Welcome to episode 99 of The Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy and Meditation podcast.
Tune into this real case study with a Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy student, Nancy Clough, that shows how therapeutic yoga and pranayama dramatically improved symptoms in a 40-year-old mason with early-onset Parkinson’s.
In this yoga therapy case study, you’ll discover:
- How yoga nidra restored function to a paralyzed hand
- The specific practices that improved coordination and balance
- Why his neurologist started researching yoga nidra
- The mental and emotional breakthroughs alongside physical gains
- Results achieved in just 6 sessions over 2 months
This case demonstrates the power of yoga therapy for Parkinson’s Disease when working through the koshas – addressing the whole person rather than just physical symptoms.
Join our next yoga therapy training to master these tools and kick off a new career helping others.
The Benefits of Yoga Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
How a Holistic Approach Can Support Movement, Mood, and Quality of Life
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, balance, and coordination, often accompanied by emotional and cognitive challenges. While there is currently no cure, integrative approaches such as yoga therapy are proving to be valuable complementary tools in helping individuals with Parkinson’s manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and regain a sense of agency over their well-being.
At Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy, we’ve seen firsthand how tailored yoga therapy can support people living with Parkinson’s—meeting them where they are physically, emotionally, and energetically. Below, we’ll explore the research-backed and experiential benefits of yoga therapy for Parkinson’s and why more individuals and care providers are integrating it into their treatment plans.
What Is Yoga Therapy?
Unlike general yoga classes, yoga therapy is a personalized, clinically-informed approach that uses yogic tools such as movement (asana), breathwork (pranayama), meditation, and relaxation techniques—to address specific physical, emotional, and neurological concerns.
Yoga therapists trained through schools like Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy are educated in both Western anatomy and yogic frameworks, enabling them to create individualized practices that are safe, adaptable, and effective for people with chronic or progressive conditions like Parkinson’s.
1. Improves Balance and Gait Stability
One of the hallmark challenges of Parkinson’s is impaired balance, which can lead to falls and decreased independence. Multiple studies have shown that yoga practices designed for PD can:
- Improve postural stability and proprioception
- Increase lower body strength and coordination
- Reduce the risk of falls and injuries
In yoga therapy, these improvements are approached gradually and safely, with sequences tailored to the individual’s mobility level, whether seated, using props, or working on standing postures with support.
2. Enhances Flexibility and Reduces Rigidity
Muscle stiffness and rigidity are common symptoms of Parkinson’s. Yoga therapy incorporates gentle, supported movement that encourages joint mobility and muscle release. Breath-led movement helps reduce the body’s habitual tension, improving ease of movement throughout the day.
At Breathing Deeply, we teach therapists to work with the kosha model, addressing both the physical body and the subtler energetic systems that contribute to holding patterns and pain. This integrative approach can help unwind long-held tension patterns common in Parkinson’s.
3. Supports Breath and Voice Control
Breathing can become shallow or restricted in Parkinson’s, and vocal strength may decline. Yoga therapy addresses these concerns through pranayama (breathwork) and vocal toning techniques that:
- Improve lung capacity and respiratory function
- Strengthen the diaphragm and vocal cords
- Cultivate awareness of the breath as a calming, self-regulatory tool
Clients often report feeling more grounded and present after incorporating breath-based practices into their routines, benefiting not just the body, but also their nervous system regulation and emotional wellbeing.
4. Boosts Mood and Cognitive Function
Depression, anxiety, and cognitive changes are frequent companions of Parkinson’s. The meditative and breath-centered aspects of yoga therapy can help shift the nervous system into a rest-and-digest state, supporting:
- Reduced anxiety and stress
- Enhanced focus and memory
- Greater emotional resilience
Breathing Deeply-trained yoga therapists use practices like guided meditation, yoga nidra, and visualization to support the mental/emotional body (manomaya kosha), helping clients reconnect with a sense of calm and inner stability.
5. Promotes a Sense of Empowerment and Connection
Perhaps most importantly, yoga therapy empowers individuals with Parkinson’s to actively participate in their own healing journey. It offers tools that can be practiced daily—building confidence, structure, and a sense of autonomy.
Clients often express that working with a yoga therapist helps them feel seen, supported, and capable—not just a diagnosis to be managed.
Why Work with a Yoga Therapist from Breathing Deeply?
At Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy, our certified therapists are trained in both the science and art of healing. We integrate anatomical knowledge, yogic philosophy, and compassionate inquiry to help clients move toward balance across all levels of being body, breath, mind, and spirit.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s or looking for ongoing support, our therapists can design a practice that meets your needs and evolves with you over time.
Get Started Today
If you or a loved one is living with Parkinson’s and looking for a holistic, supportive approach, yoga therapy may be a powerful next step. Fill in a form here to apply to work with one of our Yoga Therapists.
Breathing Deeply is a Yoga Therapy and Meditation School founded by lead teacher Brandt Passalacqua in 2014. Breathing Deeply offers two levels of yoga therapy certification including the Foundations of Yoga Therapy and an IAYT Accredited Advanced Program, offering C-IAYT eligibility. With many other courses, including an annual online meditation teacher training certification, Breathing Deeply is an active and thriving community of meditators and yogis, caregivers, therapists, teachers, medical professionals, parents & children with the same intention—to serve others, lessen suffering, and co-create a new paradigm in wellness.