Yoga Therapy: Bridging Healthcare and Yoga

What is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga therapy is the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the application of the teachings and practices of Yoga. IAYT

Yoga therapy adapts the practice of Yoga to the needs of people with specific or persistent health problems not usually addressed in a group class. Larry Payne, Ph.D

The use of the techniques of Yoga to create, stimulate, and maintain an optimum state of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Judith Hanson Lasater, Ph.D.

We do not have a health care system in America.

We have a disease-management system, one that depends on ruinously expensive drugs and surgeries that treat health conditions after they manifest rather than giving our citizens simple diet, lifestyle, and therapeutic tools to keep them healthy.

-Dr. Andrew Weil

Yoga Therapy is the Next Wave of Holistic Health-Care

Are you drawn to be a true healer of body, mind, and spirit? A YogaFaith yoga therapist can help people connect to their own innate healing potential through individually tailored yoga therapy which reaches well beyond simple conventional prescriptive approaches. Research now shows that the therapeutic benefits of yoga therapy provide not just physical benefits, but the transformative mind-body-spiritual benefits of yoga as well.

Many integrative and holistically minded MDs are already including yoga therapy as part of their medically mandated treatment plans, even billing insurance for the care provided by yoga professionals. Healing professionals who are able to offer multi-dimensional holistic care are being sought out in the private sector and accepted by the medical industry at an unparalleled pace.

What is YogaFaith Yoga Therapy

YogaFaith Yoga Therapy is the integration of yoga therapy techniques and spiritual practices. The goal of YogaFaith Therapy includes reducing, managing or eliminating symptoms that cause suffering and moving toward healing: mind, body and spirit, all while achieving oneness and union with Christ.

Next Steps:

Step 1: Fill out the Application

FILL out the Application

Step 2:

If you have already received your Letter of Acceptance, then you may register here online.

REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE

Reserve Your Spot:

These trainings sell out quickly, so reserve your spot soon.

* $500 Non-refundable deposit saves your spot—this is deducted from the immersion cost. 

RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR $500

Making a Difference: Why Yoga Therapy?

Yoga therapy is the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and wellbeing through the application of the teachings and practices of yoga. The yoga tradition views each human being as a multidimensional system that includes numerous aspects-including body, breath, and mind (intellect and emotions) and their mutual interaction.

Yoga therapy is founded on the basic principle that intelligent practice can positively influence the direction of change within these human dimensions, which are distinct from an individual’s unchanging nature or spirit. The goals of yoga therapy include improving function; helping to prevent the occurrence or re-occurrence of underlying causes of illness; and moving toward improved health and well-being.

Yoga therapists draw from the principles of yoga and the full range of yogic practices and assessment skills, as well as familiarity with biomedical and psychological foundational knowledge. Yoga therapists work with the client to develop and implement a self-empowering therapeutic plan appropriate to the client’s needs and oriented around prevention and health promotion. The practices of yoga traditionally include, but are not limited to, asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, chanting, and a disciplined lifestyle.

Yoga therapy is the appropriate application of these teachings and practices in a therapeutic context in order to support a consistent yoga practice that will increase self-awareness and engage the client/student’s Educational Standards for the Training of Yoga Therapists, energy in the direction of desired goals.

Yoga therapy also helps clients/students change their relationship to and identification with their condition. The practice of yoga therapy requires specialized training and skill development to support the relationship between the client/student and therapist and to effect positive change for the individual. Yoga therapy is informed by its sister science, Ayurveda. As part of a living tradition, yoga therapy continues to evolve and adapt to the cultural context in which it is practiced, and today, it is also informed by contemporary health sciences. Its efficacy is supported by an increasing body of research evidence, which contributes to the growing understanding and acceptance of its value as a therapeutic discipline.

A Certified YogaFaith Yoga Therapist (C-YFTH) undergoes specialized training beyond that of a yoga teacher, in accordance with YogaFaith’s Educational Standards for the Training of YF Yoga Therapists. Certified Yoga Therapists adhere to the professional ethics, guidelines, and codes relating to the practice of yoga therapy as defined by YogaFaith, committing to not making false or inaccurate claims about yoga’s therapeutic and healing capacities.

Yoga therapy may occur in the following settings:

• Individualized one-on-one yoga therapy sessions. (If the client is a child/minor, the state or other local jurisdiction laws governing the safety of children/minors are to be adhered to.)

• Group Yoga Therapy: Group Yoga Therapy is a session(s) in which a yoga therapist works with a small group of clients who have a similar condition or symptom(s), or with clients who have a variety of health or health-related conditions. A hallmark that differentiates group yoga therapy from group yoga teaching is the presence of an individual intake and assessment for each client in the group prior to commencing the class, personalization of the practice(s) based on the individual assessment, and reassessment at regular intervals throughout a series of classes.

The YogaFaith Yoga Therapy Program, YF-YTP
Length: 800 hours
Certification upon completion: C-YFTH

Our Christian Yoga Therapy program has been in the making for over 7 years. Becoming a Registered Yoga Therapist includes a highly specialized training beyond that of a yoga teacher, in accordance with YogaFaith’s Educational Standards for the Training of Yoga Therapists.

YogaFaith is dedicated to the professionally minded yoga student committed to the study of the clinical applications of yoga therapy. Graduates are prepared to design and teach Yoga Therapy and YogaFaith Therapy for groups and individuals with specific needs or health challenges.

YF-YTP combines 300-hour didactic and 500-hour clinical externship programs.

  1. Minimum admission requirements: 200 hours of teacher training or equivalent (includes yoga techniques, anatomy and physiology, yoga philosophy, teaching methodology and practicum)
  2. A minimum of one year of teaching experience, can be virtual, specifics determined by YogaFaith
  3. A minimum of one year personal practice experience, can be virtual, specifics determined by YogaFaith
  4. Has begun or has a Certificate of Completion: World Religions and Spiritual Disciplines course
  • Minimum time to complete YF-YTP: 1 year
  • Maximum: Program must be completed within 3 years of start date
  1. Level I: Our 300-hour Masters, start anytime
  2. Level 2: 300 hours On Demand, start anytime
  3. Level 3: 200 hours, Online and Live Fall 2022
  • YF-YTP Program: Level I: 300 hours, Level II: 300 hours, Level III: 200 hours
  • Level 1 300 Hours is YF Master’s Program, can be taken as a dual certification

Please note: all non-contact hours are currently counted as contact hours until further notice.

  • Where to start:
    • Level I is YF Masters and the first 300 hours (online + in person training)
      • 200 hours distantly and 100 contact hours at Master Immersion
    • Level II
      • 200 hours distantly and 100 synchronous/on demand hours
    • Level III
      • 100 hours distantly and 100 contact hours/live + virtual + in person [Graduation Retreat]
  • YF-YTP Curriculum draws upon Bhakti Lineage, the yoga of devotion. Students develop knowledge and understanding of the philosophy, theory, process, and application of Yoga therapy using the pathway of surrender, devotion, service, worship, and union with God (Jesus Christ) to eliminate or reduce suffering and ailments.
  • YF-YTP is designed to enable students to develop and deliver individualized yoga therapy sessions for one on one as well as group yoga therapy sessions.
    Includes didactic and experiential learning, practicum-based skill learning, personal and professional development through one on one and group mentorship (sangha).
  • Hours include synchronous distant learning, asynchronous online learning, and residential hours (real time learning interactions with faculty), 300 contact hours, 500 non-contact hours.

Schedule of Hours:

  • In-Person Master Immersions located either in Seattle or Atlanta
    • Start anytime: Level One Online Program
      • Level One: In Person Immersion
    • Level Two Online Program
      • Level Two On Demand online, go at your own pace with mentors and accountability group
    • Level Three: Online and Live Virtual, Oct. 2022 + Graduation Retreat Eagle Rock, MO
      • Distant/Asynchronous
      • Synchronous/Real Time Distant Learning

2023: Master’s and Yoga Therapy Schedule

  • Level One Yoga Therapy {Master’s 300 hour} Begin anytime, live calls begin online January 9, 2023
    • In Person Immersion: July 21-25, 2023, Tacoma, WA
  • Level Two Yoga Therapy: On Demand
  • Level Three Yoga Therapy: On Demand + Graduation Retreat, Eagle Rock, MO

Used in all Levels

Level 3 YF-YTP Textbooks 

The above list does not include any chosen Elective’s Textbooks as those will vary based on individual selection of Elective(s). See Elective in the Mentor and Educator Tab.

  • Estimated Textbook Cost
    1. Kindle: 139.00
    2. New: 286.00
    3. Used: 143.00
  • YF-YTP Directors, Educators and selected Mentors are a combination of Registered YF Master Trainers at the 500-hour level, R-YFMT 500, Certified Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT), YogaFaith Lead Trainer, YF-LT, Psychotherapists, Spiritual Directors, and/or PhDs – Others may be accepted based on experience determined by YogaFaith
  • Practicum Mentors have skills related to the program area they support
  • Practicum Mentors supervise, support development, and evaluate skills and abilities in respective competency categories

Faculty and Mentors

Other Course Faculty:

  • Integration of Body Systems | Yoga Therapy within Disease and Disorders
    • Gary May, Judi Murfin, Michelle Thielen, and Gil Headley
  • Yoga Therapy in Trauma, Grief, Depression and Anxiety:
    • Michelle Brinkley, Michelle Thielen
  • Ayurveda, Nutrition, Digestion and Biochemistry:
    • John Immel of Joyful Belly Ayurveda School, Rosy McCann
  • Yoga Therapy in Healthcare, Seniors, Spine, Scoliosis, Diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
    • Gary May, Judi Murfin
  • Yoga Therapy and the Integration of Thai Massage | Thai Yoga
    • Gabriela Anderson
  • YogaFaith Yoga Therapy for Cancer and Caregivers
    • Megan Steele, R-YFMT 500, YF-A
  • Child-like YogaFaith, YouthFUL YogaFaith
    • Julie Petersen, R-YFMT 500
  • Principles and Practice of Yoga in Healthcare | Interviews in Healthcare and Wellness Fields
    • Michelle Thielen, Gabriela Anderson, Judi Murfin
  • Chakra Therapy, Stone Therapy, Sound Therapy and Aromatherapy | Essential Oils in Yoga Therapy:
    • Shannon Henshaw, Gabriela Anderson
  • Pre and Postoperative Yoga Therapy and Injury Prevention
    • Jessica McCarty, Laura Burkhart
  • Restorative Yoga within Yoga Therapy
    • Jody Thomae and Michelle Thielen
  • Adaptive Yoga, Addictions, 12 Step and Recovery within Yoga Therapy
    • Michelle Thielen, Gabriela Anderson
  • Yin with Yoga Therapy
    • Michelle Thielen, MaryAnn Sander
  • A Meeting of Ancient Paths (Prerequisite for YF-YTP):
    • Phil Vestel, Rosy McCann, Amy Kuscsik, Liz Glover-Wilson, MaryAnn Sander, Michelle Thielen

October of 2022

  • Completion of all reading assignments and soul work
  • Attendance of all sessions (online/distant, live synchronous distant and residential)
  • Participation in class discussions and activities (including case studies, review sessions, practicums)
  • Demonstration of learned information throughout each level (faculty assessed)
  • Certificate of completion from World Religions and Spiritual Practices course
    • Electives are specific areas of studies that are not required and not a part of the 800 hours.
  • Passing score on quizzes, home practice assignments including soul work and integration of mentor feedback in practicum and demonstrations
  • Additional guidance and assignments until demonstration meets expected competency
  • If student fails to meet expected competency they may choose to withdraw from the program or start over

Completion of the YF-YTP concludes in a sacred graduation ceremony, certification and the receiving of a Certified YogaFaith Yoga Therapist, 800 hour, C-YFTH Certification Status and eligible to register with the Christian Yoga Association as a therapist, R-CYATH and use 800 hours towards any continued education credits needed.

2022:

If you are a YogaFaith Master student or have your R-YFMT 500 hour, you can fast track becoming a Certified YF Yoga Therapist in 2022.

2023: Master’s:

  • Master’s 300/500 hour Begins January 9, 2023
    • All group calls: 1/9, 3/13, 5/8, 7/10
    • Mentor + Small Group Calls: January through July
    • In Person Immersion: July 21-25, 2023, Tacoma, WA

Schedule:

Level 1 / Masters, 300/500 hours

Level 2, Online 300 hours

    • On Demand, Start anytime – go at your own pace.

Level 3, Virtual and In-person, 200 hours

  • Live / Online Program + In Person Graduation Retreat
    • Yoga Therapy Conclusion and Sacred Graduation Ceremony: October 21-24, 2023, Eagle Rock, MO:

2023: Master’s and Yoga Therapy Schedule

    • Level One Yoga Therapy {Master’s 300 hour} Begins January 9, 2023
      • All group calls: 1/9, 3/13, 5/8, 7/10
      • Small Group Calls: January through July
      • In Person Immersion: July 21-25, 2023, Tacoma, WA
    • Level Two Yoga Therapy:
      • On Demand, go at your own pace
    • Level Three Yoga Therapy:
      • On Demand + In Person Immersion:
        • Virtual + Graduation Retreat: October 27-30, 2023, Eagle Rock, MO