For yoga teachers who have a calling to become an agent of healing on the highest levels, a Yoga Therapy Certification provides comprehensive training, insight and inspiration. The Heartwood IAYT is one of only 68 Accredited Yoga Therapy programs worldwide. With intimate sized programs, low tuition and payment plans, and an expansive, comprehensive program that provides flexible options, Heartwood offers a deeply transformational experience to support a career in holistic healing. Students must be an RYT-200 or higher, and ready to apply themselves to a further commitment of 805 hours, which includes 605 hours of study and 200 hours of a practicum component to become an IAYT certified yoga therapist (learn more at International Association of Yoga therapists).
Before choosing any path of studies we recommend students talk to an experienced mentor about their goals and yoga therapy as a career. Call us to set an appointment to explore whether or not a Yoga Therapy certification and the Heartwood program is right for you.
Listen to this explanation of Yoga Therapy from one of our graduates.
The coursework is divided into 4 educational units. It begins with a 300-hour foundational studies program, and this is followed by three 102-hour yoga therapy concentrations taken in any order. A practicum provides real life experience and preparation for a career.
Step 1: Foundational studies are offered in a hybrid format that includes online study with a fully online format that includes 50 hours of in person zoom sessions combined with prerecorded content you can do at your own pace, or a hybrid program with online distance learning (that also includes online zoom practicum sessions to comprehend and practice the material) combined with an 7-day live immersion at Heartwood. Our 300-hour foundational program is a part of the IAYT competencies, but also is registered with Yoga Alliance, so students can choose to register with Yoga Alliance to become an RYT-500 after this portion of the training is complete while still applying these hours to the 800- hour IAYT program. Our program is progressive and the information builds in a linear way, so we cannot offer transfer credits from any other 300 program. All students must take our foundational program as prep for the YT concentrations to be IAYT 800-hour certified.
Steps 2-4: YT Concentrations. After completing the 300 hours of foundational studies there are 3 yoga therapy concentrations which are offered either live in 8-day immersions or in a distance learning format that involves live zoom session meetings (a schedule that spans a full year)
Commitment: It typically takes two years to complete all the coursework but it can be spread out up to 4 years . Please be aware that IAYT recommends that no one graduate a yoga therapy program in less than two years in order to process and fully digest the comprehensive material and for continuity we require the work be completed in 4 years or less. While the coursework is usually completed in 18 months, it is often the practicum that requires additional time.
Step 5: A mentored 205-hour practicum after completing the coursework is required for C-IAYT certification which is pursued on your own with mentorship. Students often do their practicum in professional settings or in private sessions where they live, with distance learning guidance from their assigned mentor as well as group practicum sessions on zoom held once a month for support and ongoing inspiration. The practicum can be started anytime after completing the foundational course and one concentration series of coursework and the online praticium courses. The practicum hours are defined and varied to get the most out of the experience and include some group setting classes, one on one sessions with the general public, a service project, and working several sessions with a fellow yoga therapist student.
At the completion of all 800 hours of study and mentorship, students must take a 5 hour formal exam offered through IAYT to become certified. (No worries - we will have you prepared and confident when the time comes and we have study sessions to help you prepare.)
150 hours of internship providing therapy in private sessions with a set amount of time allowed for group sessions is required after completing the coursework.
55 hours is designated for mentoring and documentation of the practicum to be reviewed with the program staff in person or in one on one distance meetings.
The following coursework is necessary to begin the practicum so this is taught in each in-person concentration or students can access this coursework online so they can begin their practicum whenever they are ready to begin. This also offers students a chance to revisit the information as needed.
Practicum courses include:
What defines a Yoga Therapist from a Yoga Teacher?
Read more about the leading organization in the field of yoga therapy
Please reach us at contactheartwoodyoga@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Yoga Therapy requires a deeply comprehensive course of studies beyond what you would learn in an RYT training course, including not only specific healing techniques but also legal and ethical considerations, record keeping and other professional factors that all people in the medical professions must include in their practice. Learn more about the difference between being an advanced yoga teacher and a yoga therapist here.
IAYT does not accept transfer credits from Yoga Alliance programs, because any accredited 800-hour training program must be linear, integrated and meet all of the competencies and requirements established by IAYT. Our 300 can be applied because it is registered with Yoga Alliance and IAYT. While your 300 attained elsewhere may have provided a wonderful education, you will still need to participate in our foundational program to fulfill the 800 hours of IAYT certification. Consider it an opportunity to review and deepen your foundational education.
As of 2023, all certified Yoga Therapists will be required to pass a universal exam with IAYT, which is moderated and timed, much like massage therapists or chiropractors do to be legitimate in the field. The 3 hour test includes 150 questions and students must pass with 75%. Up to 2 retakes are possible per year. We take pride in preparing our graduates to successfully pass this exam. The IAYT certification is important for anyone wanting a career in yoga therapy, an exciting immerging career in holistic health.
There is no law at this time that prohibits a yoga teacher from claiming to be a yoga therapist; however, Yoga Alliance recognizes the difference and forbids all their members from using the designation on their websites, business cards or any other marketing. See their policy about yoga therapy here. Most people who claim their courses make one a yoga therapist in less than 800 hours or those who claim to be a yoga therapist without having had IAYT formal training, simply do so because they are ignorant of the scope of practice and what formal yoga therapy training involves. Often, yoga teachers assume that all yoga is therapeutic and therefor when they are teaching they are doing "yoga therapy." We advise all yoga teachers to learn more about formal yoga therapy education and practice so they will respect and acknowledge the difference. IAYT has a very long, involved accreditation process for schools providing Yoga therapy education and the path is continuing to be more regulated and to have higher standards. You can learn more here.
At Heartwood we strive to make every learning experience, online or in person, dynamic and successful with the aim of preparing our students for viable careers in yoga. In-person studies at Heartwood offer an enriching experience where students get hands-on experience with plenty of space and opportunity for conversations with fellow students and staff to build connections and practice with guidance and feedback. Heartwood is a beautiful retreat property that always delivers an expansive, inspirational yoga experience that feeds the soul while also expanding your awareness.
That said, finding the time and resources to attend an in-person program for a full 800 hours is not always possible or affordable, and we now offer online coursework that provides new opportunities for everyone to get the highest quality of education in a way that fits their lifestyle and needs for a lower tuition.
Students can do the full 800-hour program online, combine in person hybrid immersions with online segments or join us for the full program in person. All paths receive the same high quality IAYT certified yoga therapy education.
A student from our online program offers a testimonial about Heartwood YT Program
The online foundational program typically meets every other Saturday from 1:00 - 6:00pm for 9 sessions (live attendance required) with additional prerecorded lectures and assignments done (self-guided) between those meetings to prepare. It is important to us that every online student have the same quality learning experience as students joining us in person, so students enrolling in online studies must have proper lighting, space, a device, and an internet connection that makes it possible for them to be fully seen on camera, and they must be willing to follow rules to assure their online experience closely emulates what they would experience in live training. (No eating, interacting with pets or children, multitasking, driving, or doing anything else that might distract or divide your interest during class sessions. Practicums with breakout sessions, mentors observing and providing feedback, and group discussions keep our online sessions interactive and enlightening. We hope that the option of online learning expands opportunities for students who might otherwise not be able to pursue this course of studies, but we are committed to doing this without sacrificing quality or engagement. Therefore, students must be ready and willing to participate fully and with the same degree of commitment as we expect and receive in our in-person programs.
The Yoga Therapy concentrations involve one year of participation. Students meet once a week for a three-hour zoom (on a weeknight from 6-9 pm EST) for lecture and discussion, and every other week (typically on a Saturday from 1:00-6:30 pm EST) for practicums, case studies, and lectures and additional learning endeavors. This involves 300 hours of in-person interaction in the year. (We take schedule breaks for holidays). This means the student is committing to 22 hours a month of participation, plus participation in the once a month practicum meeting (Currently on Sundays at your convenience (to equal 300 hours for the concentration portion of the program).
All practicums are scheduled one-on-one and involve personal time with your mentor through Zoom, e-mail, or phone calls, scheduled at your convenience. We do have online group mentorship meetings where students can discuss clients, ask questions, and gain inspiration and creative input.
A graduate offers insight into the power of yoga therapy.
Yoga Therapy involves 800 hours of study with qualified instructors and traditionally takes 2-3 years to complete. Students can pay in full for a discounted rate or pay each stage of the training individually enabling them to spread out the payments and decide at each junction if they do or don't want to continue on this path. Payment plans are available.
*Payment plans do not include housing for in-person immersions. Affordable housing options are available.
Tuition for the fully online IAYT Yoga Therapy Certification - $7,499.00
Includes the foundation program and 3 concentrations (one year of studies) and practicum mentorship.
Students receive a 5% discount if paid in full. An interest free payment plan is available for $299.00 a month for 25 months.
Tuition for the fully in person live training - $12,395.
Pay in Full for discount - $11,500.
We try to be flexible to meet each student's situation. Students wishing to participate in a hybrid option or a combination of in-person and online participation can pay the difference for each in-person offering. We are happy to coordinate a personalized educational plan for you as circumstances dictate.
Note* There are no refunds or tuition transfers, so consider your long-term educational plans and this commitment before opting to pay in full for tuition savings.
Foundational Studies can be taken online with an optional live hybrid retreat or in a 17-day immersion.
Fully Online or the Hybrid program: Self-guided online asynchronous content with synchronous Zoom sessions every other Saturday from 1-6 pm.
Summer Session: May 18th- Sept 7th, 2024, Optional hybrid in-person retreat: August 3 - 10, 2024.
Fall Session: Sept 7 - Dec. 21 (Optional hybrid in-person retreat Nov 16 - 23) - Please note we have two sessions (Sept 7 and 14) in a row to avoid conflicts with the winter holidays.
17-day Live Immersion Schedule: (includes some asynchronous learning to equal 300 hours.)
July 12 (Friday arrival) to July 28, 2024
Feb. 7 (Friday arrival) to Feb. 23, 2025
Students can enter this portion of the program at any entry point when a new subject is being offered and the coursework unfolds with rolling admissions for one year. The yoga therapy concentrations are primarily synchronous, meaning you must attend these zoom sessions in person. (We recognize that sometimes life gets in the way so we have a make-up policy, but if you can't commit the time required to attend to these sessions, you won't be able to complete the IAYT study requirements, and should reconsider this format of learning.)
We currently meet every Tuesday from 6pm - 9pm EST and every other Saturday from 1:00-6:00 pm EST. (We limit enrollment to 18 students participating in an online session, so additional options will be available if or when enrollment dictates a need for additional sessions.) The program does not meet in the month of Dec. as this gives everyone a holiday break. A monthly 3 hour Zoom session and office hours are offered for those actively working in the practicum. (For a glance at the schedule see the file below.)
Concentration A - Sept. 7 - 14 , 2024
Concentration B - March 2025
Concentration C - Oct. 2025
Call to register for in-person immersion sessions.
yoga therapy online schedule (pdf)
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