Perhaps one of the most insightful and considered explanations of yoga as a form of therapy comes from TKV Desikachar ( 1938-2016),

​

​

"A self-empowering process, where the care seeker, with the help of the yoga therapist, implements a personalized and evolving yoga practice, that not only addresses the illness in a multi-dimensional manner, but also aims to alleviate his/her suffering in a progressive, non-invasive and complementary manner. Depending on the nature of the illness, yoga therapy can not only be preventative or curative, but also serve as a means to manage the illness, or facilitate healing in the person at all levels."