Utilizing Yoga Principles and Techniques in Experiential Family Therapy

Abstract

The effects of yoga on mental health and general wellbeing are not a new research endeavor, as there are many studies that explore this topic. However, there is little literature on the integration of yoga within a therapeutic context. We seek to fill that gap and demonstrate the connections we see between the philosophies and practices of yoga and experiential family therapy specifically. First, we give a background of the origins of yoga and its use in psychotherapy thus far in addition to the essentials of Satir's experiential family therapy. We then connect these fields by discussing how they overlap both in beliefs and practices and by providing a case example that utilized techniques from both disciplines. We end with sharing our reflections surrounding implications to consider and our hopes for where this discourse could lead us in the future.