Therapeutic Viniyoga Research
The Impact of Therapeutic Viniyoga on State Change
While many studies have discussed the effectiveness of interventions using different yoga techniques and teachings with various populations, there has been less research on the effectiveness of yoga therapy. Viniyoga therapists utilize the principles of Viniyoga, a type of yoga developed by Krishnamacharya, to provide therapeutic yogic interventions to individual clients in order to improve functioning and relieve suffering. This qualitative study conducted interviews with fourteen Viniyoga trained yoga therapists to understand the impact of Viniyoga therapy on state change. State change is defined as either a physical or psychological change that improved well-being, ameliorated suffering, or increased insight for the client. The researchers used an in-depth semi-structured interview while utilizing open-ended questioning. A definition of Viniyoga Therapy was developed, and distinctions were made between yoga therapists and yoga teachers. Subjects interviewed discussed the results of their interventions using the 5-dimensional pañcamaya model, which considers a client’s structure, physiology, mind, personality, and emotions. Viniyoga therapists interviewed drew from their own observations, as well as clients’ self-reported data. Results were analyzed using NVivo software and based on Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis principles. Five important themes emerged: 1) Viniyoga empowers clients to participate in their own process of state change by training their self-observation skills and providing tools for influencing their state 2) Intentionally engineered experiences are the tools of Viniyoga 3) Viniyoga takes a highly individualized approach to supporting state change 4) The relationship between the client and the Viniyoga therapist itself promotes state change, and is very important to the state change process 5) State change is foundational to the healing process of Viniyoga. The study concluded that Viniyoga therapy can be helpful in creating state change and alleviating distress related to a wide range of physical and psychological conditions. Implications for yoga therapy as an integrative and complementary health approach are discussed.
Vasquez, J, Quill, M.Q., Bossart, C. (2024). The Impact of Therapeutic Viniyoga on State Change. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine; 9(3), 54. doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2403054
How Viniyoga Supports Health and Healing
In this qualitative study, the impact of therapeutic Viniyoga on health and healing was explored from the perspective of 14 Viniyoga therapists who were interviewed on their perceptions of how yoga therapy contributes to the health and healing of their clients. A philosophical definition of Therapeutic Viniyoga was developed. Three themes related to health and healing from the perspective of Viniyoga therapists were identified using NVivo and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis procedures: The definition of health is unique to each person. Healing is broadly defined as change in a positive direction. Healing occurs in stages. Four case studies illustrate how yoga therapy appeared to impact the course of health and healing among the clients of the yoga therapists who were interviewed. The study suggests that Viniyoga appears to benefit the overall health of clients and contribute to the healing of a variety of physical and psychological conditions. Implications for yoga therapy as an integrative and complementary health and wellness approach using multidisciplinary collaboration are discussed.
Vasquez, J., Quill, M. & Bossart, C. (2025) How Viniyoga Supports Health and
Healing. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 10(1), 14. doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2501014. https://www.lidsen.com/journals/icm/icm-10-01-014
Exploring the practice of one-to-one therapeutic Viniyoga
Therapeutic Viniyoga is holistic and the treatment, starting point, progression, and goals are unique for each individual client. This study uses Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and directed content analysis, combining theory and application to offer a tangible, conceptually grounded window into the process and practice of one-to-one Therapeutic Viniyoga. How Viniyoga is applied therapeutically is explored through the lens of trained Viniyoga therapists. Fourteen Viniyoga therapists were interviewed, and the transcripts were analyzed using NVivo and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to uncover the themes of the study. Six themes were identified: three are conceptual processes underpinning the therapeutic application of Viniyoga, and 3 are descriptions of techniques. The 3 process themes are: Theme 1- daily practice, Theme 2- self- observation, and Theme 3- state change. The 3 categories of techniques are: Theme 4- breath work, Theme 5- movement, and Theme 6- meditation/attention. Each therapist was also asked to describe two client cases. Qualitative directed content analysis was conducted on the 29 client cases to illustrate and elaborate on the identified themes. The kaleidoscope of client case presenting problems and additional concerns included a broad mix of physical and psychological issues. The duration of the therapeutic relationships ranged from weeks to more than a decade. The initial daily personal practices for the client cases showcased how completely the practice is customized to the individual. Only a handful resemble what most people think of as yoga. The use of breathwork, movement and attention (if included) were all unique to the client. Five of the 13 examples of the process of client self-awareness related to aspects of the personal practice and 8 were instances of self-awareness in daily life. State change examples were observed on all 5 dimensions of the Pañcamaya model of the human system including physical (body and breath 9 examples), mind (13 examples), emotions (3 examples), and behavior (4 examples).
Vasquez, J., Heeter, C., Quill, M., & Bossart, C. (2025). Exploring the practice of one-to-one therapeutic Viniyoga: A qualitative investigation using interpretative phenomenological analysis and directed content analysis. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 10(3), 29. https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2503029
The Yoga Well podcast: Defining Yoga in the Field of Yoga Research
In this episode, Chase Bossart sits down with Dr. Jennifer Vasquez to discuss her Yoga journey and experiences in social work integrating Viniyoga and Yoga Therapy into research. Chase was a personal student of Mr. TKV Desikachar for over 25 years and has been Dr. Vasquez' Viniyoga mentor since 2016.
The Yoga Well podcast: Research on How Viniyoga Supports Health & Healing
In this episode, Dr. Carrie Heeter interviews Dr. Jennifer Vasquez about her newly published research on How Viniyoga Supports Health and Healing. Heeter and Vasquez are long-time Viniyoga practitioners, members of the Yoga Well Institute community, and research scientists.
Appointments
Request a Complimentary Consultation
Schedule a time to talk about your goals and how yoga therapy can help
Jennifer Vasquez, PhD, LCSW-S, C-IAYT, RYT-500
