Yoga Therapist

Yoga Therapist: This is a new field, in some respects; in other respects, it is what yogis have been offering their individual students since the first sages began practicing thousands of years ago.

To check out the program I am studying look here:   Essential Yoga Therapist Training

Many of these areas of study listed below are already part of what many of us as yoga teachers have studied and practiced.  The areas that are new to us will have a general minimal competency level required for completing the certification.  What else? That implies the beginning of a life-long engagement with these all the areas of these teachings that are quite literally centuries old.
The comprehensive nature of Yoga Therapy is this:  Yoga IS a full spectrum approach to health.  Is is meant to access the fullest potential for each person, on all levels.  We know it instinctively, I think: your can heal your shoulder or back but will you be at ease and in charge of your full energy and vitality if your heart and mind are not settled? Can you access calm, clear, alert energy at just about any moment you want to?

Yoga Therapy is meant to help clear away any obstacles to healing that directly or indirectly interfere with your health and wellness.  Yoga therapy is meant to add in practices, perspectives or attitudes that will contribute directly or indirectly to feeling better, feeling GREAT!

The course of study is as follows:

Module 1: Yoga Therapy for Musculoskeletal Conditions
•           Overview of Yoga Therapy based on the Pancha Maya Kosha Model and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
•           Introduction to the Autonomic Nervous System and the Stress Syndrome
•           Functional Anatomy from a Fascial/Connective Tissue Model
•           Posture/Gait Analysis
•           Detailed information on common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system
•           Experiential practices addressing common structural issues employing various techniques including: Viniyoga Principles to breath, sequencing and adaptation;  Iyengar principles of alignment, use of props and restoratives; Yoga Nidra
•           Introduction to Ayurveda as applied to Yoga
•           Record Keeping, SOAP notes, Intake, Interviewing Skills

Module 2: Yoga Therapy for Emotional Health
•           Overview of Emotional Health from the Yoga Tradition
•           The 7 Emotional Primes and the Vagus Nerve
•           Orienting the tools of yoga for emotional balance including: asana, pranayama, mantra, mudra, meditation, bhavana, prayer and ritual
•           Kriya Yoga for Emotional Health
•           Pancha Maya Kosha, Vayus, Human Energy System and Chakras
•           Anatomy of the Brain
•           Cognitive and Ego development
•           Integration of yoga with western psychology and neuroscience
•           Role play and skill building for working with clients
•           How to deal with “difficult” clients
•           When to refer
•           Memory and Learning Styles
•           Ayurveda and the Mind
•           Nutrition, digestion and detoxification for the mind
•           Psychological personalities and the doshas
•           Spirituality, Faith and Religion in the Context of Yoga Therapy

Module 3: Yoga Therapy for Physiological Conditions
•           Overview of the Pancha Maya to understand Physiologic Connectivity
•           Linking the Emotional Body, Immune System and the Nervous System
•           Ayurvedic sub-doshas; dhatus; digestion
•           Ayurvedic physiology linked to specific conditions
•           Prevention from an Ayurvedic perspective
•           Physiology of Digestion and Common Pathologies
•           Immune Function and Common Pathologies
•           Circulatory System and Common Pathologies
•           Respiratory System and Common Pathologies
•           Nervous System and Common Pathologies
•           Women’s Health, Reproduction and Endocrine System and Common Pathologies
•           Addressing Common Physiologic Conditions through  the Tools of Yoga

Module 4: Clinical Practice Immersion
•           Supervised clinical practicum with real clients
•           Developing curriculum for group classes for specific conditions
•           Business development, networking and referrals
•           Weaving Yoga Therapy into your existing clinical practice
•           Developing yoga research protocols and learning to evaluate research studies with discernment

In between the modules students will be engaged in clinical practice with close supervision from their faculty mentors.  Reading and homework assignments for each module will further supplement and support the learning process.  Short exams will follow each session to ensure competency and understanding of basic principles.
Full participation in all four modules is required for successful completion of the program.

425-222-6350   www.essentialyogatherapy.com