At Roper Physical Therapy, we believe that with awareness, there is choice, especially when it comes to your health and overall wellness! Therefore, we offer several options in classes such as our Medical Therapeutic Yoga classes to complement our myofascial release appointments.
Medical Therapeutic Yoga (MTY) may sound foreign to some of our patients. So, we want to clear up what this form of yoga is and what sets it apart from yoga classes you will find throughout Charlotte. For instance, did you know that our PTs went through more than 1500 hours of training for MTY yoga? Your typical yoga teacher has 200 to 500 hours of training and is not a physical therapist. Also, Medical Therapeutic Yoga is biomechanically sound with our PTs teaching yoga based on the Eight Limbs of Yoga.
I sat down with Rachel Gorman, PT, DPT, OCS, PYT-c to discuss Medical Therapeutic Yoga at Roper Physical Therapy.
Interviewer: What is Medical Therapeutic Yoga?
Rachel: Medical Therapeutic Yoga utilizes a holistic, biopsychosocial model of care, prescribing yoga in a safe and effective manner. It combines the expertise of a physical therapist with the traditional components of yoga, making it safe for all ages and medical diagnoses.
Many yoga studios offer yoga therapy classes. However, that does not mean that the instructor has a medical background. For instance, did you know that our PTs went through more than 1500 hours of training for Medical Therapeutic Yoga in addition to the education and training to be a Physical Therapist.
Interviewer: What makes Yoga at Roper PT different from a class at your local gym or studio?
Rachel: MTY classes are taught by a Professional Yoga Therapy Institute trained physical therapist, who takes into account your specific condition and can adjust and adapt your program to meet your needs. We begin by focusing on breath work and yoga pre-postures, providing a safe platform to build upon.
Interviewer: What is the difference in the class style for yoga with a PT rather than a regular yoga instructor?
Rachel: As physical therapists, we are focused on the best biomechanics to keep your body safe and healthy. We lay the foundation for utilizing the core with your breathing practice to ensure stability throughout your practice.
Interviewer: What if I am new to yoga or have flexibility or injury issues, and I worry about keeping up?
Rachel: MTY classes are beneficial for a wide range of medical diagnoses, all ages, and all experience levels. No prior yoga experience is necessary. We also limit our classes to 10 people or less to make it an intimate experience in order to tailor it to your specific needs.
Interviewer: Because you are Physical Therapists, can I use my Healthcare Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Savings Account (FSA) to pay for my MTY yoga classes?
Rachel: Yes, all we need is a physical therapy evaluation on file for you. That can be either a physical therapy evaluation or a private yoga, one-on-one, evaluation.
Ready to sign-up for a class?! Then be sure to Register Through Janes’s App or Call us @ (980) 298-6706 or Email us @ [email protected].