Yoga therapist

Career path and progression

You could be a yoga teacher, as well as practising as a self-employed therapist.

With experience, you could teach or supervise yoga therapists in training.

You might also complete extra courses to offer other complementary therapies to clients.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• to enjoy working with other people
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• knowledge of psychology
• to be flexible and open to change
• leadership skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults
• have a good level of fitness

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Biology - Yoga therapists need a solid understanding of anatomy and physiology to design safe, effective programmes for clients with specific health conditions. Knowing how muscles, joints, the nervous system, and breathing work helps them choose the right postures and techniques for each person's needs.
• Physical Education - Yoga therapists teach movement, postures, and breathing techniques that require strong body awareness, coordination, and flexibility. Understanding how the body responds to exercise, how to build strength safely, and how to adapt physical activity for different abilities is central to their work.
• Psychology - Yoga therapists work with clients experiencing stress, anxiety, trauma, and other emotional challenges. Understanding how the mind affects the body – and how techniques like relaxation and visualisation can support mental wellbeing – helps them create truly personalised therapy programmes.

Also relevant

• Sociology - Yoga therapists work with people from diverse backgrounds and need to understand how factors like culture, social circumstances, and lifestyle affect a person's health and wellbeing. This awareness helps them communicate sensitively and adapt their approach to each client.
• English Language - Yoga therapists rely heavily on clear verbal communication to guide clients through postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques. They also need strong listening skills to understand each client's concerns and explain therapy plans in an accessible, reassuring way.
• Business - Yoga therapists often work as self-employed practitioners, which means managing their own bookings, finances, marketing, and client relationships. Understanding how to run a small business is important for building a sustainable practice.
• Chemistry - Yoga therapists benefit from understanding basic body chemistry, such as how breathing techniques affect oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, or how stress hormones like cortisol impact the body. This scientific grounding supports their ability to explain the benefits of yoga therapy to clients.