Pharmacology 101 for Yoga Therapists

February 24-25, 2027 (In Person & Live Stream and via recording)

Yoga therapists routinely work with people who take prescription medications, manage chronic health conditions, and navigate increasingly complex healthcare plans. Yet pharmacology is often an area where yoga professionals receive little formal education.

Pharmacology 101 for Yoga Therapists bridges that gap.

This practical course introduces the essential concepts yoga therapists need to better understand pharmaceutical care while remaining firmly within professional scope of practice. Students will learn the language and foundational principles of pharmacology, explore how medications may influence a client’s experience and participation in yoga therapy, and develop greater awareness of medication-related risks and considerations.

The course also takes a deeper look at polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications, and the growing field of deprescribing. Students will explore the challenges that may arise when clients are managing complex medication regimens and consider the appropriate role of the yoga therapist within an interdisciplinary healthcare team.

Rather than teaching yoga therapists to manage medications, this course teaches them how to become more informed observers, communicators, and collaborators. Through case studies, discussion, exercises, and practical application, students will learn how pharmaceutical knowledge can support safer and more thoughtful yoga therapy care.

Learning Objectives

By the completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe foundational pharmacological terminology, concepts, and principles relevant to yoga therapy practice.
• Recognize ways medications may influence movement, breathing, balance, pain, mood, cognition, energy, and participation in yoga therapy.
• Identify potential medication-related risks, contraindications, and safety considerations when developing yoga therapy protocols.
• Explore ways yoga therapy practices may complement pharmaceutical care while remaining within professional scope.
• Define polypharmacy and describe current concerns associated with the use of multiple medications.
• Discuss the potential implications of polypharmacy for clients with chronic and complex health conditions.
• Describe appropriate ways yoga therapists can observe, document, and communicate medication-related concerns.
• Explain the basic principles and goals of medically supervised deprescribing.
• Identify appropriate ways yoga therapists may support clients participating in deprescribing processes without directing medication changes.
• Develop ethical communication and collaboration strategies for working with pharmacists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals.

Course Registration: $380

Recording available for 30 days.

Daily Schedule: 9:30am to 5:15pm PST

Register Here

Jay Gupta, RPh, MSc, 340B ACE, MTM Specialist, C-IAYT is a distinguished healthcare leader, integrative pharmacist, CME/CE presenter, keynote speaker, certified yoga therapist and IAYT Executive Board Member, as well as cofounder of www.RxRelax.com and www.YogaCaps.org. His honors include receiving the prestigious Bowl of Hygeia Award from the American Pharmacists Association Foundation for longstanding commitment to public health leadership and civic engagement. He is also recognized by Cardinal Health, the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations, Pharmacy Times, and others for his innovative efforts to address problematic polypharmacy. A leader in the DePrescription movement, Jay’s science-smart seated therapeutic yoga protocols have been taught in and integrated into healthcare settings across more than 40 states in the United States. Known for an upbeat and engaging teaching style, he is also the author of the upcoming book, DePrescription: Fact or Fiction, which blends compelling real-world and life-saving stories with critical industry insights. Learn more about him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/deprescribing/