Overcoming barriers: Why many patients discontinue yoga therapy - and what we can do about it
Yoga therapy has become a trusted approach for managing neurotic disorders, promising relief and improved wellbeing for many. Yet, in real-world settings, a familiar pattern emerges: a significant number of patients referred for yoga therapy never complete the recommended course. This trend isn’t unique to yoga - similar dropout rates are seen in psychotherapy and drug treatments for neurotic conditions. What’s truly surprising, though, is what actually drives these dropouts.
When looking more closely at the experiences of patients in a psychiatric outpatient clinic, it turns out that about half of those assigned to yoga therapy, yogic relaxation, or conventional drug treatment stopped attending before finishing their programs. At first glance, it might be tempting to assume that those who dropped out were less motivated, less open to yoga, or simply didn’t find the treatment helpful. However, the reality is far more nuanced and relatable.
Patients who discontinued therapy were, in most ways, just like those who completed it. They were similar in age, gender, marital status, education, occupation, and even in their initial attitudes toward yoga. The only real difference was the severity of their symptoms: people with more intense distress at the start were more likely to stick with the program, perhaps because their need for relief was greater.
What truly stands out is that most patients who left yoga therapy early didn’t do so because they were dissatisfied or saw no benefit. In fact, the majority who attended even a few sessions reported feeling better. The real obstacles were practical: busy schedules, the challenge of making repeated trips to the clinic, travel costs, and time constraints. Only a small number left to seek other treatments.
This insight turns the usual narrative on its head. Dropping out of yoga therapy doesn’t necessarily mean the treatment failed or that the patient lacked motivation. Sometimes, just a handful of sessions can provide enough relief that people feel less compelled to continue, especially when life’s logistics get in the way. For many, the benefits of yoga are real - even if their attendance isn’t perfect.
This understanding opens up a new perspective for both wellness practitioners and patients. Instead of viewing dropouts as failures, it’s more helpful to see them as a sign that practical barriers - rather than lack of benefit or engagement - are the main hurdles. This means that making yoga therapy more accessible, through flexible scheduling, remote or home-based sessions, and support for transportation, could make a meaningful difference in helping people stick with their practice.
Recognizing these real-life challenges is key to ensuring that yoga therapy has the greatest possible impact. By shifting the focus from blaming patient motivation or the therapy itself to addressing the everyday obstacles people face, the wellness community can help more individuals experience the healing potential of yoga, even if their journey isn’t linear or uninterrupted. In the end, it’s not about perfect attendance - it’s about making meaningful progress, one accessible step at a time.
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Increase Accessibility and Flexibility
Many patients discontinue yoga therapy not because of dissatisfaction, but due to practical barriers such as time constraints, travel distance, and the challenge of attending repeated sessions. Offering flexible scheduling, shorter or more frequent session options, and remote or home-based practice can help clients maintain their yoga routine even when life gets busy.
Support and Encourage Partial Participation
The evidence shows that even those who attend only a few sessions often report meaningful benefits. Practitioners should reassure clients that some participation is better than none, and celebrate small gains. This approach may help reduce the pressure of “all-or-nothing” thinking and keep people engaged, even if they can’t attend every session.
Identify and Address Individual Barriers Early
Checking in with clients about potential obstacles - like transportation, work schedules, or family commitments - at the outset can help practitioners tailor solutions. For example, practitioners could provide resources for travel, suggest online classes, or adjust session times to fit client needs, making it easier for clients to stay committed to their wellness journey.
Inspired by the research of P. Grover & colleagues, Indian journal of psychiatry, 1988
PMID: 21927394
