This article addresses frequently asked questions about MVP's Yoga Therapy programs. 

 

Table of contents:

• General Information
• Applied Yoga: Clinical Applications of Hatha Yoga (Module 1)
• Applied Yoga Upgrade & Clinical Yoga Therapy Bridge Program
• IAYT-accredited Clinical Yoga Therapy Program

 

---

General Information

Question: 

How do I find out more about the yoga therapy program?

Answer: 

We have informational yoga therapy sessions every other month. Please click here for previous info sessions. Click here to check out our website for future dates and times.

 

Question: 

Do I need a 200hr yoga certification to enroll in the Clinical Yoga Therapy program? 

Answer: 

Yes. Per IAYT (our accrediting organization), you must have a 200-hour certification and one year of teaching experience and personal practice before enrolling in the program.

 

Question:

What if I already have 200 or 500 hours? Can I apply for the Yoga Therapy Program?

Answer:

Yes. There are many paths to enroll in the IAYT-accredited Clinical Yoga Therapy program. Please see the flowchart below:

 

Question:  

Is it possible to enter the IAYT-accredited Clinical Yoga Therapy program if I completed my 300 hr with another yoga institution or yoga education provider?  

Answer: 

Yes.  Students enrolling with a 500-Hour Yoga Teacher Certification can transfer coursework from their 300-hour training. Students wishing to transfer coursework from a 300-hour training will have their transfer credits assessed against our Module 1 curriculum. Only coursework comparable to MVP’s Module 1 curriculum/coursework will be accepted for transfer credits.  Potential trainees can transfer in up to 300 hours of comparable equivalent coursework and will be enrolled in the Clinical Yoga Therapy Bridge program along with Modules 2 & 3. 

 

Question: 

How long does the yoga therapy program take?

Answer: 

The full Clinical Yoga Therapy program takes ~ 2 ½ years, possibly longer. 

 

Question: 

I am a physical therapist. Can I fast-track the yoga therapy program? 

Answer:  

No, all students must go through the same yoga therapy modules no matter their professional certification. 

 

Question: 

I want to learn more about MVP’s Yoga Therapy Program. Should I book an appointment for a session in the Free Online Yoga Therapy Clinic?

Answer: 

No, the Free Online Yoga Therapy Clinic is only for a yoga therapy session with a yoga therapist in training and is reserved for MVP students and MVP alums. For more information about what yoga therapy is or our Clinical Yoga Therapy Program, please contact anapilar@myvinyasapractice.com. We have regularly scheduled yoga therapy info sessions. Please see our website for dates and times. 

 

Question: 

Can my friends and family take advantage of the free yoga therapy clinic?

Answer: 

We reserve the free yoga therapy clinic for MVP students and MVP alums. Friends and family can book an appointment in our paid yoga therapy clinic with C-IAYT yoga therapists. 

 

---

Applied Yoga: Clinical Applications of Hatha Yoga (Module 1)

Question:

What is the difference between the Applied Yoga: Clinical Applications of Hatha Yoga / Module 1 and the IAYT-accredited Clinical Yoga Therapy program?

Answer:

The Applied Yoga: Clinical Applications of Hatha Yoga is our online Module 1 course that contains our 300-hour teacher training along with 250 more hours of study including the 60-hour Yoga Therapy Applications for Pranayama module, the 40-hour Yoga Therapy Applications for Anxiety module, and 150 hours of case studies with videos, reading, and homework submissions.  Students who are enrolled in the Applied Yoga: Clinical Applications of Hatha Yoga can transfer directly into Modules 2 & 3 of our IAYT-accredited Clinical Yoga Therapy program.

 

The Clinical Yoga Therapy program is a 1000+ certification, broken into three Modules, and designed for people who want to work within clinical settings, including rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, and private practice offices. This training prepares you to work as a Certified Clinical Yoga Therapist within a care team of medical professionals. MVP Yoga Therapy School is a Member School with IAYT, and our Clinical Yoga Therapy program is accredited with IAYT. The first module of our Clinical Yoga Therapy Certification fulfills the requirements to level up your registration with Yoga Alliance as a 500-hour RYT.

 

---

Applied Yoga Upgrade & Clinical Yoga Therapy Bridge Program

Question:

What’s the difference between the Applied Yoga Upgrade and the Clinical Yoga Therapy Bridge Program?

Answer: 

Applied Yoga Therapy Upgrade Program (AYTU)  can be purchased by any MVP 300hr TT student and contains 200+ hours of clinical application and case studies, including our Yoga Anxiety and Pranayama courses. A C-IAYT yoga therapist reviews all Applied Yoga Upgrade homework submitted. 

Applied Yoga Upgrade students are not enrolled in the full Clinical Yoga Therapy program, and as such, do not receive the 30 hours of mentorship nor are they assigned a Cohort or mentor. 

With the Applied Yoga Upgrade, you can apply for a direct transfer into Modules 2 & 3 of the IAYT-accredited Clinical Yoga Therapy Program, where they will be assigned a Cohort and receive their 30 hours of mentorship concurrently as they work through Module 2.

 

The Clinical Yoga Therapy Bridge Program (CYTB) has the same content as the Applied Yoga Upgrade, however, it includes our 30 hours of mentorship and is purchased along with Modules 2 & 3 which indicates that the student is enrolled in the full IAYT accredited Clinical Yoga Therapy program, and as such, will be able to register with IAYT as a yoga therapist after the completion of the entire program.

CYTB students are assigned a Cohort which is facilitated by a mentor and have access to the Director of Yoga Therapy and her assistant.  CYTB students are offered office hours several times a week and monthly mentoring meetings.

 

Question: 

Must I attend the live lecture if I have completed Subtle Bodies in the Applied YT Program?

Answer: 

No, you don’t have to attend the live Subtle Body lecture if you completed it in your Applied Yoga: Clinical Applications of Hatha course. You must complete it if you are in the Clinical Yoga Therapy Bridge Program.

 

Question: 

If you’re in the Applied Yoga Upgrade do you have to attend Pranayama and Yoga Therapy for Anxiety live trainings?

Answer: 

No, you can watch the recordings for Pranayama and Yoga Therapy for Anxiety. 

 

---

IAYT-accredited Clinical Yoga Therapy Program

Question: 

How do I apply to the Yoga Therapy Program? 

Answer: 

Complete our online application to be considered for admission into our IAYT Yoga Therapy Certification program by filling out the application form here.  Indicate in your application that you have completed the prerequisites including a 200-hour yoga teacher training certification and one year of teaching experience. Please contact our Yoga Therapy Department at anapilar@myvinyasapractice.com.

 

Question: 

Do you require a deposit? 

 Answer: 

Yes, a $500 deposit is required when signing up for the IAYT-accredited Clinical Yoga Therapy Program.

 

Question: 

Can my year of teaching experience and personal practice run concurrently with my 300-hour training in order to qualify for the YT application process? 

Answer: 

Yes, your year of teaching experience and personal practice can run concurrently with your 300-hour training. 

 

Question: 

What trainings are included in Modules 1, 2, and 3?

Answer:

Module 1:

Module 1 is currently facilitated online. Module 1 provides dual credit for Yoga Alliance and the International Association of Yoga Therapy. It satisfies the yoga teacher training required to upgrade from a 200-hour RYT to 500-hour RYT and it serves as the foundation for our accredited Yoga Therapy Certification. You do not have to apply for the full program to enroll in Module 1. Below is an overview of Module 1- register online here.

Subtle Bodies | 30 Hours

Take an in-depth look at the subtle bodies that make up the human experience. Learn how the Panchamaya Kosha system integrates with the Nadi system and parallels the meridians. Learn how the physical body is connected to the astral and causal bodies and how physical disease moves from the subtle to the gross body. 

Adaptive Yoga | 40 Hours

Learn how to adapt yoga to meet the needs of special populations. In this course, you will learn how to create functional sequences and protocols for students who have mobility issues, require seated support, are confined to wheelchairs, need special modifications, and are blind, or deaf.

Trauma-Informed Yoga | 40 Hours

Our trauma-informed yoga certification is both a required course in module 1 and an independent certification. In the trauma-informed yoga course, students learn the mechanisms of trauma and how trauma is stored in the body. You learn the process of pendulation, titration, and pratipaksha bhavana and how to integrate these tools into asana, pranayama, and meditation. Students who complete the program will leave with the confidence and tools to work with large groups and individuals who have experienced trauma and are looking to heal through yoga.

Ayurveda | 40 hours

Our Ayurveda course teaches the history and foundations of Ayurveda, giving you appropriate knowledge of the sister science of yoga. Students will understand the tattvas, the tri-doshic system, the disease process, and the mechanisms of healing. This course is intended to provide foundational knowledge for personal and professional purposes.

Yoga Nidra | 40 hours

Our Yoga Nidra course teaches the history, foundations, and applications of Yoga Nidra. Students will learn the mechanisms of the practice and how it works on the cognitive function of the mind. Students will be able to teach three unique styles of Yoga Nidra and will have the confidence to use this transformative tool with multiple populations. 

Yoga Therapy Applications for Pranayama | 60 hours

In this course, students will learn the mechanisms and effects of pranayama on the physical and energetic body as it relates to mental perception. Students will learn multiple types of pranayama, contraindications, and teaching methods. Students can expect to be comfortable teaching pranayama in various settings.

Yoga Therapy Application for Anxiety | 40 hours

In this course, students will learn how to leverage the tools of asana, pranayama, and pratyahara to help clients find comfort and ease in the midst of symptoms of anxiety. 

General Mentorship | 30 hours

In this course, you will have the opportunity to work one on one with one of our senior teaching staff to help you develop the skills and confidence to begin working in professional clinical settings. Your mentor will help you find a work environment that will give you clinical experience as well as experience working with people one on one. This course is taught by all staff and is ongoing.

Module 2:

Trainees have the option to enroll in 8 out of the following 9 modules for certification.

Yoga For Recovery | 50 hours

In this course, students learn how to leverage the tools of yoga to help clients who are working through addiction. This course prepares students to work in group settings as well as one on one with clients. 

Biology of Yoga | 50 hours

In this course, students learn the biological mechanisms found in the Nadi system and how to leverage these mechanisms to improve the energetic function of the pranamaya kosha. Students will have a clinical understanding of how medication is processed through the Nadis and how it affects various organ systems in the body.

The Psychology Of Yoga | 50 hours

Students will learn the psychological mechanisms of the brainstem, midbrain, and frontal lobe and how they respond chemically and behaviorally to trauma, interpersonal conflict, environmental stress, and grief. Students will learn practical tools to hold space for clients in clinical settings while maintaining professional integrity and scope of work. 

Meridians & Marmas |50 hours

Students will learn about the meridians in the body and thoroughly understand how the marma points influence them. Students will learn how to incorporate the meridians of the body and the marma points into asana and pranayama practices designed to initiate change in the body. 

Sound Healing | 50 hours

Students will learn how frequency affects the Pancha Maya kosha system and how to use sound devices to influence and retune subtle frequencies in the body. Students will understand how these frequencies relate to the chakra system and how they can be used to foster balance in clients. 

Group Yoga Therapy | 50 hours

In this course, students will learn how to work with groups in clinical settings and alongside psychologists, social workers, and physicians. Students will learn how to complete SOAP notes and how to create the individual protocol.

Yoga Therapy For Memory Loss | 56 hours

In this training, students will learn how to work with clients experiencing memory loss from traumatic brain injury or dementia and Alzheimer's. Students will learn bilateral techniques to help create new neurological pathways designed to strengthen their client’s physical and cognitive abilities. 

Yoga Therapy Interventions | 56 hours

In this course, students will learn how to use yoga as a therapeutic intervention. Students will learn how to assess their clients, how to create a comprehensive care plan for their clients, and how to monitor progress over time. 

Pre & Post Operative Interventions | 40 hours

Understand and possess knowledge of common pathologies requiring surgical intervention. Understand the mechanisms that manifest the pathologies within the body including general wear and tear on structural components of the body, bone loss and disk degeneration, muscular degeneration, and accidental damage. Understand how to develop practical care plans for individuals preparing for surgery or for those in recovery. Understand the Yoga Therapists' scope of work in the physical rehabilitation process. 

Module 3:

In Module 3, students are required to complete 150 hours of practicum internship where they work one-on-one with clients or small groups. Students have the option to work within our Free Online Yoga Therapy Clinic which is open to all MVP students across the world, or we can assist in finding an internship at a healthcare facility that reflects the specialty the yoga therapist-in-training is interested in working within at their place of residence if one is available.

 

Question:  

What if I cannot attend the live lectures (scheduling conflicts, work, etc)?

Answer: 

We require 70% attendance for each of the live-streamed lectures. You can watch the Zoom recording for any days or hours you may have missed.

 

Question: 

What’s the cost of the Clinical Yoga Therapy program? 

Answer:  

Students enrolling with a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Certification will enroll in Module 1 and be required to complete Modules 1, 2, and 3, costing $7,200. A $500 deposit is required to register you in the program and will be put toward the total cost.

 

Students enrolling with a 500-Hour Yoga Teacher Certification can transfer coursework from their 300-hour training. Students wishing to transfer coursework from a 300-hour training will have their transfer credits assessed against our Module 1 curriculum. Only coursework comparable to MVP’s Module 1 curriculum/coursework will be accepted for transfer credits.  Potential trainees can transfer in up to 300 hours of comparable equivalent coursework and will be enrolled in the Clinical Yoga Therapy Bridge program along with Modules 2 & 3, costing $6,570. A $500 deposit is required to register you in the program and will be put toward the total cost.

 

Students who are enrolled in or have completed our Applied Yoga: Clinical Application of Hatha Yoga can transfer directly into Modules 2 and 3, costing $4,700. A $500 deposit is required to enroll you in the program and will be put toward the total cost.

 

Question:  

Do the YT for anxiety, YT for depression, Pranayama, or any other stand-alone modules count towards YT certification completion? 

Answer: 

No stand-alone modules count towards your yoga therapy certification. In the yoga therapy program, you’ll have access to Pranayama and Yoga Therapy for Anxiety.  The self-developmental mini-courses or MVP School courses and trainings purchased online are not affiliated with the Yoga Therapy Program; they are for your own self-study and personal development.  

 

Question: 

Can I get my money back if I purchased the Pranayama & Breathwork certification (not affiliated with our Yoga Therapy Program) and am now in the Yoga Therapy program? 

Answer:   

Refunds are only available 30 days after purchase.

 

Question: 

What’s the book list for Module 1 and Module 2?

Answer:  

Reading Materials: 

Module 1: 

• “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” translated by Bernard Bouanchaud or Georg Feurstein “The Bhagavad Gita” translated by Eknath Easwaran 
• “The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice” by TKV Desikachar 
• “Yoga for Wellness” by Gary Kraftsow 
• “Light on Pranayama” by BKS Iyengar 
• “Adaptive Yoga Moves Any Body” by Mindy Eisenberg 
• “Ayurveda: The Science of Self Healing” by Dr. Vasant Lad 
• “Yoga Nidra” by Swami Satyananda Saraswati 
• “The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma” by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D. 
• “In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Resources Goodness” by Peter A. Levine, Ph.D 

Module 2: 

• “Restoring the Brain: Neurofeedback as an Integrative Approach to Health” by Hanno W. Kirk 
• “The Psychology of Yoga: Integrating Eastern and Western Approaches for Understanding the Mind” by Georg Feuerstein 
• “Ayurveda and Marma Therapy: Energy Points in Yogic Healing” by Dr. David Frawley, Dr. Subhash Ranade, Dr. Avinash Lele 
• “Yoga and the Twelve-Step Path” by Kyczy Hawk 
• “Keep your Brain Alive: 83 Neurobic Exercises to Help Prevent Memory Loss and Increase Mental Fitness” by Lawrence C. Katz 
• “The Healing Power of Yoga” by Nischala Joy Devi 
• “How to Heal with Singing Bowls: Traditional Tibetan Healing Methods” by Suran Shurestha
•  “Mantra Yoga and Primal Sound: Secret of Seed Mantras” by David Frawley