IAYT Yoga Therapy Certification
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Interested in the IAYT Yoga Therapy Certification and have more questions?
Yoga Therapy Certification
My Vinyasa Practice’s Clinical Yoga Therapy Program is designed to integrate private yoga therapy with integrative medicine. Our program combines the foundations of Yoga Therapy with a practical Clinical Yoga Therapy curriculum, enabling participants to work seamlessly with healthcare staff and clinical teams in both professional and academic settings.
The Clinical Yoga Therapy program is 1038 hours over two years and combines foundations in Yoga Therapy courses and advanced training courses. The hours also include unpaid internships in our student online yoga therapy clinic. Students can attend all lectures online synchronously or in some courses via recording.
The program is conducted online, with an in-person retreat required at the conclusion of Module 3. Retreats and graduation ceremonies are hosted every fall in central Texas.
Our program is housed on the campus of ACC at Highland in our new studio and wellness center in Austin, TX. My Vinyasa Practice is a donation-based Yoga and Yoga Therapy studio whose mission is to educate the population about the benefits of Yoga and the application of Yoga Therapy.
Program Tuition
Applicants are assigned to a cohort based on their application date. Applicants will apply, and once their application is approved, their deposit will be collected, and their payment plan will be initiated. Applicants have the option to select the standard payment plan or a lite payment plan that reduces the monthly cost while extending the term of payment.
Payment Plan Options
Payment plan options break tuition payments up over a 24-month period.
Deposit (Due Upon Acceptance):
$300
Deposits and Tuition are non-refundable. Students have the option to put a higher deposit down for a lower monthly payment or a lower deposit down for a higher monthly payment. Payment plans are initiated on the 1st or 15th of each month.
Program Scholarships
We offer a limited number of scholarships based on demonstrated need. Our scholarship program is designed to assist individuals who may face financial constraints but are passionate about pursuing the transformative path of yoga therapy.
Enrollment Options
This training prepares you to work as a Certified Clinical Yoga Therapist within a care team of medical professionals. MVP Yoga Therapy School is a Member School with IAYT, and our Clinical Yoga Therapy program is accredited with IAYT.
The first module of our Clinical Yoga Therapy Certification fulfills the requirements to level up your registration with Yoga Alliance as a 500-hour RYT.
Students enrolling with a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Certification will begin with Module 1 and must complete Modules 1, 2, and 3, totaling $9,324. To register, a $300 deposit is required, which will be applied toward the total cost.
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- Students will begin with the 300-hour training before progressing to the Applied Yoga content and Mentorship. This 300-hour training meets the requirements needed to elevate your registration with Yoga Alliance to a 500-hour RYT.
- Module 1 must be completed in its entirety, including 300 YTT content followed by Applied Yoga, before progressing to Mentorship in Module 2.
- Module 1 includes MVP’s 300-hour training and Applied Yoga course. The first module covers Subtle Bodies, Adaptive Yoga, Trauma-Informed Yoga, Ayurveda, Yoga Nidra, Yoga Therapy Applications of Pranayama, and Yoga Therapy Applications for Anxiety.
Students enrolling with a 500-hour Yoga Teacher.
All students entering the program as a 500-hour YTT will start with the Prerequisite Course. This mandatory course must be completed before beginning Mentorship, receiving a cohort assignment, and enrolling in the Applied Yoga Curriculum. There is no additional cost for the Yoga Therapy Prerequisite Course.
All transfer students will be enrolled in Mentorship (Applied Yoga Curriculum), Module 2, and Module 3. The total cost for these modules is $8,676, with a $300 deposit required to register for the program. This deposit will be applied toward the total cost.
All students, whether starting at the 200-hour level or transferring from a 300-hour program, must complete an application, be admitted to the program, and pay the deposit.
Yoga Therapy Module Overview
Module 1 | Includes:
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- 300-Hour YTT
- Subtle Bodies, Adaptive Yoga, Trauma-Informed Yoga, Ayurveda, Yoga Nidra, Yoga Therapy Applications of Pranayama, and Yoga Therapy Applications for Anxiety.
Mentorship | Includes:
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- Mentorship (Applied Yoga Curriculum)
- Students will meet monthly with their mentor and cohort. Each of the 15 monthly sessions is two hours long, for a total of 30 hours of synchronous mentorship throughout the program.
- Applied Curriculum includes reading, correlating lectures, assignments, and case studies.
- Access to weekly Office Hours for additional mentorship opportunities
Module 2 | Includes:
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- Six sessions with an MVP C-IAYT Yoga Therapist.
- Biology of Yoga, Psychology of Yoga, Marmas & Mudras, Sound Healing, Group Yoga Therapy, Yoga Therapy for Memory Loss, Yoga Therapy Interventions, Yoga for Recovery, and Pre-& Post-Operative Interventions.
- All Mentorship sessions (Applied Yoga Curriculum), Module 2 coursework, and the six sessions must be completed before a student is eligible to begin the Yoga Therapy Internship.
Module 3 | Includes:
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- Supervised Yoga Therapy Internship in the MVP Online Student Yoga Therapy Clinic
- Yoga Therapy Interns complete 50 sessions within the MVP Online Student Yoga Therapy Clinic.
- Yoga Therapy Retreat in Central Texas to be completed before graduation
Over the course of their training, Mentorship (Applied Yoga Curriculum), Module 2 and Module 3, Yoga Therapy Students are required to complete the above and the following:
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- Yoga Therapy Students must complete 33 hours of one-on-one support meetings with their cohort Mentor or another MVP Yoga Therapy Team Member.
- Yoga Therapy Students must complete 100 hours of Group Yoga Therapy Facilitation. During these sessions, Yoga Therapy Students and Interns, under supervision, lead group yoga therapy sessions. Participants receive real-time feedback from experienced trainers and peers, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.
- Yoga Therapy Students have additional opportunities to connect with MVP C-IAYT Yoga Therapists during our weekly Yoga Therapy Office Hours. The MVP Yoga Therapy team hosts three 60-minute sessions each week, providing ongoing support and guidance.
Training Requierments
Our Clinical Yoga Therapy Certification certifies yoga therapists. Admissions to our program happen four times a year. Applicants looking to register in our Clinical Yoga Therapy program must possess a 200 hour teaching certification or its equivalent, have one year of experience in personal practice, and have one year of teaching experience. All applicants entering into training with a 200 hour certification will complete all of the following coursework. Our Clinical Yoga Therapy Certification is a complement to Western Medicine in clinical settings.
Program Schedule
Summer 2025 Cohort
Applications Due: May 31st, 2025
Program Start Date: July 1st, 2025
Fall 2025 Cohort
Applications Due: August 31st, 2025
Program Start Date: October 1st, 2025
Winter 2025 Cohort
Applications Due: November 30th, 2025
Program Start Date: January 1st, 2026
Yoga Therapy Module One
Subtle Bodies
Take an in-depth look at the subtle bodies that make up the human experience. Learn how the Panchamaya Kosha system integrates with the Nadi system and parallels the meridians. Learn how the physical body is connected to the astral and causal bodies and how physical disease moves from subtle to the gross body.
Adaptive Yoga
Learn how to adapt yoga to meet the needs of special populations. In this course, you will learn how to create functional sequences and protocols for students who have mobility issues, require seated support, are confined to wheelchairs, need special modifications, are blind, or deaf.
Trauma Informed Yoga
Our trauma-informed yoga certification is both a required course in module 1 and an independent certification. In the trauma-informed yoga course, students learn the mechanisms of trauma and how trauma is stored in the body. You learn the process of pendulation, titration, and pratipaksha bhavana and how to integrate these tools into asana, pranayama, and meditation. Students who complete the program will leave with the confidence and tools to work with large groups and individuals who have experienced trauma and are looking to heal through yoga.
Ayurveda
Our Ayurveda course teaches the history and foundations of Ayurveda, giving you appropriate knowledge of the sister science of yoga. Students will understand the tattvas, the tri-doshic system, the disease process, and the mechanisms of healing. This course is intended to provide foundational knowledge for personal and professional purposes.
Yoga Nidra
Our Yoga Nidra course teaches the history, foundations, and applications of Yoga Nidra. Students will learn the mechanisms of the practice and how it works on the cognitive function of the mind. Students will be able to teach three unique styles of Yoga Nidra and will have the confidence to use this transformative tool with multiple populations.
Yoga Therapy Applications of Pranayama
In this course, students will learn the mechanisms and effects of pranayama on the physical and energetic body as it relates to mental perception. Students will learn multiple types of pranayama, contraindications, and teaching methods. Students can expect to be comfortable teaching pranayama in various settings.
Yoga Therapy Applications for Anxiety
In this course, students will learn how to leverage the tools of asana, pranayama, and pratyahara to help clients find comfort and ease in the midst of symptoms of anxiety.
Yoga Therapy Mentorship
Mentorship | 30 Hours
You will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with one of our senior teaching staff to help you develop the skills and confidence to begin working in professional clinical settings. Your mentor will help you find a work environment that will give you clinical experience as well as experience working with people one on one. This course is taught by all staff and is ongoing.
Throughout this course, which includes the Applied Yoga Therapy Curriculum, students will have the opportunity to be mentored by a C-IAYT Yoga Therapist, who will help students develop the skills and confidence needed to work in professional clinical settings. During your mentorship, students will complete 30 hours of group mentorship. Conducted through monthly sessions with assigned mentor and cohort over 15 months.
Yoga Therapy Students have additional opportunities to connect with MVP C-IAYT Yoga Therapists during our weekly Yoga Therapy Office Hours. The MVP Yoga Therapy team hosts three 60-minute sessions each week, providing ongoing support and guidance.
Yoga Therapy Module Two
Yoga For Recovery
In this course, students learn how to leverage the tools of yoga to help clients who are working through addiction. This course prepares students to work in group settings as well as one on one with clients.
Biology of Yoga
In this course, students learn the biological mechanisms found in the Nadi system and how to leverage these mechanisms to improve the energetic function of the pranamaya kosha. Students will have a clinical understanding of how medication is processed through the Nadis and how it affects various organ systems in the body.
Psychology of Yoga
Students will learn the psychological mechanisms of the brainstem, midbrain, and frontal lobe and how they respond chemically and behaviorally to trauma, interpersonal conflict, environmental stress, and grief. Students will learn practical tools to hold space for clients in clinical settings while maintaining professional integrity and scope of work.
Marmas and Mudras
Students will learn about the nadis in the body and thoroughly understand how the marma points influence them. Students will learn how to incorporate the nadis of the body and the marma points into asana and pranayama practices designed to initiate change in the body.
Sound Healing
Students will learn how frequency affects the Pancha Maya kosha system and how to use sound devices to influence and retune subtle frequencies in the body. Students will understand how these frequencies relate to the chakra system and how they can be used to foster balance in clients.
Group Yoga Therapy
In this course, students will learn how to work with groups in clinical settings and alongside psychologists, social workers, and physicians. Students will learn how to complete SOAP notes and how to create the individual protocol.
Yoga Therapy for Memory Loss
In this training, students will learn how to work with clients experiencing memory loss from traumatic brain injury or dementia and Alzheimers. Students will learn bilateral techniques to help create new neurological pathways designed to strengthen their clients’ physical and cognitive abilities.
Yoga Therapy Interventions
In this course, students will learn how to use yoga as a therapeutic intervention. Students will learn how to assess their clients, how to create a comprehensive care plan for their clients, and how to monitor progress over time.
Pre and Post Operative Interventions
Understand and possess knowledge of common pathologies requiring surgical intervention. Understand the mechanisms that manifest the pathologies within the body including general wear and tear on structural components of the body, bone loss and disk degeneration, muscular degeneration, and accidental damage. Understand how to develop practical care plans for individuals preparing for surgery or for those in recovery. Understand the Yoga Therapists scope of work in the physical rehabilitation process.
Yoga Therapy Module Three
Module 3 | 150 Hours
In Module 3, students have the option to work within our Online Yoga Therapy Clinic which is open to all MVP students across the world, or to be placed in an internship at a healthcare facility that reflects the speciality the yoga therapist-in-training is interested in working within at their place of residence if one is available.
Required Reading Materials
Books to Purchase for Mentorship
The total cost of books ranges from $50 to $80. The links above are to Amazon links, and we do not control the pricing. These books can also be found used on several resources.
Books to Purchase for Module 1
- The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” translated by Bernard Bouanchaud or Georg Feuerstein
- “The Bhagavad Gita” translated by Eknath Easwaran
- “The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice” by TKV Desikachar
- “Yoga for Wellness” by Gary Kraftsow
- “Light on Pranayama” by BKS Iyengar
- “Adaptive Yoga Moves Any Body” by Mindy Eisenberg
- “Ayurveda: The Science of Self Healing” by Dr. Vasant Lad
- “Yoga Nidra” by Swami Satyananda Saraswati
- “The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma” by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
- “In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Resources Goodness” by Peter A. Levine, Ph.D
The total cost of books ranges from $200 to $250. The links above are to Amazon links, and we do not control the pricing. These books can also be found used on several resources.
Books to Purchase for Module 2:
- “Restoring the Brain: Neurofeedback as an Integrative Approach to Health” by Hanno W. Kirk
- “The Psychology of Yoga: Integrating Eastern and Western Approaches for Understanding the Mind” by Georg Feuerstein
- “Ayurveda and Marma Therapy: Energy Points in Yogic Healing” by Dr. David Frawley, Dr. Subhash Ranade, Dr. Avinash Lele
- “Yoga and the Twelve-Step Path” by Kyczy Hawk
- “Keep your Brain Alive: 83 Neurobic Exercises to Help Prevent Memory Loss and Increase Mental Fitness” by Lawrence C. Katz
- “The Healing Power of Yoga” by Nischala Joy Devi
- “How to Heal with Singing Bowls: Traditional Tibetan Healing Methods” by Suran Shurestha
- “Mantra Yoga and Primal Sound: Secret of Seed Mantras” by David Frawley
The total cost of books ranges from $180 to $230. The links above are to Amazon links, and we do not control the pricing. These books can also be found used on several resources.
Apply Now
Are you ready to take the next steps? To submit your application, click Apply Now. If you are a 500 CYT/RYT, you will be asked to upload copies of your certificate. If you are a transfer from another Yoga Therapy Program, you will also be asked to upload your transcripts from training.
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