mood, cognitive function, and emotional regulation.

Despite the evidence, yoga therapy remains unknown—or misunderstood—by many healthcare providers and the clients for whom they provide care.

The missing link: A path from healthcare providers

Even with a strong evidence base and a positive patient-acceptance profile, many will never access yoga therapy simply because they are not aware of its existence—or their provider doesn’t have a clear picture of what the practice is, when it’s indicated, or how to refer a client. Yoga therapy is rarely included in conventional mental health training programs, leaving most providers without a clear understanding of its potential role in patient care.

To increase accessibility, we need healthcare provider education about yoga therapy, clarity on when it’s indicated, referral pathways that link clients to trained yoga therapists, and collaboration between yoga therapists and healthcare providers.

These steps aren’t about replacing traditional treatment—they’re about expanding it. When yoga therapy is integrated into the wider mental healthcare model, clients gain tools that help them feel more empowered and more capable of navigating challenging moments with self-compassion.

The call to action

If we want more people to benefit from yoga therapy, we need to make it easier for providers to learn about it, trust it, and refer with confidence. Here are three straightforward ways we can begin to bridge the gaps.

1. Expand awareness through education

Many healthcare providers want to understand yoga therapy—they just don’t have time to sift through various resources. That’s why fast, trustworthy education matters. The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), which publishes this site, offers live and recorded learning opportunities, including its Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research, that give providers a clear picture of what yoga therapy is and when it’s indicated.

2. Build collaboration between yoga therapists and healthcare providers

Meaningful care occurs when professionals share knowledge. Simple practices, such as sharing goals for treatment or clarifying specific scope of practice, can make a dramatic difference. And finding a qualified yoga therapist is easier than many realize: IAYT’s directory connects providers with trained yoga therapists who can partner for optimal patient care.

3. Maintain simple referral pathways

Once healthcare providers understand what yoga therapy is and which professionals can support patients, the next step is ensuring a smooth referral process. This could be as easy as keeping a list of trusted contacts or coordinating a brief “warm handoff” with the yoga therapist. As healthcare providers, we know that these referral pathways naturally arise from strong collaboration—and they assist in getting patients connected with the compassionate adjunctive support they deserve.

Yoga therapy gives people practical tools they can carry into the most challenging moments of their lives. When we work together—healthcare providers, yoga therapists, and communities—we make healing more accessible, holistic, and empowering.

Kim Miller, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, C-IAYT, integrates yoga’s therapeutic wisdom into mental healthcare. With experience supporting underserved populations, she is committed to expanding access to mind?body healing and plans to complete her doctor of nursing practice degree at Duke University in 2026.