Yoga Therapy in Australia: A Path Forward

In a world where centralised policy-making often overshadows our voices, we’ve witnessed another sweeping decision.. The Department of Social Services (DSS) has confirmed that Yoga Therapy is no longer an approved support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This decision has stirred feelings of disappointment and concern within our community.

Yoga Australia has heard from numerous Yoga Therapists whose businesses have been significantly impacted by the recent restrictions on Yoga Therapy funding. In many cases we directly share this pain, and we are committed to providing support now and into the future. Along with advocating for Yoga Therapy as a respectable profession, we are here to navigate these changes in practical sense.

At all times we focus on methods to increase proliferation of yoga in the community.

So, why was yoga therapy dropped from the list?

The DSS cited criteria focusing on effectiveness, cost, and overall value compared to alternative options. Despite our collective efforts – Yoga Australia rallied its members and dozens of submissions were made during the consultation process – the outcome reflects the challenges of influencing decision-makers who operate behind closed doors.

A significant factor in this narrative relates to a review by the Department of Health and Ageing in 2015, which deemed studies on the therapeutic benefits of yoga as insufficient. They called for more rigorous research with larger sample sizes and better reporting. It would thus be glaringly inconsistent for one department to endorse yoga while another dismisses it.

In any case, we won’t back down. We will continue to “fight the good fight” alongside supportive allies in the profession and in government.

Of course, it leaves us pondering

How can we strengthen our voice in government decision-making? There are often numerous intermediaries and barriers in place, designed to prevent conflicts of interest. While a specific Not-for-Profit (NFP) peak body may be consulted, this isn’t guaranteed and shouldn’t be relied upon.

Final decisions are made by ministers and their teams based on measures that often remain undisclosed until after the fact. It can feel disheartening, almost like a personal affront, to have our valuable work categorised alongside practices that don’t align with the evidence we know exists. Institutions like Harvard Medical School affirm the efficacy of Yoga Therapy! Yet here we are, faced with a decision that overlooks our profession’s depth and importance.

Yoga Australia is actively participating in the current Natural Therapies 2019-2024 Review, as a key stakeholder organisation. Yoga Australia, via Director Rebel Tucker, engages faithfully with the Department of Health and Ageing throughout the review. The panel is chaired by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, and is revisiting the evidence surrounding yoga. We are hopeful for a more inclusive decision moving forward. This, in light of the potential rationale for the DSS decision offered above, may be our most important activity yet.

But while we vie for representation at all levels of government, we must ask ourselves: how effective is the direct approach to progress the bureaucratic process? Do these efforts uplift our mission, or does it serve as a distraction? At the heart of Yoga Therapy is a commitment to effectiveness in treatment – yoga is, after all, about skill in action, as beautifully expressed in the Bhagavad Gita. 

To what extent should energy be directed on delivering treatments with increasing astuteness, and then shining the light on the extraordinary outcomes generated? For those practicing Yoga Therapy within the NDIS framework, it’s important to keep up to date with the recent changes. 

Challenges for Yoga Therapists

Integrating Yoga Therapy Within the NDIS Framework

For those who provide support and care under the NDIS and have Yoga Therapy as part of their skill set, there remains an avenue to bring these valuable practices to participants. Qualified practitioners can offer Yoga Therapy through appropriate NDIS billing channels, provided they meet certain criteria. However, this option comes with significant limitations.

NDIS Requirements:

• The NDIS funds services provided by registered NDIS providers who meet the necessary qualifications and compliance standards.
• To possibly be funded, Yoga Therapy would have to be delivered by an allied health practitioner, such as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or psychologist, who integrates yoga techniques into their treatment plans.
• Independent Yoga Therapists who are not recognized as allied health professionals do not qualify for direct NDIS funding.
• The focus is on evidence-based interventions that align with participants’ functional goals, which must be delivered by regulated health professionals.
• More resources here: What does NDIS fund? | NDIS

Challenges for Practicing Yoga Therapists:

For many Yoga Therapists who have trained extensively, the restrictions under the NDIS create significant barriers. Yoga Therapy itself cannot be funded or accessed through the NDIS. However, support workers or caregivers who are also Yoga Therapy qualified may offer yoga-based activities to clients during their care hours. This means that while the full scope of Yoga Therapy is not recognised under NDIS funding, Yoga Therapy-trained caregivers can integrate aspects of it into their general care, albeit under the regulated fee structures for support workers.

This approach still presents challenges:

• Regulated Fee Structures: Support work under NDIS comes with regulated fee caps, which often do not reflect the additional training and expertise of a Yoga Therapy-qualified caregiver.
• Role Limitations: Offering yoga as an activity within a support worker role may not provide the same depth and individualised care that a dedicated Yoga Therapy session would typically offer.

As a result, independent yoga therapists are limited in delivering the full therapeutic benefits of Yoga Therapy within the NDIS, and participants may not fully experience the personalised and long-term benefits.

Exploring Opportunities

Despite these challenges, there are paths forward:

• Collaboration: Yoga Therapists can collaborate with registered allied health professionals who are able to incorporate yoga therapy as part of a broader treatment plan. This partnership can help yoga therapists contribute meaningfully while meeting the NDIS criteria.
• Advocacy for Change: Continued advocacy is needed to raise awareness about the unique benefits of yoga therapy and push for its inclusion within the NDIS as a recognized therapeutic approach.
• Community Programs and Private Funding: Offering Yoga Therapy through community programs, private funding, or direct payment models allows practitioners to maintain control over their fees and offer a more authentic Yoga Therapy experience.

The current structure of NDIS funding creates obstacles for independent yoga therapists, but by exploring alternative pathways and continuing to advocate for recognition, there is potential to keep offering this valuable modality to those who need it. The key is to remain committed to providing support in innovative ways, ensuring that the heart of Yoga Therapy – wholistic, personalised care – remains accessible and impactful.

We don’t need to rely on government validation to affirm the value of yoga therapy. Decision-making processes can be influenced by factors beyond just evidence, and research funding for yoga often falls behind other modalities. While shortcuts may seem easier, they can compromise our integrity. The best path forward is through ethical advocacy. Instead of frustration, we can take constructive action to ensure our mission benefits everyone involved, remaining true to the principles of yoga and its transformative potential.

The most effective way to create change is to showcase our successes and demonstrate the effectiveness of Yoga Therapy through high-quality practice. Let’s continue to do good, teach responsibly, and embody the principles we cherish.

Yoga Australia is here to amplify your voice and celebrate your triumphs. We want to share your stories and support your research and initiatives. Our members create positive health outcomes every day, often for marginalized populations who need it most.

Let’s turn this challenge into a success story – yoga is already a beacon of hope! The DSS’s list of what’s in and what’s out doesn’t diminish our collective impact. While it’s wonderful when an independent body acknowledges our value, our clients’ experiences matter most.

We thrive on community, standards, and mutual support. Let’s not wait for the government to catch up; instead, let’s forge ahead. Together, we can continue to shine a light on the power of yoga therapy and advocate for the changes that matter.