Counseling Patients on Yoga With Cultural Humility to Improve Health Equity: A Guide for Clinicians

Abstract
Over the past two decades, the number of research articles investigating yoga for health has increased substantially. This interest in yoga is mirrored in the general public, with reports of yoga engagement growing at a greater rate. Health providers remain hesitant to discuss yoga with patients due to perceptions of inadequate information or experience to appropriately counsel patients. There is a discrepancy between the general population’s utilization of yoga and the rigor of current literature. As more robust research emerges about yoga for health, mental health clinicians can prepare to discuss yoga with patients. This paper reviews types of yoga practices, an overview of current literature on yoga for mental health, and cultural factors to consider to promote health equity.
Keywords: yoga, mental health, culture, diversity, health equity