The recent years of war, and to a large extent the prolonged struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic that preceded them, have significantly increased the emotional and professional burden on medical teams. At the same time, there has been a growing need for broader therapeutic responses for patients dealing with chronic illness, pain, trauma and stressful situations. This understanding led to a partnership between Hillel Yaffe Medical Center and the Israeli Yoga Teachers Association, and this conference marks the first step in a joint effort to develop mind-body approaches within the public health care system.
The conference presented yoga therapy as a therapeutic discipline based on an emerging body of research evidence and integrated into the field of integrative medicine both in patient care and in bolstering staff resilience. Current research was presented on the effects of yoga on nervous system regulation and on reducing stress, pain and post-traumatic symptoms, alongside practical experience from integration of yoga therapy in hospitals. The discussion highlighted the unique nature of yoga therapy as a therapeutic approach that places the human connection at its center, emphasizing an equal, respectful relationship with the patient's active participation in the therapeutic process.
Panel experts at the Yoga Therapy Conference at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center
Keren Horowitz, Director of Human Resources at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, who initiated and served as the facilitator of the conference, noted in her opening remarks that the health care system is not only concerned with treating patients, but also with addressing the ongoing emotional and physical burden carried by the staff. According to her, the expectation of sustained availability and professionalism requires the organization to provide health care practitioners with tools to boost resilience. Yoga therapy, she emphasized, returns attention to the health care practitioner’s body and mind, and contributes both to staff wellbeing and to the quality of care provided to patients.
Roni Shir, CEO of the Israeli Yoga Teachers Association, which represents approximately 2,000 yoga teachers, noted that an extensive survey conducted by the association about three years ago found that in leading countries around the world, yoga therapy has already been integrated into hospitals, clinics and the community as a health-supporting service. She further added that the association is leading an in-depth professional process to clearly define the field of yoga therapy and establish standards for therapist training. To date, approximately 250 yoga therapists in Israel have been trained according to these criteria.
Prof. Merav Ben Natan, Director of the Academic School of Nursing at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, presented innovative research that examined the impact of yoga practice on hospital staff, with emphasis on the recent periods of conflict. The findings demonstrated a direct link between yoga practice and improved coping with stressful situations, and emphasized that integrating yoga practice into the organizational framework contributes significantly to staff resilience compared to those who do not practice yoga.
The closing panel shared far-reaching insights regarding the challenges and opportunities in integrating yoga therapy into the health care system. Panelists emphasized that the field has not yet been recognized as part of the complementary medicine services, and that continued research, regulation and implementation efforts are necessary to establish standards, expand professional recognition and make yoga therapy more accessible to patients.
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