Yoga Therapy Training
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Authentic, respected and inspiring.
IAYT Accredited since 2014
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Soul of Yoga’s Yoga Therapy Training is one of the most respected Yoga Therapy programs in the world today. We are IAYT Accredited which means that our school has undergone rigorous oversight and our curriculum has been proven to meet all the criteria necessary for our students to graduate with the learning and competencies necessary to be a professional Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT).
The combined wisdom you’ll experience through our Yoga Therapy program is unparalleled. It will not only prepare you to offer Yoga Therapy sessions with complete confidence, it will also deepen your own healing and spiritual journey.
You’ll Learn:
- To utilize all the tools of yoga including asana, meditation, pranayama, marma, mudra, mantra, Ayurveda, yoga nidra and lifestyle medicine to design effective, individualized plans of care.
- To address physical pain, injury, stress, trauma, depression and anxiety, grief, addiction, cancer, heart disease, autoimmune and digestive disorders and many other conditions and imbalances.
Yoga Therapists find work:
- in private practice,
- in integrated wellness and traditional healthcare settings,
- with military, educational, businesses, athletic organizations and more.
Students have the option to attend training:
- In-person at our beautiful studio in sunny Encinitas, CA
- Synchronistcially via Zoom
- Or through a combination of both.
- Some courses are also available via recording.
Our training allows you the freedom to:
- Start anytime with rolling admissions.
- Take the courses and complete homework at your pace.
- Courses are repeated every year or every other year, and some are available as recordings and free retakes.
Yoga Therapy Training Faculty:
One of the most valuable offerings of the Soul of Yoga Institute is our celebrated faculty, which includes many highly acclaimed and world-renowned Master Teachers. Each instructor provides varied educational and experiential teachings that blend together to form a rich amalgam of learning opportunities for every student to enjoy and be enriched by.
Nischala Joy Devi is a master teacher and healer. For over 30 years she has been highly respected as an international advocate for her innovative way of expressing Yoga and its subtle uses for spiritual growth and complete healing. She was a monastic student of the world renowned Yogiraj Sri Swami Satchidananda and offered her expertise in developing the yoga portion of The Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease and the Commonweal Cancer Help Program.
With her knowledge of yoga and her experience in assisting those with life-threatening diseases, she created The Healing Path of Yoga, and the “Abundant Well-Being Series” CD’s. Yoga of the Heart, a training and certification program for Yoga teachers and health professionals designed to adapt Yoga practices to the special needs of that population.
Nischala Devi is now directing her energies to bringing the feminine heart perspective back into spirituality and the scriptures in her new book, The Secret Power of Yoga, a woman’s guide to the heart and spirit of the Yoga Sutras and The Secret Power of Yoga audiobook (Nautilus Book Award Winner)
Yoga Therapy, Dual Masters Program, 300 Hour (Yoga Sutras, Subtle Body)
Leslie Kaminoff is a Yoga educator inspired by the tradition of T.K.V. Desikachar. He is an internationally recognized specialist with 36 years of experience in the fields of Yoga, breath anatomy, and bodywork. He has led workshops for many of the leading Yoga associations, schools, and training programs in America. Leslie is the founder of the Yoga blog, “e-Sutra,” and “The Breathing Project,” a New York City Yoga studio dedicated to the teaching of individualized, breath-centered Yoga. Leslie teaches The Breathing Project’s unique yearlong course in Yoga anatomy, and is the co-author with Amy Matthews of the bestselling book, “Yoga Anatomy” published by Human Kinetics.
Yoga Therapy, 300 Hour (Anatomical Alignment)
Durga Leela BA, CAS, PKS, Yoga Acharya is the founder of Yoga of Recovery. She is a Certified Yoga Teacher E-RYT 500 through the Sivananda lineage and extensively trained in Meditation and Vedanta. A Clinical Ayurvedic and Panchakarma Specialist, Durga trained both in the US and India and has served as the Director of the Ayurveda Programs at the Yoga Farm in California since 2003. She is a professional member and speaker for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) and the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), also a member of Yoga Alliance. Durga has worked on her own path of recovery and has been a grateful member of 12 step fellowship for over 14 years.
Yoga Therapy, Dual Masters Program, 300 Hour (Yoga of Recovery)
Jivana Heyman (he/him), C-IAYT, E-RYT500, is the founder and director of the Accessible Yoga Association, an international non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to the yoga teachings. He’s the author of Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body, Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage & Compassion (Shambhala Publications), and the upcoming book The Teacher’s Guide to Accessible Yoga: Best Practices for Sharing Yoga with Every Body (January 2024).
Jivana coined the phrase, “Accessible Yoga,” over ten years ago, and it has now become the standard appellation for a large cross section of the immense yoga world.
Yoga Therapy, Dual Masters Program, 300 Hour (Chair Yoga)
Sita Severson, C-IAYT is a graduate of Soul of Yoga’s Yoga Therapy Training program, Assistant Director of Advanced Training at the Soul of Yoga and an experienced Ayurvedic Practitioner (AAPNA). She has led classes and created curriculum on Meditation, Yoga and Ayurveda to the professors at Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Hospital, as well as, the Department of Aging for Baltimore County.
Sita is a published author, a beloved teacher on The Shift Network and Wisdom from North (the Scandinavian version of MindValley) and is a Brown Belt in the somatic movement technique, Nia. She has worked with thousands of individuals as their Vedic counselor, supporting their health in mind, body and spirit.
Brian Dorfman has been practicing yoga, healing patients and teaching for over 35 years. Influenced by TVK Desikachar, Brian’s instruction focuses on helping the student develop a personalized, balanced practice. He incorporates asana, pranayama, sound and meditation to create an environment for the student’s innate wisdom to develop. Brian has extensive knowledge and instructional ability in the areas of kinesiology, anatomy, physiology and the biomechanics of movement. Since 1985 Brian has maintained his own injury rehabilitation clinic and is an internationally recognized healer.
Yoga Therapy, Dual Masters Program, 300 Hour (HAPY)
Philip Goldberg has been studying India’s spiritual traditions for more than 45 years, as a practitioner, teacher and writer. He is the author of numerous books, most recently the acclaimed American Veda: From Emerson and the Beatles to Yoga and Meditation, How Indian Spirituality Changed the West. The co-host of the podcast Spirit Matters, he blogs regularly on the Huffington Post and Spirituality and Health online. He has recently published a biography of Paramahansa Yogananda. See www.PhilipGoldberg.com and www.AmericanVeda.com.
Yoga Therapy, Dual Masters Program, 300 Hour (Bhagavad Gita)
Erika Lee, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, Reiki Master, Spiritual Alchemist is a graduate of Soul of Yoga’s Yoga Therapy program and a Program Mentor. Although Erika has a deep knowledge of anatomy and physiology, her main focus is assisting clients with eating disorder issues, depression, trauma, and anxiety. Erika runs the Soul of Yoga’s the Reiki program and is a faculty instructor and mentor for the 200 hour Hatha Yoga training, and 200 hour Gentle Yoga training. In addition to her Yoga and Reiki training, Erika is currently studying shamanic healing, She leads ceremonies honoring the full moon, Mother Earth, and the equinox and solstice celebrations. She considers herself a well rounded healer with a soft heart, an affinity for animals, and a quirky sense of humor.
Yoga Therapy (Profession of Yoga Therapy)
Monique Lonner, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT is the Founder of Soul of Yoga Institute’s Advanced Yoga Teacher Training and Yoga Therapy Training Programs. A Yoga teacher for 20 years, she studied in India, New York and California with Master teachers and spiritual sages including, most notably, the teaching faculty of the Soul of Yoga Institute Advanced Program. Monique has developed the Advanced Teacher Training and Yoga Therapy Program for Soul of Yoga, bringing together those who are considered to be the best of the best Master yoga teachers in the world today. A devoted spiritual seeker, as well as an experienced anatomy and physiology teacher she has created a comprehensive program which balances the study of Yoga Therapy technique with the insight and wisdom of Yogic and metaphysical philosophy.
Yoga Therapy, Dual Masters Program, 300 Hour (Program Director, Mentor)
Becky Michalski, RN, BSN, C-IAYT, E-RYT 200, is a graduate of the Yoga Therapy Program at Soul of Yoga in Encinitas, CA. Her yoga journey began over a decade ago, and she has been devoted to the practice and study ever since. As a Registered Nurse with 16 years of experience caring for acute and critically ill patients, she combines her medical knowledge with a deep understanding of yoga’s therapeutic applications for people managing chronic illnesses. As a Yoga Therapist, Becky strives to teach in a way that honors each individual’s needs and shares the simple and profound ways to take care of our body, mind, and spirit. She specializes in teaching yoga to those with underlying medical conditions, including back pain, cancer, and cardiac diseases. Becky is currently teaching Yoga for Cancer Survivors and Yoga for Healthy Heart classes and working as a nurse in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in Anchorage, Alaska. In addition, she has had the honor of studying with and assisting Nischala Joy Devi in her ‘Yoga of the Heart’ program, a Cancer and Cardiac certification training.
Yoga Therapy, Dual Masters Program, 300 Hour (Yoga for Cancer & Heart Disease)
Richard C. Miller, PhD is a clinical psychologist, author, researcher, yogic scholar and spiritual teacher. For over 40 years, Richard Miller has devoted his life and work to integrating the nondual wisdom teachings of Yoga, Tantra, Advaita, Taoism and Buddhism with Western psychology. Among his mentors were Jean Klein, T.K.V. Desikachar and Stephen Chang.
Richard is the founding president and CEO of the Integrative Restoration Institute, co-founder of The International Association of Yoga Therapy and founding editor of the professional Journal of IAYT. He is also a founding member and past president of the Institute for Spirituality and Psychology and a senior advisor for the Baumann Foundation for the study of Awareness and its impact on well-being.
Author of Yoga Nidra: The Meditative Heart of Yoga, Richard serves as a research consultant studying the iRest Yoga Nidra protocol that he has developed (Integrative Restoration ~ iRest, a modern adaptation of the ancient nondual meditation practice of Yoga Nidra) researching its efficacy on health, healing and well-being with diverse populations including active-duty soldiers, veterans, college students, children, seniors, the homeless, the incarcerated, and people experiencing issues such as sleep disorders, PTSD, chemical dependency, chronic pain, and related disorders.
Yoga Therapy, Dual Masters Program, 300 Hour (Pranayama, Foundations of Meditation Retreat)
Flossie Park, E-RYT 500 YACEP Always considering herself as a student of life, Flossie has dedicated her life to empowering herself and others through yoga, meditation, workshops, retreats, Sound Therapy and numerous other modalities for over 25 years. One of Flossie’s passions is to support people wherever they are on their life’s journey. With a down to earth approach, she draws from a lifetime of spiritual studies from many sources both from the eastern and western traditions. Applying the wisdom teachings to everyday living, she helps people to see their life from a higher perspective, gleaning understanding, enjoying the process and creating consciously. One of her strongest passions is supporting women, especially during pregnancy. This is a true opportunity for women to recognize their innate power learning to trust their bodies and intuition.
Yoga Therapy, Dual Masters Program, 300 Hour (Prenatal Yoga, Kleshas)
Kyla Pearce, MPH, PhD, CBIS, E-RYT 200, (she/her) is the Senior Director of Programs and Research at LoveYourBrain, a national nonprofit that delivers evidence-based holistic health programs for the brain injury community. She oversees the design, implementation, and evaluation of LoveYourBrain Yoga, Mindset, and Retreats programs on a large scale. She has trained over 2,500 yoga teachers, clinicians, brain injury advocates, people with brain injury, and caregivers in how to adapt yoga, mindfulness, and psychoeducation for this population. She has developed a range of TBI-specific evidence-based yoga and mindfulness program curricula and integrated them into 60+ community and 30+ clinical contexts and online. She recently completed a NIH Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Dartmouth College investigating the impact of yoga and meditation for people with neurological conditions, including traumatic brain injury, and has published in several peer-reviewed scientific journals on these topics. She lives in Vermont with her husband, the Executive Director of LoveYourBrain Foundation, and their three children.
Yoga Therapy, Dual Masters Program, 300 Hour (Yoga for Traumatic Brain Injury)
Susana Jones, C-IAYT , Is a graduate of Soul of Yoga’s Yoga Therapy Training Program. Her upbringing in Science of Mind gave Susana an early appreciation for eastern spirituality and yoga, which she brings to life through her dedicated practice and vocation. As the founder of Urban Yogi, Susana has operated a yoga studio, created a Registered Yoga School for certifying yoga teachers, and now works as a Yoga Therapist in private and clinical settings. Susana is a mentor for the Soul’s Yoga Therapy students.
Yoga Therapy (Profession of Yoga Therapy)
Lorin Roche, PhD is the author of The Radiance Sutras. He has a PhD from the University of California, Irvine, where he has done extensive research on meditation and meditative experiences. His books on meditation are treasured by meditation practitioners across the globe and have been widely recognized as a “must-read”.
Lorin leads international meditation retreats and workshops, and trains meditation teachers in a 2-year meditation teacher training. Lorin lives in Marina del Rey, California with his yogini shaktini wife, Camille Maurine.
Yoga Therapy, 300 Hour (Philosophy & Physiology)
Ford Peck, E-RYT, MS is a Certified Senior iRest Trainer, Mentor, and Supervisor. He has been teaching yoga, pranayama, and meditation for 27 years. In addition, he has practiced as a somatic healer for over 20 years. Ford also has a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology and is currently an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, providing both individual and couples counseling. He has managed, assisted, and taught at numerous iRest Teacher Trainings, as well as retreats with Richard Miller. Ford spent over a year and a half in India, studying and practicing intensively in the tradition of Advaita as well as the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. He currently resides with his partner and their beloved cat in beautiful
Marin County, where he he loves to drink in the natural beauty of the land through hiking and mountain biking.
Yoga Therapy, Dual Masters Program, 300 Hour (iRest Level 1, Yoga Meditation Retreat)
Justine Shelton, C-IAYT is a graduate of Soul of Yoga’s 200 hour training and a four year training program with Gary Kraftsow of the American Viniyoga Institute, she is a 500 hour AVI Certified Yoga Teacher and a 500 hour AVI Certified Yoga Therapist. Justine specializes in structural yoga therapy, specifically spinal disc injuries, back pain management, structural instability, as well as shoulder and knee therapy. She teaches students and trains teachers in Yoga for Healthy Backs and runs the cancer recovery yoga program at Yoga Vista Academy. Many people know her through her video “Gentle Yoga for a Healthy Low Back” by Yoga Journey Productions (www.yogaJP.com). Her passion is working with people who have different forms of catastrophic disease, helping them to manage their condition, minimize and cope with pain and, most importantly, helping them to realize they are not their condition.
Yoga Therapy, Dual Masters Program, 300 Hour (HAPY)
Stephani Sutherland, PhD, RYT500 earned her doctoral degree in neuroscience in 2001 and has worked as a freelance science writer for the past 15 years; her work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Scientific American, Scientific American Mind, Pain Research Forum, and The Journal of Neuroscience. Stephani has practiced yoga for over 20 years, and she trained with Gary Kraftsow of American Viniyoga Institute. Find more about Stephani at stephanisutherland.com, facebook.com/StephaniSutherlandPhD, and @sutherlandphd.
Yoga Therapy, Dual Masters Program, 300 Hour (HAPY)
Amy Weintraub, MFA, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, YACEP is the founder of the LifeForce Yoga Healing Institute and has been a pioneer in the field of yoga and mental health for over 20 years. She is the author of Yoga for Depression (Broadway Books) and Yoga Skills for Therapists: Effective Practices for Mood Management (W.W. Norton) and numerous articles and book chapters. Amy is involved in ongoing research on the impact of Yoga on mood. Her evidence-based Yoga protocol for managing mood is used in healthcare settings globally and is featured on a number of audio-visual products, including the LifeForce Yoga series, an award-winning library of evidence-based yoga and meditation CDs and DVDs for mood management. She maintains an archive of news and research on, www.yogafordepression.com.
Yoga Therapy, 300 Hour (Yoga for Psycho-Emotional states)
Dr. Linda Chamberlain is a scientist, author, professor, dog musher, and founder of the Alaska Family Violence Prevention Project, Dr. Linda Chamberlain has worked in the field of childhood and adult trauma for over two decades. Known for her abilities to translate science into practical strategies with diverse audiences, she is an internationally recognized keynote speaker who conveys a message of hope and empowerment. Her current focus is on a healing-centered 36 framework with a strong emphasis on brain-mind-body practices to address how stress is stored in our bodies and our natural instinct to heal. A trainer with Capacitar, an international network for well-being and transforming trauma, she is trained in a wide range of practices that use breathwork, movement, meditation, visualization, HeartMath, and poly-vagal informed strategies to promote resilience, self-regulation and healing. Her skill-based presentations highlight simple tools that are appropriate for children, youth and adults. An important application of her work is preventing compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma among service providers exposed to the suffering of others in a broad range of settings. Dr. Chamberlain taught at the University of Alaska and earned public health degrees from Yale School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Recognition for her work includes a Scientist Scholar with the Fulbright Arctic Initiative, a National Kellogg Leadership Fellowship, an Alaska Women of Achievement Award and the Inaugural Scattergood Foundation Scholar on Child Behavioral Health.
Yoga Therapy, 300 Hour (Brain on Yoga, Mental & Emotional Wellbeing)
Jillian Pransky, C-IAYT is an international presenter and the author of Deep Listening: A Healing Practice to Calm Your Body, Clear Your Mind, and Open Your Heart. She leads retreats, yoga teacher trainings, and restorative workshops—both in person and online—for students all over the world. Jillian gave a TEDx Talk on metta meditation; created and leads Yoga Journal’s online course Restorative Yoga 101; and is a featured yoga expert to magazines such as Prevention, Mindful, Yoga Journal, Yoga International, and more. Jillian infuses her yoga classes with mindfulness practices, compassion, and ease and inspires an integrative, holistic healing experience.
Yoga Therapy, Dual Masters Program
Shawnee Thornton Hardy is a Certified Yoga Therapist, Author, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and the Founder of Asanas for Autism and Special Needs and Founder/Director of Yoga Therapy for Youth. She has worked with children and teens of diverse abilities and backgrounds for close to 30 years. She authored Asanas for Autism and Special Needs – Yoga to Help Children with their Emotions, Self-Regulation and Body-Awareness and Yoga Therapy for Children and Teens with Complex Needs – A Somatosensory Approach to Mental, Emotional and Physical Wellbeing. She is the creator of the C.A.L.M.M Yoga Toolkit and Body Sensations Curriculum, a yoga and somatic curriculum designed to support children’s diverse sensory, communication, emotional, physical and learning needs. Shawnee leads workshops and trainings online and throughout the US and Internationally She is passionate about supporting youth with developing self-regulation skills, connecting to their own inner power, building resilience and allowing their unique strengths and gifts to shine.
Yoga Therapy, 300 Hour (Brain on Yoga)
John Vosler’s passion is providing education on how thoughts, emotions and physical being are connected. As an energetic bodyworker for more than 25 years, John is able to assess each client and determine the best modality or combination of modalities to help them connect with their divine consciousness and inner healer.
Through meditation, movement, holistic bodywork and Conscious Coaching, John’s Los Angeles-based wellness practice has empowered countless clients to improve their lives. Executives, athletes, celebrities, busy moms and burnt-out professionals are attracted to his intuitive awareness and vast knowledge of the science of meditation. And, his infectious humor and compassionate heart make working with him a joy-filled experience.
Yoga Therapy, 300 Hour (Yoga for Mental & Emotional Wellness)
Yoga Therapy Curriculum Outline
This is comprised of:
595 Hours of Required Courses
155 Hours of Practicum Case Studies
50 Hours of Mentoring
Note: A 200 Hour Teacher Training and a year of teaching experience is a prerequisite for this program. If you don’t have a year of teaching yet you can begin with our 300 Hour program on the “Yoga Therapy Track” and matriculate when you’re ready.
If you don’t have a year of teaching yet you can begin with our 300hr Bridge Program.
595 Hours – Required Courses:
5 Hours – Orientation
With Monique Lonner and Shannon Ramo
Date Dependent on Enrollment Day – Fully Recorded
Welcome! This is a small library of videos providing a helpful overview of the program, including problem solving guidance, intro to learning platforms and homework structure so you can begin with confidence.
80 Hours -Holistic Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga
with Brian Dorfman, Dr. Stephani Sutherland, Justine Shelton and Monique Lonner
Rolling Admission, Online Course – work at your own pace
Structural Yoga Therapy. Explores movement techniques as Yoga Therapy tools for assessment and recovery to help clients to reduce pain, gain more freedom of movement and progress towards holistic healing.
50 Hours – Mentoring
Rolling Admission, 2 to 6.5hrs per month, Offered through video conferencing
Guidance and practicum. Mentoring sessions to address and review cases, receive feedback, share learning and insight and build a supportive community with fellow students and instructors.
25 Hours – Subtle Anatomy with Nischala Joy Devi and Monique Lonner
February 20-23, 2026 (In Person and Live Stream)
Mystical healing. Intricate exploration of the mystical teachings of the subtle anatomy system including chakras, nadis and koshas and their important role in vitality, wellbeing, dis-ease, healing and transformation.
50 Hours – Yoga for Heart Disease and Cancer with Becky Michalski and Alana Keith
March 20-22, 2026 and March 27-29, 2026 (In Person & Live Stream)
In this course, students will explore the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual components of heart disease and cancer and learn how to adapt yoga practices to foster healing and improve quality of life.
40 Hours – The Depth Teachings of Meditation: Living Your Interconnected Wholeness Retreat with Richard Miller, PhD.
May 4-9, 2026 (In Person Residential & Live Stream)
Personal experience of retreat. Teachings from the Yogic and Buddhist traditions in meditation, transformation, self-inquiry, pranayama, hatha yoga, yoga nidra, guided and silent sitting and walking meditation practices. An opportunity for self healing.
30 Hours – iRest Level 1 with Ford Peck
June 9-13, 2026 (In Person & Live Stream)
Developed over 30 years by Richard Miller PhD, iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation supports psychological, physical and spiritual health, healing and awakening.
50 Hours – Yoga of Recovery with Durga Leela
July 14-19, 2026 (In Person & Live Stream)
Yoga for Addiction. This Training combines Ayurveda and Yoga with traditional 12 step recovery tools to offer a more holistic mind, body, spirit approach to addiction and self-destructive behaviors.
40 Hours – Brain on Yoga with Lisa Saremi, Dr. Linda Chamberlain, Shannon Ramo, Shawnee Thornton Hardy, Stephani Sutherland
September 29-October 4, 2026 (In Person & Live Stream)
Learn how the miraculous brain develops during childhood, is affected by trauma and how to teach to a neurodiverse population. Yoga practices to support a healthy brain during all stages of life are explored, including the understanding of traumatic brain injury, autism and Alzheimers.
40 Hours – Advanced Teaching Skills with Leslie Kaminoff, Jivana Heyman, Flossie Park and Monique Lonner
November 4-9, 2026 (In Person & Live Stream)
Teaching Methodology. Skillfully adapt teaching for students with differing needs. Topics include prenatal and chair teaching methodologies, common injuries, misalignments, adaptations and effective sequencing.
40 Hours – Intro to Ayurveda with Sita Severson
June 23-28, 2027 (In Person & Live Stream)
Learn to apply the deep and powerful healing wisdom of Ayurveda to your professional scope of practice, broadening your skill set with competence and confidence.
30 Hours – The Profession of Yoga Therapy
2027 Dates TBA (In Person & Live Stream)
Professionalism in Yoga Therapy. Scope of practice, laws and ethics, Yoga in healthcare, growing your business and spiritual, intuitive counseling skills.
50 Hour – Breathwork
2027 Dates TBA (In Person & Live Stream)
This training bridges traditional Yogic Pranayama with contemporary clinical and therapeutic applications, offering a direct, embodied experience of breath as medicine, teacher, and path to awakening.
40 Hours – Chronic Disease and Ease with Dr. Stephani Sutherland, Jillian Pransky and Monique Lonner
2027 Dates TBA (In Person & Live Stream)
Chronic disease, chronic pain, and auto-immune diseases affect tens of millions of people and are not always well addressed by allopathic medicine. Here we will elucidate the holistic understanding of these conditions, and detail the most useful yoga therapy tools, including restorative yoga.
40 Hours – Philosophy in Practice with Master Faculty
Dates TBA 2027 (In Person & Live Stream)
Body, Mind, Spirit. Traditionally study revered texts of Yoga – the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and The Radiance Sutras – and then personally experience the wisdom through your body with asana, breathwork, meditation, mantra and dance. An enlightening experience!
40 Hours – Mental & Emotional Wellness with Amy Weintraub, Shawnee Thornton Hardy, Flossie Park, Mo Minahan and John Vosler
2027 Dates TBA (In Person & Live Stream)
Through an exploration of both the Eastern and Western understandings of trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety and grief, we will study evidence based yogic interventions to support sustained mental and emotional wellness.
155 Hours Practicum Case Studies
HAPY Case Studies • 50 Hours
Address client situations related to the topics of HAPY. Each case studies requires one SOAP note and a follow-up write up. (16 Studies)
Progressive Case Studies • 50 Hours
Address client situations related to the topics of the required training modules and indicate your progression through the training. Each case study requires an initial intake, a follow up SOAP note and a final write up. (9 Studies)
Graduate Case Studies • 30 Hours
Each should address a Yoga Therapy situation. There are no specific topics required, but all your learning in the program should be indicated. Each Graduate Case Study requires an initial intake, two follow up SOAP notes and a final conclusion. (5 Studies)
Karma Yoga Project • 25 Hours – 12 Sessions
Organize and teach to a group or individuals that need yoga for healing, but can’t necessarily afford it. For this project you’ll need pre-approval from the program director, individual pre-class intake forms for each student in your class, and a final conclusion paper.
50 Hours Mentoring (Live Stream)
2-6.5 hours per month
Small Group Mentoring – reviews your online HAPY course and goes over your HAPY homework. Students may also bring questions about clients, professional growth, personal development etc. You have 30 months from enrollment to complete your HAPY assignments.
All Group Mentoring with Monique Lonner – reviews each required course and is scheduled approximately 5 weeks after the course completes. Within the 5 weeks between when the course ends and Mentoring with Mo is scheduled, you will work on your Progressive Case study for the course. You will turn in your Progressive Case study and you will discuss it and receive feedback during the mentoring session with Mo.
All group mentoring with Sita Severson – Optional mentoring opportunity to connect with your training community. These sessions follow each live training session to integrate, ask questions, share inspiration and challenges, connect with one another, practice active listening, and feel into Sangha.
Program Duration
The program takes a minimum of two years to complete, however students may take up to five years to finish all courses, mentoring and practicum assignments. Further extensions may be possible for active students with extenuating circumstances.
With This Training Every Student Receives:
Career Support
Support to build your professional practiceCareer Support
Under the guidance of regionally-established faculty members you will be supported to build your professional practice and establish a successful career
Certification
from The Soul InstituteUse your Soul of Yoga diploma to register as a C-IAYT through the International Association of Yoga Therapists
Learn From the Best
World renowned facultyLearn From the Best
Our Faculty have been practicing for a cumulative 455 years.
The Yoga Therapy program at the Soul of Yoga was a tremendous learning experience for me as a yoga teacher. There was a lot of soul to the program without comprising depth of knowledge on yoga anatomy and philosophy. I feel abundantly grateful for all the wonderful master teachers that I studied under. Committing to a program like this is always a big deal because one has to take an honest look at aspects of one’s life where healing is required. I was deeply touched by the incredible support I received in my journey into healing. The Soul of Yoga exemplifies what yoga is all about and they’re not afraid to show their love for humanity here. At the end of the program, I felt 100% ready to bring my yoga therapy skills to the world. This experience will stay with me throughout my life. If you’re a yoga teacher looking to get deeper into what yoga is all about, look no further!
I work in Epidemiology with Trauma as my specialty. My Yoga Therapy Training with Soul of Yoga was turning point in my career.
The Soul Institute has fun and educational classes beyond the typical yoga teachers school. I have attended their classes (and a lot of others around the country). I am consistently impressed with both the teaching quality and the broad spectrum of classes they offer. There is a nice community, and everyone is so happy and grateful to be there. It is clearly money and time well spent!
Wonderful faculty, supportive and multi-faceted. I really appreciated the rolling curriculum, so if “life” happens and you miss a module, there’s always an opportunity to make it up. The Holistic Anatomy and Physiology Course is online, as well as the majority of mentoring. There is an in-house clinic if you live in or near Encinitas, where they service the community, and give budding Yoga Therapists a valuable practicum experience. Each new training was like an integral piece of the puzzle, and I was able to grow as a Yoga Therapist. This is a special program, with teachers like; Richard Miller, Nischala Joy Devi and Tom Myers to support your foundational training. After just over 2 years of hard work, I’m about to graduate in a few weeks. I can’t say enough positive things about this training. I feel well equipped to support my patients/clients, and I know I can always lean on my Soul family when I need them. Best of luck on your journey, whichever direction you take.
“The yoga therapy program at Soul of Yoga is unparalleled in its unique combination of hybrid accessibility, community belonging, and academic rigor. It combines a cultural appreciation of classical Yoga in tandem with the integration of modern yoga as therapy. One is empowered to think critically while also leaving the heart open to mysteries of the Divine. Mo and Shannon have created a non-dogmatic, inclusive space for people of all faiths and religious expressions to experience the spiritual depth of yoga without reducing its full brilliance. There are no words to describe just how much my life has transformed for the better through becoming a yoga therapist at SOUL.”
Registration and Financial Aid Services
Admission Requirements
- Completion of a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training or equivalent,
- Minimum one year of Yoga teaching experience,
- Minimum one year of Yoga practice
Registration Process
- Make deposit of $3,200. The deposit reserves your place in the training and is 100% refundable prior to your acceptance in the program.
- After the deposit is made, you’ll be directed to setup an enrollment appointment with the Assistant Director of the Yoga Therapy Program.
- Complete and submit an online application.
Tuition
- Tuition: $12,800*
- Includes 25 class-pack
*Does not include room & board for Foundations of Meditation Retreat should you opt for in person or study materials (books)
Required Reading
- A list of required and recommended reading will be provided with your admission material.
Pricing Advantages
- $300 Paid-In-Full Discount is available to students who pay-in-full before the first day of class
- 10% off for Military and Seniors
- Alumni discounts. Please inquire about these opportunities.
Financial Aid
The Soul Institute offers payment plans. A 25% non-refundable deposit is required. The balance, plus an 8% service fee, will be placed on your account. Monthly auto-payments will be drawn using a Visa or MasterCard.
Questions? Email our Assistant Program Director, Shannon Ramo below.
Military Financing
MyCAA Funding gives eligible military spouses the opportunity to train for portable jobs in growing career fields, including becoming a Yoga Teacher. Soul of Yoga Institute is MYCAA approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to enroll in a yoga therapy certification program?
You need a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training certification and at least one year of teaching experience. This provides a strong foundation in yoga and the lived experience of guiding others.
If you do not yet have a full year of teaching, you can begin with our Bridge Program, which builds experience while preparing you for certification. Download our info packet to see how these requirements ensure you are ready to step into advanced study with confidence and skill.
Do I need to be a healthcare professional to become a yoga therapist?
No. You do not need to be a doctor, nurse, or clinician. What you need is a foundation as a yoga teacher, openness to learning, and the desire to serve others through yoga’s therapeutic wisdom.
Yoga therapy is its own discipline, rooted in ancient practice and aligned with modern standards of safety and care. Some students are healthcare providers, but many come from teaching, wellness, or other professions. What unites them is a calling to use yoga as a tool for healing and transformation, standing alongside but not replacing medical professionals.
How much does yoga therapy certification cost?
Tuition for Soul of Yoga’s 800-hour IAYT Accredited Yoga Therapy Program is $12,800 plus materials, with flexible payment plans. Enrollment includes a 25-class package and 150 hours of practicum and mentoring to support both your personal practice and professional preparation.
Across IAYT-accredited programs, tuition generally ranges from $8,500 to $15,000. Soul of Yoga sits in the mid-to-upper range, reflecting the depth of study, mentoring, and community support you receive.
How long does it take to complete yoga therapy certification?
The Yoga Therapy Certification is an 800-hour journey that takes about two years but students have up to 5 years to complete all requirements. This pacing allows you to study deeply, integrate the teachings into daily life, and refine your skills with the support of mentors.The program is structured with flexibility so you can balance work, family, and other commitments.
To see the full range of studies and areas of focus in our program, we recommend downloading the information packet.
Can I complete yoga therapy certification online?
Yes. Our Yoga Therapy Certification can be completed in person or online through live Zoom classes. Students can choose the format that best supports their life while still meeting IAYT accreditation standards.
Online participants engage in real time with teachers and peers, asking questions, joining discussions, and practicing together. This format creates a strong sense of community across distance, ensuring you are fully included and supported wherever you are.
What is IAYT certification and why is it important?
The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) sets professional standards for yoga therapy worldwide. Graduating from an IAYT-accredited school qualifies you to become a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), the highest credential in the field.
This certification is recognized by healthcare providers, wellness organizations, and clients as a mark of quality, safety, and professionalism. To learn how the Soul of Yoga meets these standards, request the information packet.
What is the difference between C-IAYT and other yoga therapy certifications?
C-IAYT, or Certified Yoga Therapist, is the only credential recognized worldwide by the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Other programs may issue certificates, but they are not held to the same standards of rigor and oversight.
The C-IAYT designation means your training has included advanced study, ethics, therapeutic applications, and supervised practicum. It signals to healthcare and wellness professionals that you are trained to the highest standard and prepared to collaborate as part of an integrative team.
What is the difference between a yoga teacher and a yoga therapist?
A yoga teacher is trained to guide group classes, sharing asana, breath, meditation, and philosophy in ways that support overall well-being for many students at once.
A yoga therapist, with 800 hours of advanced training, works with individuals or groups around specific physical, mental, or emotional needs. Yoga therapy can also be applied in specialized settings such as healthcare, recovery, mental wellness, and community programs.
Both roles are valuable: teachers spread yoga widely, while therapists bring it into focused, transformative work that supports healing across many contexts.
What can I do with a yoga therapy certification career-wise?
Becoming a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) opens doors to many professional paths. Some therapists build private practices, while others work in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, or mental health settings where yoga is recognized as a complementary approach.
We highly recommend signing up for an information session to discuss the variety of possibilities this field has to offer.