I hope this finds you well and enjoying the abundance of the fall colours.
I am thrilled to share with you that along with being Certified through both of the Yoga Therapy schools I have attended, I am now a Certified IAYT Yoga Therapist.
What is the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)?
The IAYT is the governing board for Yoga Therapy. The IAYT’s definition of Yoga Therapy is:
“the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and wellbeing through the application of the teachings and practices of yoga.”
From the IAYT framework for Yoga Therapists:
“The goals of yoga therapy include eliminating, reducing, and/or managing symptoms that cause suffering; improving function; helping to prevent the occurrence or re-occurrence of underlying causes of illness; and moving toward improved health and wellbeing.”
Why is my becoming an IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist important for you?
IAYT Scope of Practice Framework: “An IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) has undertaken specialized training beyond that of a yoga teacher, in accordance with the IAYT’s Educational Standards for the Training of Yoga Therapists” or has met IAYT’s requirements for grandparenting professionals. IAYT Certified Yoga Therapists adhere to the professional ethics, guidelines, and codes relating to the practice of yoga therapy as defined by the IAYT and commit to not making false or inaccurate claims about yoga’s therapeutic and healing capacities.”
Why is my becoming an IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist important for me?
After six years of developing Yoga Therapy standards for Yoga Therapy schools, the IAYT began accrediting individual schools in 2014. There are currently only 25 schools in the world that have become accredited. Both of the Yoga Therapy schools that I have attended, Functional Synergy and Yoga North International SomaYoga Institute, have been accredited by the IAYT.
This past May the IAYT began to accept applications for individual Yoga Therapists to become Certified. As an IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist I am confident that I have met the requirements that the IAYT has established to improve one’s health and wellbeing.
The following are some of the health concerns from people who have experienced Yoga Therapy with me resulting in eliminating, reducing, and/or managing symptoms:
- neck pain
- shoulder immobility
- rotator cuff injuries
- thoracic outlet syndrome
- back pain
- sacroiliac pain
- scoliosis
- hip or knee pain or recovery from replacement surgery
- hip flexor pain
- shin splints
- jaw pain – TMJ
- bursitis
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- whiplash
- arthritis
- insomnia
- sciatica
- fibromyalgia
- lupus
- multiple sclerosis
- stress and anxiety
- balance issues
The journey to receive this certification has been an incredible experience. I am truly grateful to all of the teachers who have shared their support and knowledge to teach me how to best serve others as a Yoga Therapist. I am also grateful to the clients I have shared this practice with who have believed, practiced and improved their wellbeing through receiving these teachings.
Blessings,
Alana
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
