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Laura Goellner E-RYT, C-IAYT

I often get questions about the profession of Yoga Therapy so I created a course to provide some information about this emerging field within the world of Yoga.

How is this different from being a Yoga Teacher?

How much Education is Involved in becoming a Yoga Therapist?

How to become Certified through the International Association of Yoga Therapists

How Yoga Therapy Fits into Healthcare & Fills a big need in the modern world

What happens in a Yoga Therapy Session?

Read more

I often get questions about the profession of Yoga Therapy so I created a course to provide some information about this emerging field within the world of Yoga.

How is this different from being a Yoga Teacher?

How much Education is Involved in becoming a Yoga Therapist?

How to become Certified through the International Association of Yoga Therapists

How Yoga Therapy Fits into Healthcare & Fills a big need in the modern world

What happens in a Yoga Therapy Session?

There are currently almost 6,000 Certified Yoga Therapists around the world working in a variety of specializations. Yoga Therapy is the professional application of the techniques of yoga to bring about wellness, healing, or self-development.  Yoga Therapists are specially trained in working with individuals 1:1 or in specialized small group settings to meet their specific needs. Many yoga therapists are in private practice, while others are working in hospitals, doctor offices, and wellness centers.   Other Yoga Therapists work in education, teaching other healthcare professionals how to integrate the tools of yoga into their own profession for better patient outcomes & a more holistic approach to healing.

There is a growing need for Yoga Therapists to address the areas that modern healthcare is lacking. This includes the application of lifestyle changes, preventative wellness, adopting healthy habits, stress management, self-regulation, self-understanding, and creating custom yoga practices that address health concerns.

If you would like to learn how Yoga Therapy is bridging the gap between Healthcare & Wellness...Join me for this Free Course.

-Laura

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What's inside

Syllabus

Learn about yoga therapy as a personal practice as well as a professional career
Introduction
The quick version of the What, Why and How of Yoga Therapy
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides an overview of the education and specializations needed to become a yoga therapist, offering a roadmap for those interested in pursuing this career path
Explores the differences between yoga therapy and general yoga classes, clarifying the distinct roles and applications of each within the broader field of yoga
Discusses how yoga therapy integrates into healthcare settings, potentially informing healthcare professionals about incorporating yoga principles for improved patient outcomes
Examines the framework of yoga therapy, which may help learners understand its underlying principles and how it addresses individual needs
Details the process of becoming a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) through the International Association of Yoga Therapists, which is essential for professional recognition
Briefly touches on the history of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, which may be useful for those seeking to understand the field's professional development

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Reviews summary

Overview of yoga therapy profession

According to learners, this course provides a clear and insightful overview specifically for those considering Yoga Therapy as a profession. Students found the information on IAYT certification and the difference between a Yoga Teacher and a Yoga Therapist particularly helpful and practical. The course content is described as well-structured and easy to understand, offering a solid introduction to the field and what a typical Yoga Therapy session entails. Many felt it answered their questions and clarified the path forward.
Answers common questions about the field.
"It answered all the major questions I had about becoming a yoga therapist."
"Cleared up a lot of misconceptions I had about the profession."
"Helped me see the clear differences between teaching and therapy."
"All my initial FAQs were addressed thoroughly."
Provides a good foundation for beginners.
"A great starting point if you're curious about this field."
"Perfect for getting your feet wet without committing to a full program."
"Gave me the basic knowledge I needed to decide my next steps."
"It serves as an excellent foundation for further study."
Content is logical and easy to follow.
"The course is logically organized and easy to digest."
"Each module flowed well, building on the previous one."
"The structure made understanding complex information straightforward."
"Presented information in a way that was easy to follow."
Practical details about IAYT and sessions.
"The information about the IAYT certification process was invaluable."
"I appreciated learning what an actual yoga therapy session looks like."
"Understanding the specific educational path was very practical for planning."
"It clearly laid out the steps needed to pursue this career."
Course gives good insight into the profession.
"It is a great overview of the yoga therapy profession and how it differs from a yoga teacher."
"This course is a fantastic introduction for those interested in becoming a Yoga Therapist."
"It really clarified the path and requirements to become certified through IAYT."
"I learned exactly what Yoga Therapy is and is not, which was very helpful."
"Provided a solid understanding of the scope and opportunities in this field."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Yoga Therapy: A Growing Profession in Health and Wellness with these activities:
Review Basic Anatomy and Physiology
Strengthen your understanding of the human body to better understand how yoga therapy impacts physical health.
Browse courses on Anatomy and Physiology
Show steps
  • Review anatomy textbooks or online resources.
  • Focus on musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
  • Take a practice quiz on key anatomical structures.
Review 'Yoga as Medicine' by Timothy McCall, MD
Understand the scientific basis and therapeutic applications of yoga to enhance your understanding of yoga therapy.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Yoga as Medicine'.
  • Read the sections relevant to specific health conditions.
  • Take notes on key concepts and research findings.
Review 'Structural Yoga Therapy' by Mukunda Stiles
Learn how to adapt yoga practices to individual needs based on structural alignment and biomechanics.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Structural Yoga Therapy'.
  • Study the principles of structural alignment.
  • Learn how to assess postural imbalances.
  • Practice adapting yoga poses to address individual needs.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Yoga Therapy Session Plan
Apply your knowledge by designing a yoga therapy session for a specific health condition.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific health condition to address.
  • Research appropriate yoga techniques and modifications.
  • Outline a session plan with specific asanas, pranayama, and meditation.
  • Write a rationale for each chosen technique.
Practice Yoga Therapy Techniques with a Partner
Gain practical experience by practicing yoga therapy techniques with a peer.
Show steps
  • Find a partner interested in yoga therapy.
  • Take turns leading and receiving yoga therapy sessions.
  • Provide constructive feedback to each other.
Develop a Presentation on a Yoga Therapy Specialization
Deepen your understanding of a specific area of yoga therapy by creating a presentation.
Show steps
  • Choose a yoga therapy specialization (e.g., chronic pain, mental health).
  • Research the specialization and its applications.
  • Create a presentation outlining key concepts and techniques.
  • Present your findings to a small group or online forum.
Volunteer at a Wellness Center Offering Yoga Therapy
Gain practical experience and contribute to the community by volunteering at a wellness center.
Show steps
  • Identify wellness centers in your area that offer yoga therapy.
  • Contact the centers and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Assist with administrative tasks or observe yoga therapy sessions.

Career center

Learners who complete Yoga Therapy: A Growing Profession in Health and Wellness will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Yoga Therapist
The role of a Yoga Therapist involves the professional application of yoga techniques to foster wellness, healing, and self-development. This course provides insights into the differences between yoga teaching and yoga therapy, offering clarity on the educational path required to become a certified yoga therapist. You'll also gain an understanding of how yoga therapy fits into the healthcare landscape and addresses its gaps. If you aspire to become a yoga therapist, this course illuminates the landscape of the profession, and the process of certification through the International Association of Yoga Therapists.
Wellness Coach
As a Wellness Coach, your primary focus is guiding clients toward holistic well-being through lifestyle adjustments and healthy habits. This course will be helpful as it highlights the role of yoga therapy in addressing areas where modern healthcare falls short. The course provides a comprehensive overview of yoga therapy and its applications in promoting wellness, preventative care, and stress management as well as self regulation. Understanding yoga therapy's unique approach will enhance your ability to create personalized wellness plans for your clients and provide a more holisitic approach to healing.
Stress Management Consultant
A Stress Management Consultant guides individuals and organizations in developing strategies to cope with and reduce stress. This course explores how yoga therapy addresses stress management, self-regulation, and the adoption of healthy habits. Understanding the framework of yoga therapy will allow you to incorporate yoga-based techniques into stress reduction programs, offering clients a holistic approach to managing stress and improving their overall well-being. The course offers key information about yoga and how it can be used to manage stress.
Healthcare Educator
As a Healthcare Educator, you will be responsible for teaching healthcare professionals about new trends in healthcare. The course will familiarize you with the specifics of yoga therapy and its growing role in health and wellness. The course covers the specialization and education involved to become a yoga therapist. With the information from this course, you will be able to effectively educate other healthcare professionals on the benefits and applications of yoga therapy, which may make you a more knowledgeable educator.
Integrative Health Practitioner
An Integrative Health Practitioner combines conventional medicine with complementary therapies to provide comprehensive patient care. This course will give you key insights into the role of Yoga Therapy in healthcare. The course covers how yoga therapy fits into the healthcare model, how it addresses shortfalls in modern healthcare, and how it can be integrated with other healthcare modalities. This course can enhance your understanding of holistic healing modalities and enable you to make informed recommendations to patients.
Rehabilitation Specialist
A Rehabilitation Specialist assists patients in recovering from injuries, illnesses, or surgeries through customized treatment plans. The course materials describe how yoga therapy uses yoga techniques to bring about healing. With the information from this course, you will be better prepared to use yoga therapy principles to develop personalized rehabilitation programs that cater to individual patient needs. Further, you will be able to address both physical and mental wellness.
Holistic Health Practitioner
A Holistic Health Practitioner focuses on treating the whole person, considering physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The course may be helpful because it describes yoga therapy's holistic approach to healing and wellness and its bridging role between healthcare and wellness. You can learn to integrate principles of yoga therapy into your holistic practice, offering patients a comprehensive approach to healing that takes into account the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, even using therapeutic yoga techniques.
Corporate Wellness Coordinator
A Corporate Wellness Coordinator designs and implements programs to enhance employee health and well-being. The course may be useful in teaching you about incorporating yoga therapy into corporate wellness initiatives. You'll understand how yoga therapy addresses stress management, promotes healthy habits, and encourages self-understanding. You can integrate tailored yoga practices into workplace wellness programs, promoting a more holistic approach to employee health and improving productivity.
Alternative Medicine Provider
An Alternative Medicine Provider offers treatments and therapies that fall outside the realm of conventional medicine, often focusing on natural and holistic approaches. The course may be useful as it introduces yoga therapy as an emerging field within the world of yoga and its role in promoting wellness, healing, and self-development. Understanding the principles and applications of yoga therapy will broaden your toolkit of alternative medicine modalities, offering patients a gentle, yet powerful method for addressing their health concerns.
Mindfulness Instructor
Mindfulness Instructors guide students through practices that cultivate present moment awareness and reduce stress. The course may be useful as it gives insight into the ways yoga therapy addresses self-regulation and stress management. With a deeper understanding of yoga therapy's techniques, you can incorporate complementary practices into your mindfulness sessions. This course may allow you to offer a more comprehensive approach to cultivating mindfulness and promoting emotional well-being among your students.
Health and Wellness Blogger
As a Health and Wellness Blogger, you create content focused on health and wellness topics. This course may be useful for providing a deeper understanding of yoga therapy. The course also provides key insight into how it fits into the modern world, its distinctions from regular yoga classes, and what a session looks like. You can leverage this knowledge to create informative content that educates your audience about the benefits of yoga therapy and its role in overall well-being.
Health Program Coordinator
A Health Program Coordinator designs, implements, and evaluates health programs within organizations or communities. This course may be useful for enhancing your knowledge of yoga therapy as a tool for promoting health and wellness. Understanding the principles and applications of yoga therapy can help you design more effective health programs that incorporate holistic approaches to healing encouraging lifestyle changes.
Life Coach
Life Coaches help individuals identify their goals and develop strategies to achieve them. This course may be useful because it highlights the role of yoga therapy in promoting self-understanding and self-development. By understanding these principles, you can integrate yoga-based practices into their coaching sessions, empowering clients to cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness, resilience, and overall well-being.
Personal Trainer
As a Personal Trainer, you will be guiding clients to achieve their health and fitness goals through exercise and lifestyle modifications. The course may be helpful as it emphasizes yoga therapy's role in promoting lifestyle changes and healthy habits. This may assist you in incorporating yoga-based techniques into your training programs, offering clients a more holistic approach to improving their physical and mental well-being. Clients may see gains in flexibility and stress management.
Human Resources Specialist
A Human Resources Specialist manages employee relations, benefits, and well-being programs within an organization. This course may be useful for understanding how yoga therapy can be integrated into employee wellness initiatives. You can develop and implement yoga-based programs that promote stress management, self-regulation, and overall well-being among employees. The course provides key information about yoga and its positive effects.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Yoga Therapy: A Growing Profession in Health and Wellness.
Provides a comprehensive overview of yoga's therapeutic applications. It bridges the gap between yoga and modern medicine, offering evidence-based insights into how yoga can address various health conditions. It valuable resource for understanding the scientific basis of yoga therapy and its potential benefits for clients.
Focuses on adapting yoga practices to individual needs based on structural alignment and biomechanics. It provides a framework for assessing postural imbalances and designing targeted yoga interventions. It valuable resource for yoga therapists seeking to address structural issues and promote optimal alignment.

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