MTY uses a standardized way to assess and treat an individual through a plan of care using a Functional Movement Algorithm (FMA). The method provides a step-by-step checklist to ensure safe alignment, adequate breathing, and appropriate nervous system responses through a developmental movement sequence. Distinct observations of a person’s neurophysiological reactions to movement and their environment, as supported by emerging neuroscience, is considered throughout to support a balanced mind-body connection and state. The FMA is a unique key evaluative tool of MTY, which I use as a gauge in both private practice and group classes.

What has become apparent to me is that in this industrialized, consumer-driven, highly stressed society, it is imperative for clinicians to simultaneously attend to the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of illness in order to best serve their patients.4 Medical Therapeutic Yoga provides a complementary holistic alternative to the existing biomedical model with use of a biopsychosocial approach. This holistic yogic lens is a revolutionary way of understanding how a person’s subjective experience, lifestyle, and personal circumstances serve as essential contributors to accurate diagnosis, treatment decisions, and health outcomes.

Dr. Sylvie Le, DPT

MTY has completely changed the foundation of my practice for the better. This is especially true since a large majority of the clients that come in through my clinic door fall within the medical category of high complexity. I see patients in a small, rural area of NC. On a typical day over half of my evaluations involve complex chronic pain diagnoses with chronic low back pain taking the lead. The rates at which those individuals suffer from chronic use of opioids is always astronomical as well. After seeing this population for about 2 years, it became clear that our standardized approach as physical therapists was not effective in influencing this patient population in a successful way.

MTY provided me with the framework for discussing (Lifestyle Medicine) – the difficult and vague topics of depression, anxiety, stress, nutrition, and sleep quality, which were constantly influencing my patient outcomes. I could better understand when to refer patients and had a finer way of educating them on what encompassed good lifestyle habits. Since implementing MTY, I have noticed a significant shift in my ability to deliver care that is more effective and capable of providing a whole person approach. It has set the stage for much more successful outcomes with my patients across the board. The MTY method is proof that providing care in underserved populations with access to very little resources can still produce positive outcomes.

Dr. Kassandra Prutsman, PT, DPT

I’ve come to believe that most powerful aspect of yoga that I can impart to my patients is dhyana, or meditation. Countless studies affirm the benefits across a range of body systems, but the most immediate for my needs is helping people address pain.

Joy McKinney PT

Partnership with Yoga in PT is a sustainable and cost effective way to deliver evidence based compassionate care. Not only has it helped my patients to feel empowered for self care, it has also infused new found enthusiasm in my PT practice, which is sustainable for my wellbeing too.

Kanchan Thakar, PT

I use MTY with every patient, regardless of if they are 80 with chronic pain, an acute shoulder, or someone in an MVA with whiplash injury. The majority of these patients all have 2 things in common: pain & response to pain.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, “PTs examine each individual and develop a plan, using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability.” We often think of treatment techniques as being exercise, but we now know that treatment is so much more than that. It is the inclusion of pain management, nutrition, looking at the patients’ well-being…All of these are inclusive of the Biopsychosocial Model in MTY.

Brandis Gunderson, PT

MTY has become an integral component of my physical therapy practice. I specialize in the treatment of men and women with a variety of pelvic and orthopedic symptoms, including persistent pain, bowel, bladder and sexual dysfunction, general weakness and pregnancy-related symptoms. My focus as a physical therapist is to help my clients restore comfortable movement and return to social, family, work and personal activities as much as they are able. I was drawn to the MTY program because of the foundation in evidence, the natural partnership of yoga and physical therapy, and the increasing emphasis on movement and patient empowerment for successful management of chronic pain. MTY provides a comprehensive framework for my assessments and treatment sessions, and most importantly, for me to transition patients into independent management of their symptoms.

MTY has enhanced my ability to connect with patients and provide them with a more holistic approach to their healthcare and wellness. I value the emphasis on the mind-body connection and am grateful for the skills and framework MTY provides to my clinical practice as well as my own self-care.

Dr. Sarah Talley, DPT