800-Hour Professional Yoga Therapist Program

Overview

Tailor yoga interventions to address the unique mental wellness and physical health needs of clients.

As certain mental and physical health conditions reach epidemic proportions around the globe, many people now look to ancient wisdom, as well as modern research, to find sustainable solutions to their health and well-being. Yoga therapists work at this intersection, specially designing for—and delivering therapeutic yoga to—targeted populations with specific medical or wellness needs. What results is enhanced well-being at all levels of the individual; physical, psychological, and spiritual. 

The Kripalu School for Integrative Yoga Therapy (KSIYT) offers a best-in-class 800-Hour Professional Yoga Therapist Program accredited by the International Association of Yoga Therapists. This 9-module training is offered in a hybrid (online and on campus) format. As a graduate of this 800-hour program, you will be prepared to develop and teach therapeutic yoga to groups and individuals with specific wellness needs or health challenges. (For more information on how yoga therapists make positive change in their communities, visit the KSIYT homepage.) 

Throughout the curriculum, you will gain knowledge and understanding of the philosophy, theory, process, and application of yogic postures and techniques that yoga therapy utilizes. You will learn how this profession integrates perennial yoga wisdom with contemporary teachings and research on physical and mental well-being.  

This comprehensive training is designed for you if you are a 200-hour yoga teacher eager to advance your expertise and become a field leader in offering yoga therapy to those that struggle with compromised physical and/or mental health. As a yoga therapist, you can provide your clients with more than posture modifications that accommodate health considerations. You will be able to also curate yoga protocols that more pointedly act as interventions to treat specific conditions.


KSIYT Modules

Your training will begin with Foundations of Yoga Therapy Part 1 and Part 2, two modules that provide the essential foundation for integrating the knowledge and skills required to be a Professional Yoga Therapist. (KSIYT students who started prior to 2023 should see your student agreement for required modules, their sequence, and timelines for completion.) 

Next, you will delve into the In-Depth Anatomy of Asana, learning more about a posture’s function and the body’s structure and movement. Upon successful completion of this module, you will become a 300-hour Advanced Teacher of Therapeutic Yoga, certified to teach yoga classes with a specialized focus on yoga as healing modality.  

KSIYT’s experiential curriculum promotes learning by doing. As you continue your 800-hour path to becoming a certified yoga therapist, you’ll engage in advanced courses designed to further your skills in working in medical settings, and complementary health settings and include Yoga Therapy Applied in Medical Settings; Yoga Therapy Applied in Mental Health Settings; Pranayama, Mudra, and Subtle Anatomy Applied in Yoga Therapy; and Uniting Yoga & Ayurveda. In addition, you will receive individualized mentoring from KSIYT faculty as you deliver yoga therapy sessions under clinical supervision in both the Clinical Immersion and Mentored Practicum.

Kripalu’s 800-Hour Certified Yoga Therapist Program is accredited with IAYT.

IATY Accreditation


KSIYT Information Sessions

KSIYT holds virtual information sessions on the third Tuesday of every month. These are open to anyone interested in the 300-hr or 800-hr program. You can also contact us at kripaluschools@kripalu.org or 413.448.3152. Register for the information sessions as follows: Tuesdays at 6 pm EST here.


Curriculum

Our accredited yoga therapy training program is in line with the current IAYT Educational Standards.

Prerequisite YTT Requirements
Yoga Teacher Certification Hours 
Personal Practice 1 year 
Teaching Experience 1 year 
200
Therapeutic Yoga Course Hours 
Foundations of Yoga Therapy, Part 1 103
Foundations of Yoga Therapy, Part 2 103
In-Depth Anatomy of Asana  75
If you already have the Kripalu 300-hour Advanced Teacher of Therapeutic Yoga Certificate (300 hours), start here:  
The modules below can be taken in any order once you complete the above modules:   
Clinical Immersion  50
Mentored Practicum concurrent with other modules  169
Mudra and Pranayama Yoga Therapy Applications  75
Uniting Yoga and Ayurveda 75
Yoga Therapy Applied in Medical Settings  75
Yoga Therapy Applied in Mental Health Settings  75
  800

Foundations of Yoga Therapy Part 1 (103 hours)
Foundations Part 1 provides an overview of the yoga therapy field and the methodology-specific KSIYT. You will learn the philosophical underpinnings of the evolution of yoga therapy in India and in the West, as well as a survey of the various tools used in yoga therapy, such as asana, pranayama, mudra, yoga nidra, guided relaxation, and imagery. This module will lead you through the Five-Kosha Model as an assessment tool for imbalances and aid you in developing a curriculum for a six-week group series that you can use in your community at the end of the module. In-depth training in facilitating a group experience and in Conscious Communication is covered, as well as the ethics and best business practices of teaching yoga therapy. Lastly, you will be introduced to a framework for managing your own self-development as you become more adept at delivering yoga therapy and personally experience yoga’s continual transformative nature. In summary, in this module, you will learn to

  • Design and lead a 6-week yoga therapy group series                      
  • Describe the application of yoga tools for therapeutic needs         
  • Demonstrate evaluation skills for assessing imbalances through the lens of the kosha model
  • Explain the unique methodology for practicing yoga therapy as taught by the Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy
  • Communicate consciously and effectively with clients, instructors, and colleagues
  • Choose practices to support brave space and trauma awareness and sensitivity
  • Manage the business of running a yoga therapy practice    
  • Describe the principles of a therapeutic relationship.         

Foundations of Yoga Therapy Part 2 (103 hours)
Foundations Part 2 continues the overview of the yoga therapy field begun in Foundations Part 1. You will gain biomedical knowledge relevant to the field of yoga therapy. Additionally, you will explore lifestyle-related imbalances and learn intake and assessment skills to develop a therapeutic approach to healing through yoga. Further familiarization and integration of biomechanics and somatic movement occur in this module. The development of individual sessions is a stronger focus in this module, and you will learn to translate the principles and skills of the therapeutic relationship for practice in a one-on-one setting with clients. Formal and informal assessments throughout the module provide evidence from which you, your coursemates, and faculty may gauge your student’s learning progress. You will learn to

  • Apply the KSIYT four-step process for assessment and 10-step protocol for addressing various common lifestyle-related imbalances  
  • Design individual yoga therapy protocols for various common lifestyle-related imbalances    
  • Demonstrate intake and assessments for individual sessions         
  • Apply a range of yoga practices and their therapeutic effects for common lifestyle-related imbalance
  • Explain and understand models of well-being to inform interventions, goals, and scope of practice as a yoga therapist.

In-Depth Anatomy of Asana (75 hours)
This module is a comprehensive exploration of physical asana as it relates to the practice of yoga therapy. With instruction in concepts of motion as well as advanced study of anatomy and physiology, you will learn

  • To assess for structural imbalances and design an appropriate yoga therapy session to bring balance to the body
  • Asana modifications for physical limitations and other considerations
  • How to devise a class series for diversely bodied populations and present your protocol with feedback and support from peers and faculty.

You’ll return home from this onsite training with a more in-depth understanding of asana and anatomy ready to support a variety of body types and abilities with yoga therapy; and you will be able to assemble asana plans that meet your clients’ individual needs and support their growth and development over time. From this module, you will be able to understand human anatomy and physiology as it related to the work of a yoga therapist; understand the bio-mechanics and movement as it related to the work of a yoga therapist; design asana protocol for diverse body types; assess for common muscular-skeletal imbalances and apply appropriate tools of yoga; and describe subtle anatomy and its applications in yoga therapy through the lens of the koshas. 

Clinical Immersion (50 hours) 
Clinical Immersion is the first step to delivering yoga therapy sessions under the guidance of a clinical team. This 6-day on campus training consists of 25 hours of yoga therapy delivery and 25 hours of mentoring and skill building.

The Yoga Therapy delivery hours will include client intake, identifying priorities, and creating a therapeutic yoga session—taking into consideration the assessment of the client’s conditions, limitations, possibilities, expectations, and aspirations.  

The mentoring hours will include case study debriefs, feedback, and skill building in relation to intake, assessment, SOAP notes (providers notes in a client’s chart), yoga tools, and applications. Once this is complete the next step is to deliver yoga therapy in your community under the guidance of a mentor in the Mentored Practicum. 

Mentored Practicum (169 hours)  
The Mentored Practicum is a distance-learning model in which you will deliver yoga therapy in one-on-one and group sessions. Upon registration for this practicum, you will be paired with a mentor—all mentors are experienced yoga therapists and graduates of the 800-hour Professional Yoga Therapist program —who help guide you through the module clinical coursework via email, telephone, video conference, or in-person meetings if your mentor lives in close proximity to you. 

The Mentored Practicum is comprised of 169 total hours, divided between practicum delivery and practicum mentorship hours. As required by the International Association of Yoga Therapists, 150 hours must come from the delivery of yoga therapy: one-on-one and group yoga therapy sessions in real-time. 

Click here to pre-enroll for the practicum.

Students may enroll after the successful completion of the Clinical Immersion.

  • Yoga Therapy Applied in Medical Settings (75 hours) 

In this module, you will gain basic knowledge of many of the more common manifestations of disease in the West, including metabolic syndrome and diabetes, autoimmune disorders,  respiratory illnesses such as asthma and COPD, and Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. This overview, guided by medical experts, is followed by sessions devoted to the use of therapeutic yoga tools and applications to promote well-being. Using case studies and live demonstrations, you gain a thorough understanding of the scope of practice for yoga therapy in medical settings while learning how to navigate the world of Western medicine as an alternative wellness practitioner. By the end of this module, you will be able to access and utilize research as it relates to the field of Yoga Therapy and create a session based on this knowledge.  

  • Yoga Therapy Applications Within the Mental Health Field (75 hours)

This module explores the application of yoga therapy in the mental health field examining all-too-common conditions such as depression, anxiety, and addiction. You will learn from experts blending yoga philosophy, western psychology, and best practices to understand the conditions of the mind. Polyvagal theory will be introduced as a neurophysiological approach to the qualities (guna) of the mind. You will learn assessment tools to enhance nervous system regulation, for a variety of mental health conditions. Using case studies and experiential practice you will engage with the material through intellectual discourse and embodied learning.  

  • Pranayama, Mudra, and Subtle Anatomy Applied in Yoga Therapy (75 hours)

This module builds from the introduction to pranayama and subtle anatomy laid out in Foundations of Yoga Therapy Parts 1 and 2 and explores pranayama and the realm of subtle anatomy with more depth and breadth. You will learn to navigate the nadis, chakras, and prana vayus of the body, as well as how to incorporate mudras into your yoga therapy consults. Additionally, you will be instructed in an advanced pranayama practice as it relates to the work of a yoga therapist. Course content is woven between didactic instruction and experiential practice so that you come away with a strong understanding in body and mind of the inner workings of pranayama, mudra, and subtle anatomy and how to work with each to assist with correcting imbalances at all levels of the koshas.

  • Uniting Yoga and Ayurveda​ (75 hours)

This course deepens your knowledge of the relationship between yoga and Ayurveda, with classes focused on cultivating prana (life force), agni (inner fire), and ojas (vigor). While here, you participate in daily sadhanas, carve silent time for self-study, and integrate your skills in insightful supervised practicums. You will:

  • Explore the relation between panchamayakosha and the eight limbs of yoga as they relate to Ayurveda.
  • Learn key postures, breathing practices, and meditation techniques for balancing the doshas (psychophysical constitutions).
  • Experience the different movements of prana, including prana, udana, samana, apana, and vyana.
  • Cultivate useful Ayurvedic tools to adjust yoga class sequencing and personalize private sessions based on the season, time of day, season of life, and basic doshic imbalances.

Once accepted into the 800-Hour Professional Yoga Therapist Program, you will be eligible to sign up for the below upcoming modules that are now open for registration. Students can complete the KSIYT 800-Hour Yoga Therapist track in 2 years but have up to 3 years if needed. (Additional extensions may be approved on a case-by-case basis.) 


Dates and Costs

Download the full 2023-2025 calendar here.
 

View Trainings

*Though Kripalu does not anticipate date changes to our programs, Kripalu reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or modify dates of any program or service. See our Terms and Conditions of Sale for more information. Dates listed for 2024 and 2025 are tentative at this time.

Student and Faculty Testimonials

Student Trishan H.

As a yoga therapist, I get to be part of someone’s healing journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

for the 800-Hour Professional Yoga Therapist Program

We hope the following FAQ answers your questions, but if not, contact us at kripaluschools@kripalu.org or 800.848.8702.

Do I need a 200-hour yoga teacher certificate to apply for this training?
Yes, a 200-hour yoga teacher certificate is a prerequisite for this training. Additionally, this KSIYT 800-Hour track requires 1 year of yoga teaching experience as well as a year of personal sadhana practice.  

Does my 200-hour yoga teacher certificate have to be from the Kripalu School of Yoga? 
No, we accept 200-hour yoga teacher certificates from all traditions, as long as the school is registered with Yoga Alliance.

Are KSIYT programs eligible for scholarships?
KSIYT programs are not currently eligible for Kripalu Scholarships.

Do KSIYT modules count toward Kripalu School of Yoga’s 300-Hour or 1000-Hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training, or the Kripalu School of Ayurveda’s 300-Hour Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher Training?
No, KSIYT modules only count toward the respective 300-Hour Advanced Teacher of Yoga Therapy Training or the 800-Hour Professional Yoga Therapist Program.

Can I take In- Depth Anatomy of Asana prior to taking Foundations of Yoga Therapy Part 1 and Part 2?
No, you must take Foundations Part 1 and 2 in order, prior to taking In- Depth Anatomy of Asana.

Can I transfer credits from other trainings?
Yes, you can take the Kripalu School of Ayurveda’s (KSA) Uniting Yoga and Ayurveda 75-hour module that is part of KSA’s 300-Hour Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher Training track in place of KSIYT’s Embodying the Principles of Ayurveda in Yoga Therapy 75-hour module.

Is the  KSIYT 800-Hour Professional Yoga Therapist Program registered with the International Association of Yoga Therapists?
Yes, the training program is currently accredited under the Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy.

What do I need to apply?
You will need a copy of your 200-hour yoga teaching certificate or Yoga Alliance RYT registration card as well as one year of teaching experience and one year of personal practice.

How long do I have to complete this training? 
The 800-Hour Professional Yoga Therapist certificate training has minimum of two years and a maximum of three years to complete. Extension applications can be made available on a case-by-case basis.  

Apply

Applications for the 2024 KSIYT 800-Hour Professional Yoga Therapy Program is currently open. Applications are received on a rolling basis. Contact kripaluschools@kripalu.org or call 413-448-3505 with questions.

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