Facing Unknown Medical Terms in Yoga Therapy: What to Do When You Don’t Know 

September 23rd, 2025

Yesterday, during a sample yoga therapy session with my mentor, I had an experience that really made me pause. Our volunteer student client shared multiple physical conditions that I had never even heard of. The words were new to me, medical-sounding, and frankly a little intimidating. I felt a mix of curiosity, confusion, and responsibility. How could I serve this client safely if I didn’t even know what the conditions were?

Luckily, my mentor had the knowledge and experience to guide the session. They could connect the client’s symptoms with the wisdom of yoga, choosing safe and supportive practices. But it made me wonder: what would I do if I were in a real session, on my own, without my mentor’s safety net?

Here’s what I’ve been reflecting on—and what I suggest to any yoga therapist (or yoga teacher) who finds themselves in the same situation.

1. Stay Calm and Present with the Client

The first step is not to panic. Just because you don’t recognize a medical term doesn’t mean you can’t still be supportive. Your role as a yoga therapist isn’t to treat diseases directly, but to hold space and offer safe, individualized practices that help the person find ease, balance, and connection with themselves.

Remember: you’re working with a person, not a diagnosis.

2. Ask with Curiosity, Not Authority

It’s okay to ask the client, “Can you tell me what that condition means for you, and how it shows up in your daily life?”
Often, the client can describe their lived experience more meaningfully than a textbook definition. For example, someone might say, “It means I get tired quickly and can’t stand for too long.” That gives you direct information you can work with, even if you don’t fully know the medical term.

3. Work with Symptoms and Function, Not Labels

Instead of getting stuck on the unfamiliar name, focus on:

• What movements are comfortable or uncomfortable?
  
  

• What activities are limited?
  
  

• Where is pain or restriction?
  
  

• What brings them relief?
  
  

This functional lens keeps the practice client-centered and safe, even when your medical vocabulary is still growing.

4. Know Your Scope and Boundaries

One of the most empowering things in yoga therapy is understanding your scope of practice. We are not doctors—we don’t diagnose, prescribe, or “fix.” Instead, we create supportive practices that can work alongside medical treatment.

If you’re unsure about safety, it’s always better to keep things gentle, avoid risky movements, and encourage the client to check with their healthcare provider.

5. Commit to Ongoing Learning

Every unknown word is an opportunity to expand your knowledge. After the session, write it down. Research it. Ask mentors and peers. Slowly, your vocabulary will grow, and so will your confidence.

One of my teachers once told me: “Each client becomes your teacher.” I’m beginning to see how true that is.

6. Build a Network of Support

Don’t do this work in isolation. Having mentors, colleagues, or even healthcare professionals you can consult with will make a huge difference. Yoga therapy is as much about community as it is about individual practice.

Closing Thoughts

Facing unknown medical words can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to stop you from being an effective, compassionate yoga therapist. Stay calm, stay curious, and focus on the human being in front of you. The labels may be complex, but the path forward is often simple: listen deeply, move gently, and let yoga meet them where they are.

In time, those confusing words will turn into opportunities for growth—and reminders that this work is a lifelong journey of learning.

✨ Question for Readers: Have you ever faced a situation where you didn’t know how to respond to a client’s condition? How did you handle it?