Accredited Yoga Therapy Training & Certification

Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Therapeutic Practice

Yoga Therapy at the Soul of Yoga Institute is designed for practitioners who feel called to explore yoga as a healing discipline. Rooted in classical yogic teachings and shaped by contemporary therapeutic understanding, this program prepares students to serve individuals and communities through integrated, compassionate practice.

Aligned with the standards of the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), our Yoga Therapy Training cultivates clinical awareness, therapeutic relationship, and a steady personal practice. Students learn within a live, interactive learning environment offered both online and in person, supporting depth, connection, and meaningful integration.

A Community Shaped by Depth and Integrity

Join a worldwide network of more than 1,550 yoga teachers trained at Soul of Yoga. Each graduate shares a foundation shaped by comprehensive study, spiritual grounding, and ethical teaching.

An Integrated Approach to Therapeutic Yoga

This accredited Yoga Therapy Training weaves Eastern yogic tradition with Western science, preparing students to work with yoga as a responsive, individualized therapeutic discipline.

World Class Mentoring

Learn within a guided mentorship environment supported by experienced faculty with deep clinical insight and lineage-based understanding. Students receive steady guidance in applying yogic tools in therapeutic contexts, building clarity and a grounded approach to working with individuals.

Healing Tailored to the Individual

Support healing across body, mind, and spirit through approaches adapted to individual needs rather than fixed protocols, allowing yoga therapy to meet each person where they truly are.

Therapeutic Practice for Complex Conditions

Learn to support people navigating physical pain, trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, addiction and recovery, chronic illness, and life transitions through thoughtful, compassionate application of yogic tools.

A Path for Dedicated Practitioners

Our Yoga Therapy Program serves practitioners who feel called to work with yoga in a therapeutic context, including:

Experienced Yoga Teachers

For yoga teachers who are ready to move beyond general classes into one-to-one or small group therapeutic work grounded in assessment, relationship, and individualized care.

Clinicians Integrating Yoga into Care

For nurses, therapists, counselors, and healthcare providers who wish to integrate yogic practices alongside their clinical training in a holistic, ethical way.

Practitioners Drawn to Transformation

For those who recognize yoga as a vehicle for deep change and feel called to support others through the process of healing and self-discovery.

Students Committed to Long-Term Study

For students who understand this work requires time, presence, and sincere self-inquiry as the foundation of therapeutic service.

The Significance of Yoga Therapy Certification

This certification reflects readiness to work with yoga as a therapeutic discipline across diverse professional and community settings.

International Standards of Training

This course meets internationally recognized standards for yoga therapy education, preparing graduates to engage with healthcare and wellness communities with confidence and integrity.

Expanded Range of Skills

You’ll be equipped to work with individuals facing layered physical, emotional, and life challenges using adaptable and therapeutically informed yogic practices.

From Teaching to Therapy

Certification supports your transition into therapeutic contexts such as private sessions, integrative care settings, and specialized work.

Lifelong Learning and Mentorship

Graduates enter a living community of yoga therapists with access to mentorship, collaboration, and continued study beyond graduation.

What Sets Soul of Yoga’s Yoga Therapy Training Apart

A Legacy of Excellence

Soul of Yoga has been recognized as an IAYT-accredited Yoga Therapy program since 2014, reflecting long-standing commitment to ethical practice and professional readiness.

An Integrated Therapeutic Framework

This training integrates philosophy, subtle anatomy, neuroscience, Ayurveda, and therapeutic application into a cohesive system of healing.

Guided Learning in Cohort

Students learn within close-knit cohorts supported by experienced faculty offering personal guidance and clinical insight.

Online and In-Person Flexibility

Students engage through online learning, in-person sessions at our Encinitas studio, or recordings, with the same level of instructional quality and mentorship throughout.

Your Path Through the Program

Most students complete the training in about two years, with the option to move at a slower pace if needed. To begin, students must have completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training and have at least one year of teaching or equivalent practice experience. Eligible students may start through the 300-hour Yoga Therapy pathway and transition into the full certification program as they continue their studies.

595 hours of foundational study focused on therapeutic application, yogic philosophy, subtle body anatomy, neuroscience-informed approaches, and professional competencies for yoga therapy practice.

155 hours of supervised case work centered on client assessment, personalized care design, documentation, and reflective inquiry within a supported learning environment.

50 hours of live mentoring supporting clinical reasoning and professional growth.

Stories of Transformation

Study with World-Renowned Faculty

Our Yoga Therapy Training Program is guided by experienced teachers, clinicians, and lineage holders whose contributions continue to influence the evolution of yoga therapy across the globe.

Nischala Joy Devi

A pioneering teacher and healer recognized for weaving yogic wisdom with compassionate, heart-centered care. Her work unites spiritual tradition with therapeutic practice to support those facing illness and major life transitions.

Leslie Kaminoff

An internationally respected educator in yoga anatomy and breath-based practice. His teaching focuses on functional movement, individualized application, and understanding breath as a central element of therapeutic yoga.

Untitled design 26

Sita Severson, C-IAYT

Director of Advanced Training at Soul of Yoga and a leading voice in integrative yoga therapy education. Her work blends Ayurveda, meditation, and therapeutic yoga into practical tools for healthcare, education, and private healing work.

Durga Leela

Founder of Yoga of Recovery® and a longtime teacher of yoga, Ayurveda, and meditation. Her approach combines clinical knowledge, personal experience, and spiritual practice to support recovery, resilience, and sustainable healing.

Reflections From Our Graduates

“Truly one of the TOP yoga schools in the world! I’ll be a student for life @ the Soul of Yoga. Grateful to have the most dedicated & wonderful staff + really well crafted trainings/events/practices.”

Anita Elliott

“The teacher training program at the Soul of Yoga has been formulated by a body of incredible human beings, each of whom has dedicated their lives to serving others and providing Yoga for the world. The program is thoughtful, effective, and gives the participants a fantastic education in the history, philosophy and practices of Yoga. The course does a great job covering each of the major modern lineages along with a look into the historical texts of the Bhagavad Gita and the Vedic traditions. The training also covers training in anatomy and physiology with specializations offered in Vinyasa, Gentle, Kundalini, and Yin yoga. I couldn’t recommend this program enough – I’m so glad I chose Soul of Yoga, and look forward to participating in many more training opportunities with them.”

Alex Turner

“Soul of Yoga brought in the most respected and renowned teachers to present their prospective modules. I don’t think there could be a better program out there. I appreciated the strong foundation in yoga anatomy that I received, as well as the grounding in yoga philosophy and traditions.”

Carol Whitehurst

“My training here was absolutely life-changing! I would recommend it to anyone interested in getting a well-rounded training. You will learn so many concepts and teachings across so many levels and be able to integrate them into your daily life, as well as your personal and professional practice. I am so grateful to have found this studio. Highly recommend!!”

Jennifer Keenan

“The training at Soul of Yoga Institute changed my life. The program is so well thought out. Ryan has put so much love and care into it. You are exposed to so many different teachings. You also have the opportunity to learn from so many amazing teachers. I truly believe this program is unlike any other. I would recommend the Soul of Yoga Institute to anyone who is curious or thinking about taking a training.”

Jessica King

Step Into Therapeutic Practice

If you feel drawn to explore yoga as a therapeutic discipline, we invite you to consider whether this training is the right next step on your journey. Learn more about the curriculum, structure, and application process to see how this path may support your growth and service.

Discover the Yoga Therapy Program

Request the program guide to learn more about the structure, requirements, and learning experience of the Yoga Therapy Training.

Please Enter Contact Info To Receive our Yoga Therapy Training Information Packet

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

*by providing your phone and email you opt in to receiving text messages and email correspondence.

Questions on the Path

Here are answers to questions that often arise when considering Yoga Therapy training as a path of study and service, including how our Yoga Therapy programs are structured and what to expect from Yoga Therapy certification.

Soul of Yoga’s Yoga Therapy Training is designed for experienced practitioners. Applicants are expected to have completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training and to bring at least one year of teaching or equivalent practice experience. Students who are still building experience may enter through our 300-hour Yoga Therapy track and transition into the full program when ready.

Because this is a long-form Yoga Therapy Training program, it’s best suited for those ready to move beyond general Yoga Therapy classes into a therapeutic scope of study. Some students begin by requesting the guide and reviewing the curriculum as a foundational Yoga Therapy course before committing to the full pathway.

If you’re researching IAYT Yoga Therapy Training programs, exploring Yoga Therapy teacher training, or searching for Yoga Therapy Training near you, our program offers a clear, standards-aligned route toward professional Yoga Therapy certification and the level of responsibility expected of certified yoga therapists.

The training is structured as a long-form, integrative program. Most students complete the curriculum in approximately two years, with up to five years available to allow for steady, sustainable learning alongside professional and personal responsibilities.

This pacing is intentional within our Yoga Therapy program, giving students time to absorb the material, practice consistently, and integrate skills in real-life application. The structure of our Yoga Therapy Training program supports steady learning without rushing, while still meeting the depth expected for professional Yoga Therapy certification.

For students planning a longer educational arc, our Yoga Therapy degree’s pathway can serve as a meaningful foundation. Many who compare IAYT Yoga Therapy Training programs also appreciate that our training supports ongoing development beyond a single course, including deeper mentorship and continued Yoga Therapy teacher training.

We offer a blended learning format. Coursework includes live online sessions, in-person intensives at our Encinitas campus, and recorded components where appropriate. This structure supports flexibility while meeting IAYT standards for synchronous learning and mentorship.

Students who opt for Yoga Therapy certification online can participate through the live digital format while still receiving the mentorship and real-time learning required for professional standards, without losing the integrity of an interactive cohort experience. Whether you’re attending online or searching for Yoga Therapy certification near you, the curriculum remains consistent across formats. This blend also supports students who want access to a structured Yoga Therapy course within an established community and clear pathway toward Yoga Therapy certification.

Yoga Therapy is a distinct professional field and is not overseen by Yoga Alliance, which focuses on yoga teacher training. Instead, Yoga Therapy programs are accredited by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). Completing an IAYT-accredited program prepares graduates to pursue the C-IAYT credential, reflecting rigorous standards in therapeutic education and professional practice.

Because of this distinction, the search for Yoga Alliance-certified yoga therapy courses can be confusing. Yoga Alliance does not credential yoga therapists; IAYT accreditation is the relevant professional standard. Soul of Yoga’s pathway aligns with that standard through and the depth expected in certified Yoga Therapy programs.

For students balancing work and family life, components of an online Yoga Therapy certification may support access and flexibility, while still meeting the live-learning requirements IAYT expects. Each required Yoga Therapy course is part of a comprehensive Yoga Therapy Training program designed to meet professional benchmarks.