Yoga, Spirituality & Ancient Wisdom Leadership & Collective Transformation

How Yoga Therapists Change Lives

Recently, I reached out to a few Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy (KSIYT) alumni to understand how the program has shaped their journeys beyond the 800-hour yoga therapy training. Each story revealed a common thread: the training they received continues to influence not only their professional paths but also the meaningful roles they play in their communities. From working with incarcerated individuals to leading hospital initiatives, these alumni described KSIYT as more than just a learning experience—it was a foundation for confidence, leadership, and service. Their stories offer a glimpse into how KSIYT’s lessons extend far beyond its duration, equipping students and alumni with tools they actively apply in real-world settings every day.

Why did you take the KSIYT training?

Carrie Avirett

Carrie Avirett’s path into healing work is rooted in her own lived experience navigating complex health conditions. This journey led her to practices that honor the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. Through Yoga and Ayurveda, she found not only relief but a meaningful framework for care that now guides her work with individuals facing life-altering experiences. Her studies at Kripalu and KSIYT have been foundational in shaping her approach as a Yoga Therapist. This training is reflected in her ability to offer compassionate, adaptive, and trauma-informed care.

Stu Graff

Initially, Stu Graff took the training for himself. “I first delved into the Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy (KSIYT) program seeking personal healing in mind, body, and spirit. As I moved through the training, the richness and depth of the work led me to continue, with a growing desire to offer these principles to others.”

Monica Le Baron

Monica Le Baron’s time in the KSIYT program at Kripalu was truly transformative. “Kripalu is a beautiful and nurturing space that invites you to go inward while fully embodying the teachings of yoga in everyday life.” She says that living on campus made it easy to integrate the practice—through mindful eating, rest, and connection.

Monica also expressed pride and gratification with the diversity at Kripalu. “What made the experience especially meaningful was the diversity of people I met—individuals from all over the world, each at different stages of life, coming together with a shared intention of growth and healing.” She stated that it created a rich, supportive environment that deepened both her personal practice and professional path.

How are you using your KSIYT training?

Carrie

Carrie’s work spans diverse clinical settings. At the University of Maryland, she supports individuals in opioid addiction and recovery through yoga therapy focused on nervous system regulation and resilience. She also works within the Baltimore Detention Center, offering trauma-informed practices in recovery spaces, and at Sinai Hospital, where she supports pediatric oncology patients with gentle, individualized care. In addition to her clinical work, Carrie manages a mindfulness studio in Baltimore, where she leads public classes, workshops, and teacher trainings. Across all settings, her work bridges Eastern wisdom with Western medicine, emphasizing safety, empowerment, and connection while supporting individuals in cultivating balance and regulation.

Stu

Stu uses his KSIYT training “directly in my work with clients who come to me for healing as a yoga therapist. I also apply these principles in group settings and working with various organizations, helping people manage stress, reconnect with their bodies, and develop greater resilience and understanding of themselves.” He has learned to “see people through a yogic lens—recognizing the different layers of their being and how bringing those layers into balance can lead to greater harmony and a fuller, healthier life.” This perspective continues to guide Stu’s work with individuals and groups, and it’s a foundation he plans to keep building on in the years ahead.

Monica

Since completing the program, Monica says she began leading workshops and programs centered on mindfulness and stress management. These experiences allowed her to translate the teachings of yoga therapy into accessible, real-life tools that people could immediately apply. “It was the foundation that helped me evolve from teaching practices to facilitating transformation.”

Today, she integrates her KSIYT training into her work as a sleep coach and wellness consultant. She supports both individuals and organizations through programs focused on sleep optimization, stress management, and anxiety reduction. “A key part of my work is helping clients ‘complete the stress cycle’ using evidence-based yoga therapy tools—blending breathwork, mindfulness, and practical lifestyle strategies. This approach allows my clients to not only understand stress, but to release it in a sustainable and empowering way.”

Looking ahead, Monica plans to expand her impact by teaching and mentoring other students and practitioners who want to integrate yoga therapy into their work.

She is also passionate about bringing these tools into more accessible systems, including Medicaid-supported programs—particularly in the areas of sleep health and diabetes management. “My vision is to bridge holistic wellness with clinical and community-based care, making these life-changing practices available to those who need them most. And to bridge together art and yoga therapy tools for relaxation and healing.”