Ann Swanson Wellness

17/05/2025

**Here’s why yoga teachers are NOT physical therapists 👇**

Different scopes of practice. Different superpowers.✨

🧘‍♀️ **YOGA TEACHERS** and yoga therapists are experts in using the *full* toolbox of yoga — from asana and pranayama to meditation and philosophy — to support healing, growth, and better lifestyle choices.

We help people connect to themselves and empower them to care for their whole being — body, mind, and spirit. That’s why yoga is often called **lifestyle medicine**.

💪 **PHYSICAL THERAPISTS** are movement and rehab pros. They do advanced manual techniques, prescribe PT exercises, and work within the medical system — often under insurance.

I respect and collaborate with PTs constantly (I even used to be on the PT school track before switching to a Master’s in Yoga Therapy!). I often “yogify” PT routines — adding breathwork, mindfulness, or a quick meditation to regulate the nervous system.

But here's the thing:

**Yoga looks at the whole person — not just the physical layer.**

We assess from the lens of energy, breath, emotions, thoughts, and spirit (the *koshas*).

That’s why what we do *matters.* And why we collaborate so well with traditional Physical Therapists.

And it’s why we need more teachers who feel confident speaking the language of both yoga *and* science.

➡️ If you’re a YOGA TEACHER who wants to deepen your understanding and make a bigger impact, head on over to my Instagram stories for more info!

Let’s get you trained, confident, and certified. 💥

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15/05/2025

in just 1 minute! ⏰ YOGA TEACHERS, would you like to optimize your practice and teaching with the most cutting-edge research? Go to my profile to get the info about the SCIENCE OF YOGA Certification

⏰ Now is the time!

Text from cards:

Did you know?

Studies show that squatting (like in yoga chair pose)

Improves cognitive and executive function.

If sitting is the new smoking,

what if you have to work at the computer all day?

Taking yoga breaks

through your day

to do several chair poses

could optimize mental energy

+ reduce blood sugar spikes.

In a 2023 study, 1 min half-squats every 20 min

boosted focus, cognition, and cerebral blood flow.

One review showed considerable evidence

of the positive effects mini exercise breaks have on blood sugar levels.

A quick, periodic chair Sun Salutation break could stabilize your blood sugar,

reducing inflammation while boosting energy and focus.

Effects of intermittent exercise during prolonged sitting on executive function, cerebrovascular, and psychological response: a randomized crossover trial (2023)

The effects of breaking up prolonged sitting time: A review of experimental studies (2015)

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13/05/2025

Head to my Instagram to find all the details on my SCIENCE OF YOGA Certification

TEXT ON CARDS:

Did you know? Yoga boosts mitochondria function

Yes, as you learned in science class, **mitochondria** are the “powerhouse” of your cell.

When your cells are more energetically efficient, this can mean:

🔋 More energy

🦠 Better immunity

🏃 Improved exercise performance and recovery

(which tends to decline with age)

*Mitochondrial dysfunction can also result in a broad range of disorders, such as:*

*autoimmune diseases, cancer, accelerated ageing, Diabetes, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.* But your yoga practice can help.

A 2021 Randomized Controlled Trial looked at yoga’s effects on mitochondrial function.

There’s more! Yoga is well known to positively alter genetic expression.

In this study, yoga seemed to improve DNA repair and turn down pro-inflammatory gene activity.

Are you a yoga teacher interested in applying the most up-to-date science to your teaching? Then you’ll love the SCIENCE OF YOGA Certification 🤩

Get all the details: https://www.annswansonwellness.com/science-of-yoga-certification

Gautam S, et al. Yoga improves mitochondrial health and reduces severity of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis: A randomized controlled trial. Mitochondrion.

Gautam, S., et al. (2021). Yoga-Impact on Mitochondrial Health: Clinical Consequences. Annals of neurosciences.

24/03/2025

17/01/2025

Launch week for SCIENCE OF YOGA 2nd Edition:

🔥 #1 new release in all categories

🥳 An exclusive launch party with 400+ participants joining live from around the world and watching on-demand

👼 Celebrating over 1/2 a million copies sold in 15+ languages with my sweet newborn baby!

Please share and tag me if you got a copy.

Don't have a copy yet? What are you waiting for?! Go to https://scienceof.yoga/bonus to get the book with my best bonus of the Yoga Survival Kit filled with extra therapeutic sequences to relieve pain.