Integrating Yoga Therapy into Occupational Therapy Practice for Individuals With IDD

 

Cheryl Albright, OTR/L

CEO, Soul to Soul Yoga and All Ages Therapy Services

 

Within the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), practitioners increasingly recognize the importance of approaches that address both physical and psychosocial dimensions of health. Integrating yoga therapy into occupational therapy (OT) offers a structured, evidence-informed framework that complements traditional interventions by promoting body awareness, emotional regulation, and stress reduction. Quality of life can be enhanced with yoga-based interventions of adaptive movement, breathwork, and mindfulness that are aligned with OT’s holistic, client-centered philosophy. As the profession embraces inclusive models of care, incorporating yoga therapy within OT practice will help foster self-efficacy, resilience, and well-being across the lifespan.