Dr. Jayashree Pathak

Committed to Integrative Health and Wellness

Bringing together over 20 years of family medicine practice and yoga therapy experience, I currently serve as a Yoga Therapist at the Department of Integrative Medicine, VA Hospital, East Orange, NJ.

My journey began 25 years ago with a piece of wisdom from a yogi close to home, my father-in-law, who envisioned yoga as a vital wellness tool alongside modern medicine. Inspired, I pursued a diploma in yoga education and a postgraduate diploma in yoga therapy for doctors from Kaivalyadhama and SVYASA, two of India's premier yoga institutions.

Since 2001, I have provided yoga therapy to patients, aiding their recovery and well-being. One memorable case involved a 3-year-old girl with a debilitating ailment. Engaging her in yoga was a challenge, but after therapy, her symptoms and medication needs were significantly reduced, a testament to the power of yoga.

In 2015, after moving from India to the USA, I refreshed my medical education and became ECFMG certified, enabling me to pursue Medical Residency in the USA. However, my passion for yoga therapy prevailed, leading me to volunteer at the VA Hospital, East Orange, NJ (VANJ), starting with just one patient.

I created and implemented a Medical Yoga Therapy (MYT) program at VANJ, which grew from 1 to over 370 participants and 2800 encounters annually. I also used Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)* based form to measure participant feedback, demonstrating significant improvements in patient well-being across various domains. This feedback has been presented at numerous yoga therapy and integrative medicine conferences.

Studying under two of the best Gurus in yoga and Sanskrit at top yoga institutes in India, I have delved into the Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Bhagavad-Gita, and numerous yoga texts and modern research papers. My approach to yoga therapy is scientific, evidence-based, and underpinned by a safety-first mantra. My yoga therapy is participant-centered, focused on enhancing well-being, and devoid of complex Sanskrit terms and religious affiliations.

Serving those who have given their all for our country has been a privilege of my life. With 10 years of VA experience, I am now eager to deliver the benefits of yoga and yoga therapy to a wider section of society.

*PROMIS measures are copyrighted by the PROMIS Health Organization or other individuals/entities that have contributed information and materials, and are being used with the permission of the copyright holders". This notice acknowledges the intellectual property rights associated with PROMIS measures.