At the Yoga Therapy Institute we have developed a world class framework that transforms yoga teachers into accomplished, accredited Yoga therapists. Learn about the 7 steps from Teacher to Therapist. Find out what skills and knowledge you learn in the Yoga Therapy Institute’s Accredited Yoga Therapy Certification.
Many yoga teachers reach a point in their teaching journey where they realise that teaching general group classes has its limitations. They are passionate about Yoga and have personally experienced the benefits of Yoga. They know that Yoga can help others. They feel that there is a deeper way of working with their students so they can really make an impact but they are unsure how to go about it. They also want the skills to work safely and effectively with students experiencing health challenges and the skills to work 1 to 1 with clients.
This is where yoga therapy training comes in.
From Teacher to Therapist: 7 Steps to Success
As you progress from Yoga teacher to Yoga therapist, you will go through 7 stages. At each stage you will develop specific skills and knowledge.
- PRESENCE: Develop professional therapeutic relationships
- PAIR: Integrate Yogic wisdom with clinical knowledge
- PROFILE: Assess the client holistically
- PERSONALISE: Tailor practices for individual needs
- PRACTICE: Refine skills alongside an expert mentor
- PARTNER: Collaborate with healthcare professionals
- PROMOTE: Market your yoga therapy service
(Step 1) PRESENCE: Develop professional therapeutic relationships
The first key skill you need to learn is how to develop a professional therapeutic relationship with your client.
To be an effective yoga therapist you need to have excellent communication, counselling and therapeutic relationships skills. You will learn the skills to create a space where the client feels seen, safe and supported.
The therapeutic relationship is a key factor in one to one client work. In fact, the relationship between the client and the yoga therapist actually is part of the intervention. These skills need to be learned. They are not innate.
In a one to one setting, clients often open up and big things can come up. They may share their struggles – physical, mental, and emotional. You might hear about a client’s relationship troubles, grief after a death, an experience of trauma or abuse or a serious medical diagnosis.
When this happens a yoga teacher may feel overwhelmed and unsure how to respond.
There are four main factors that make up effective therapy. A huge 30% of these factors comes down to the relationship between the client and the therapist.
Some of the essential skills that Yoga therapy trainees learn during our Yoga therapy training are below.
Learn Therapeutic Relationship Skills so you can –
- Communicate effectively with clients
- Build trust and rapport
- Respond safely and appropriately when a client discloses distress or trauma
Create a Safe Therapeutic Space so you can –
- Establish a constructive and supportive therapeutic relationship
- Create and maintain a physically and emotionally safe space
- Hold space without being distracted by personal issues or anxieties
Learn about Professional Boundaries & Ethical Practice so you can –
- Maintain clear personal and professional boundaries
- Avoid becoming over-involved or burnt out
- Refer on appropriately when a client needs support beyond your scope
So, no, you don’t need to be a qualified counsellor to be a yoga therapist. The approaches are complementary and distinct.
As Sal Flynn, leading Yoga therapy educator explains, “Working with clients begins with a trusting and respectful therapeutic relationship that places the client at the centre of the process.”
(Step 2) PAIR: Integrate Yogic wisdom with clinical knowledge
Both Yogic foundations and biomedical knowledge are fundamental skills that you learn during our Yoga therapy training.
Yogic Foundations
Yoga therapists need a comprehensive understanding of the principles and philosophies of yoga. Yoga is the philosophical base from which we draw. These philosophical underpinnings differentiate yoga therapy (and Ayurveda) from all other modalities. Yoga therapists draw on their understanding of the scriptures and sutras and yogic and Ayurvedic concepts, such as, the koshas, the vayus, the gunas, the chakras, the doshas and so on.
In addition, medical and clinical knowledge is essential and must be integrated with Yogic wisdom.
Learn Clinical & Professional Skills so you can –
- Apply the principles and philosophies of yoga therapeutically in clinical work
- Develop specialised knowledge about common injuries and illnesses
- Work safely with clients who have complex medical conditions
- Make ethical decisions in challenging client situations
- Follow legal and professional standards in therapeutic practice
- Know your scope of practice – understand what you can and cannot do
Yoga therapists require specialised skills and knowledge about specific illnesses and injuries but this isn’t a medical degree, so you won’t be learning about every condition and illness. Instead you learn about a range of conditions and illnesses affecting the major systems of the body and you will learn how to address a client’s needs when they come to you with complex conditions or a serious medical diagnosis.
You will also learn how to conduct effective research into medical conditions so that you have a process to follow when you have a client with a medical condition that you aren’t familiar with.
(Step 3) PROFILE: Assess the client holistically
Before designing a program, a yoga therapist must truly see the whole person and all aspects of their being.
A systematic approach to assessment ensures that the yoga therapist doesn’t miss an important piece of information. Assessment skills are critical in yoga therapy.
Assessment is an ongoing process. The yoga therapist will conduct an initial client interview and an initial assessment. Every session they will continue to assess the client’s needs and this will continue to inform the evolution of the client’s yoga therapy program.
Learn Holistic Assessment Skills for Yoga Therapists so you can –
- Assess physical function, including range of motion, gait, and pain levels
- Evaluate aspects of the client’s mental, emotional, energetic, and spiritual wellbeing
- Use yogic and Ayurvedic frameworks, such as, koshas, vayus, doshas, gunas to guide assessment
- Interpret the impact of medical conditions or diagnoses on movement, breath, and daily life
- Assess lifestyle influences on health, including work, relationships, stress, sleep, and routines
A comprehensive, holistic approach to assessment is one of the distinguishing features of yoga therapy and a central reason for its effectiveness.
(Step 4) PERSONALISE: Tailor practices to meet individual needs
When you reach step 4, you will draw on all of the skills gained in the previous three stages. You will learn to tailor the tools of yoga to develop an empowering, therapeutic program that meets the goals and needs of the client.
The tools of Yoga include, yamas and niyamas, asana, pranayama, meditation, relaxation practices, mantra, mudra, bandha and, bhavana.
Learn to Design a Personalised Practice so you can –
- Tailor practices for individual needs, rather than relying on general group-class sequences
- Create progressive, personalised Yoga therapy programs that evolve over time
- Track client progress and outcomes so you can make adjustments as their needs change
- Apply evidence-informed practices, integrating current research into program design
- Have confidence in the practices you have chosen for your client.
When done well, the yoga therapy program is both client-centred and highly effective.
(Step 5) PRACTICE: Refine skills alongside an expert mentor
During our yoga therapy training you will learn what to do but also why you are doing what you are doing. Practice is critical so you can really embody and embed your new yoga therapy skills. To support you during this process, mentoring is vital during and after the training.
You will work on real case studies, which will help you build your confidence to work with anyone regardless of their health condition.
Each of our experienced teachers and mentors have worked in clinical and therapeutic contexts for decades.
Having experienced mentors means you have someone to turn to when you face challenges in your work as a yoga therapist. Mentoring and supervision is vital to assist with your growth and development. Having the support from a professional mentor is invaluable when the inevitable challenges come up with your clients.
During our Yoga therapy training you will receive personalised feedback from the teachers as you learn each new skill. After the training modules are complete, you will put your new skills into practice as you start to see clients. You can join our mentoring program. The teachers will work with you collaboratively as you develop your skills and confidence as a Yoga therapist.
(Step 6) PARTNER: Collaborate with healthcare professionals
Yoga therapists are skilful, complementary therapists who work collaboratively in health care settings. Our Yoga therapy graduates work in cancer hospitals, psychiatric wards, physiotherapy practices or natural therapies clinics and are highly respected by their professional colleagues.
Learn to Partner with Healthcare Professionals so you can –
- Communicate effectively about yoga therapy and how it complements what they provide
- Understand and use appropriate clinical terminology and protocols
- Collaborate confidently as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Having an accredited yoga therapy certification under your belt signals that you are serious about your role. It positions you as a professional who:
- Has completed rigorous education
- Can explain and justify your approach
- Works within an ethical and clinical framework
- Has the ability to collaborate with other health providers
It boosts your credibility and it increases your confidence and capacity to assist your clients in healthcare.
(Step 7) PROMOTE: Market your Yoga Therapy Services
Finally, you will learn how to promote your new skills. Learn important skills including how to acquire clients and client retention strategies.
Learn How To –
- Craft your offerings and decide on a pricing strategy
- Define a niche and area of specialisation
- Build a referral network
- Gain work in clinical settings, such as, aged care facilities, hospitals, drug and alcohol clinics or a physiotherapy clinic
You will refine your services over time.
COMMUNITY
Join our vibrant community of yoga therapist so you can find ongoing support, inspiration and opportunities for ongoing professional development.
After You Complete Our Yoga Therapy Training You Will:
- have complete confidence in your yoga teaching in any setting
- have a sense of relief that you know what you are doing
- be able to help more people and make a difference
- help your clients experience tangible results from your new-found skills and knowledge
- feel excited and proud of the results your clients experience
- have the skills to seeing individual yoga therapy clients, offer therapeutic groups and work in clinical settings
- learn the skills to effectively market your diverse offerings so you can earn more
- feel excited that you have a sustainable, fulfilling career doing what you love!
There is nothing more deeply satisfying than when you know what you are doing and you are confident that you can make a difference in the lives of others.
Ready to take the next step?
Discover how our Accredited Yoga Therapy Certification can lead to a sustainable, purpose-driven career as an accredited Yoga therapist.
👉 Learn more about Yoga therapy training HERE.
Author:
Trina Bawden-Smith is the founder and director of the Yoga Therapy Institute, which has trained over 420 Yoga therapists. She has been overseeing the development of the Yoga Therapy Institute’s Accredited Yoga Therapy Certification since 2012, has conducted 8 Yoga therapy conferences and directed numerous professional development programs for Yoga therapists and Yoga teachers since 2003.