The Use of Yoga in Clinical Practice: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive survey was to explore how, and for what purpose, health care practitioners use yoga in clinical practice. A survey was administered to professionals who identified as healthcare practitioners who used yoga in their practice. There were 205 completed responses from a combination of healthcare practitioners including occupational therapists, physical therapists, yoga therapists, recreational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and mental health counselors. Practitioners worked in outpatient, community, and acute rehab settings. Open-ended survey questions were analyzed using directed content analysis. Themes included how to discuss and document yoga, selecting yoga based on patient preference and clinical judgment, and finally, practitioners’ recommendations for implementing yoga into practice. Implications of the study are further discussed.