Yoga Therapy has its roots in the ancient traditions of yoga , but its modern application took shape more recently, in the early 20th century, notably under the leadership of pioneers such as Tirumalai Krishnamacharya , who is often considered the father of modern yoga. He taught yoga not only as a spiritual and philosophical path, but also as a method for improving physical and mental health. His students, notably BKS Iyengar and TKV Desikachar, helped develop the therapeutic approach to yoga by adapting it to the specific needs of each individual.

However, the idea that yoga can be used as a therapy dates back to classical yoga texts such as Patanjali's Yoga Sutras , where yoga is described as a tool to calm the mind and improve the quality of life. Ancient writings such as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Bhagavad Gita mention the importance of pranayama (breathing techniques) and asanas (postures) in balancing the body and mind, essential aspects that are at the heart of Yoga Therapy today.

The term "Yoga Therapy" as a specific discipline was officially recognized in the mid-20th century, with the work of doctors and researchers in India and the West who began to study the therapeutic benefits of yoga in treating physical, mental, and emotional disorders. The development of this discipline has also been influenced by modern approaches to holistic medicine , which view the body, mind, and emotion as interconnected systems. Yoga therapy has thus structured itself as a holistic approach capable of treating various pathologies, ranging from chronic pain to anxiety disorders and cardiovascular diseases.

Yoga Therapy differs from other forms of yoga in its individualized approach. It is designed to adapt traditional yoga practices to the specific needs of the individual, whether to cure an illness, relieve symptoms, or promote faster healing. In this context, yoga postures, breathing techniques, and meditations are adapted and often simplified to be more accessible to people suffering from various physical and mental ailments.

The modern history of Yoga Therapy has also benefited from the recognition of yoga as a therapeutic method in many medical disciplines. In India, it is an integral part of Ayurvedic medicine , and in many Western countries, Yoga Therapy is now recognized as a complementary approach to conventional medical treatments. Institutions such as the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) were founded to promote research and training in the field of yoga therapy, contributing to the professionalization and scientific validation of this practice.

Today, Yoga Therapy continues to evolve, incorporating recent scientific discoveries about the functioning of the body and brain to improve its techniques and expand its scope of application. It is increasingly used in contexts of physical rehabilitation , stress management and treatment of chronic diseases , thus combining the ancient traditions of yoga with contemporary medical knowledge.