Yoga combines asanas (postures), breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditative techniques to promote overall health and well-being. Yoga can help reduce stress, calm the nervous system, and aid in healing from other medical treatments and conditions.
Sessions with a yoga therapist focus on moving into physical postures and using breathing techniques tailored to your symptoms, current health, and intentions.
For general information or to schedule an appointment, call 412‑623‑3023.
Shadyside Place
580 S. Aiken Ave., Suite 310
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Yoga uses ancient science to enhance health and wellness at all levels:
It encourages a healing journey that brings balance to all aspects of your life and awakens your basic nature.
Yoga is a holistic health approach that dates back thousands of years, with roots in ancient Indian and Kemet civilizations. What began as a spiritual discipline has evolved into a variety of philosophies and practices worldwide.
The main concept of yoga is to unite the mind, body, and spirit.
There are many types and styles of yoga, but the most common component of yoga is the “asana” or physical postural practice. Asanas, meditative relaxation techniques, and breathing exercises are all used in yoga.
Yoga is useful both for people who seek relief for certain health problems and for those who want to:
For true health to occur, yoga must address the whole person.
Examples include helping people manage:
In private yoga, the tools and techniques of yoga serve to reconnect you to yourself at all levels — from the:
Yoga with a private instructor will work with your goals.
We tailor each session to your needs, whether you want to:
Yoga can target a specific condition.
Most health issues benefit from some yoga asanas or breathing techniques. Some yoga therapists train mainly in one disease or condition, while others have a broader focus.
Private yoga instructors adjust the poses to your body's needs.
We'll show you how to adjust poses to your body’s distinct needs, using props, modifications, and alignment aids to make sure you get the full rewards from each pose.
Yoga deepens body awareness.
We offer yoga in one-on-one sessions, letting the instructor guide you in the fine subtleties of:
This method increases body awareness and helps you make quicker progress in reshaping your body.
Yoga practice offers many benefits that promote overall health — physical, emotional, and mental.
Yoga can help with:
Research has shown that yoga practice may help:
People of all ages and physical abilities can practice yoga, from young children to elderly people. If you have any questions or physical conditions that you believe might prevent you from doing yoga, check with your physician or yoga instructor before signing up for your first session. Modifications can be made for those with medical conditions or physical limitations, making yoga an inclusive activity for all.
While yoga is considered generally safe for all people, as with any physical activity, there is a risk for injury.
Use an abundance of caution if you are practicing yoga and you:
Consult your health care provider before beginning yoga if you have any of these conditions.
Yoga should always be taught by a trained instructor to avoid any muscle strains or joint discomfort. Do not use yoga in lieu of other medical treatments, and do not use yoga to delay seeing a health care professional about a medical issue.
Yoga is considered safe for most pregnant people and is encouraged by many doctors and prenatal practitioners. Prenatal yoga is a specialization of yoga that uses modifications to asanas and breathing exercises to accommodate the pregnant body and growing baby.
Prenatal yoga can provide relief from pregnancy-related symptoms and promote pregnancy wellness, including:
Prenatal yoga therapy is considered safe, but you should talk with your obstetrician before scheduling a session, especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy.
To prepare for a yoga session, wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing that allows you to move and relax. Bring any relevant health documents or information to give to your yoga instructor.
When the session begins, your yoga instructor will ask you questions about your health history, current symptoms, and personal intentions.
It’s important that a connection of trust and communication is built between you and the instructor. If at any point you feel uncomfortable or unable to relax, speak up. Your sessions will not be as effective if you are unable to feel safe and comfortable.
After a brief discussion, your yoga instructor may explain your personalized yoga plan.
This plan will factor in your:
During the session, your yoga instructor will take you through a series of yoga asanas (poses) and breathing techniques. Each posture and exercise will be personalized for your current condition, symptoms, and abilities.
Your instructor will guide you to connect with your breath, move with intention, and get into each pose with gentle movements.
To end each session, your yoga instructor will guide you into a deep relaxation to unwind and rest from all the movement. This stillness helps integrate the session. Your session may last 60 to 90 minutes.
When the relaxation ends, your instructor will gently guide you back to your present-moment awareness in the room. They may provide feedback on what they noticed about your body and ask you questions or to share your experience.
They may share some movements you can try at home and create a schedule for future appointments. They may also provide guidance on continuing to integrate the session and to focus on self-care, including hydrating, resting, journaling, or processing with a loved one or mental health professional.
At the end of a yoga session, you may feel:
Any discomfort after the session should subside within a day. Over the next few days, notice how your body and mind feel out in the world. You may notice subtle or significant shifts in mood, ease of movement, or sense of self.
While some people may experience a dramatic change in a single yoga session, others may need several sessions over weeks to find relief. Your instructor understands that everyone heals differently and in their own time.
Practicing healthy lifestyle habits outside yoga sessions can help integrate the session more effectively and build awareness for future appointments. This can include prioritizing exercise, healthy eating, sleep, rest, connecting with yourself and others, and taking time for your mental health.
The Center for Integrative Medicine currently offers one- and two-person individual instruction.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2026-06-05.
