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SOMA: Science Of Mindful Awareness
300-Hour Professional Yoga Therapy Training
GET CERTIFIED AS A PROFESSIONAL YOGA THERAPIST
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SOMA Professional Yoga Therapy Training program is an 300-hour program accredited by the International Association of Yoga Therapists. This program is led by Dr. Deborah Norris, and features senior faculty of The Mindfulness Center.
Now available online!
Become A Certified Yoga Therapist
THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS AND SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF YOGA FOR GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS
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Professional Yoga Therapy Training
DR. DEBORAH NORRIS
Deborah Norris, Ph.D. – Founder of The Mindfulness Center™; author of In the Flow: Bridging the Science and Practice of Mindfulness; and Editor-in-Chief of MindBodyJournal.com. Dr Norris is Psychologist-in-Residence and Director of the Psychobiology of Healing Program at American University, and past professor at Georgetown University Medical School.
Graduates of our Professional Yoga Therapy Training will be equipped to design and teach therapeutic yoga for groups and individuals with specific needs or health challenges. In this program, students will develop in-depth knowledge of the philosophy, theory, and application of yoga therapy as well as an understanding of scientific research methodology in the field of yoga therapy.
As a modular program offering rolling admission, students can work toward their full path of an 300-hour Yoga Therapy certification over the duration of 2+ years, giving them time to incorporate skills and gain practical experience. Our schedule features 5-day intensive modules “every other month” as well as asynchronous training on your own time, mentorship, and community practicum. Graduates will receive additional certification through The Mindfulness Center’s Meditation Teacher Training program. (Excludes transfer students.)
Prerequisites – Students entering our Professional Yoga Therapy Training program must have successfully completed a 200 Hr. Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher training (or equivalent) with a minimum of 1-year teaching experience and a minimum of 1 year of personal yoga practice (1 year teaching requirement may be completed concurrently). At the completion of our program, graduates are eligible to achieve their professional Yoga Therapy (C-IAYT) certification with the IAYT.
What's Included In The Program?
THE 800-HOUR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS
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Core Clinical Module: Professional Yoga Therapy Basics
The Core Clinical Module provides training in the range of tools and practices available to the yoga therapist, including asana, bandhas, mudra, and pranayama. In this module, students learn the application of yoga therapy for specific health conditions including pain, trauma, hypertension, neurological conditions, the side effects of chemotherapy, and more. Yoga Therapy is an inherently integrative practice, simultaneously affecting the body, mind, cognition, emotions and the breath. Students learn different viewpoints of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual tools of yoga therapy. This module teaches the knowledge, skills, and ability of a professional yoga therapist to work with a range of clinical conditions, in groups or individually. Yoga therapy is considered a process for self-exploration, discovery, and transformation.
Yoga Research & Science Certificate Module
Students who complete this module on Bridging the Ancient Practice and Modern Science of Healing along with Research Methodology in Yoga and Mind-Body Medicine will receive a certificate in Yoga Research. This certificate module in Yoga Therapy Science and Research is appropriate for anyone interested in conducting or assisting with the conduct of research in mind-body or other integrative approaches to health and well-being. It is also appropriate for yoga and other integrative practitioners who are interested in staying up-to-date on the most current medical science available in order to integrate state-of-the-art care into their practice.
Yoga Therapy For Mental Health Certificate Module
Students who complete the two modules on Principles of the Therapeutic Relationship and Yoga Therapy Principles & Skills will receive a Certificate in Yoga Therapy for Mental Health. This certification program is appropriate for mental health providers interested in the yoga therapy perspective on behavioral health and well-being. As well as yoga instructors looking to incorporate a greater understanding of the mental health benefits of yoga and meditation into their teaching.
Meditation Teacher Certificate Module
Become certified as a Mindfulness Meditation Instructor, with a specific focus on the therapeutic benefits and clinical application of mindfulness, for group or one-on-one instruction.
Beginners Ayurveda Certificate Module
Students in The Science of Ayurveda: A Translation between Two Cultures will gain knowledge of Ayurveda, the sister science to yoga that informs yoga therapy. Students will learn Ayurvedic principles for categorizing illness as well as common pathologies and disorders of all the major systems, including symptoms, management, illness trajectories, and contraindications, as relevant to the work of a yoga therapist. Students learn about setting priorities: symptoms/pacification (shamana [short term]) and purification/ strengthening (shodhana).
Mentorship
The Professional Yoga Therapy Training Mentorship component ensures students feel comfortable and supported in leading their Yoga Therapy Practicum, in which program participants will practice yoga therapy in supervised and unsupervised environments. Mentorship will cover documentation of practicum as well as protocol development and more.
Practicum
The Mindfulness Center offers an opportunity for our yoga therapists in training to provide clinical services in a supervised clinical environment through The Mindfulness Center. As a not-for-profit charitable, educational and research organization, The Mindfulness Center provides wellness services to our community. Supervised clinical practice experience provides students with the opportunity to lead yoga therapy sessions for both group and one-on-one client sessions; while also affording our community in need with yoga therapy services and classes. Students are required to contribute a minimum of 150 clinical hours to the community.
Professional Yoga Therapist Certificate
Conduct research in complementary and alternative medicine, write grants and proposals for other scientific funding opportunities. Work closely with the Executive Director, Dr. Deborah Norris. Apply the broad realm of the science of mind-body therapies, including theory, practice, mechanisms of action, clinical measures and outcomes, research design. Familiarity with federal granting agencies, their application procedures and interests, as well as private foundation sources of support. Post-doctoral and other post-graduate students may apply directly to Deborah Norris, Ph.D., Executive Director.
TOTAL YOGA THERAPY PROGRAM COST INCLUDES:
- Online Intro Module
- Thirteen-course intensives - live, online
- Certification in Mindfulness Meditation as Therapy included
- Certification in Yoga, Science & Research included
- Certification in Yoga Therapy for Mental Health included
- Practicum
- Yoga Therapy Mentorship
ADDITIONAL COSTS AND EXPENSES (NOT INCLUDED IN PROGRAM COST):
- Yoga Therapy Texts and other reading materials: $450-$600
- Yoga Therapy Program Materials and supplies: (Students are responsible for purchasing their own mats and equipment.)
- IAYT proctored Final Exam
$6,999 (Scholarship Pricing)
Regular Price: $12,590
Payment Plans Available
Scholarships Available
Open Enrollment
Refund/Cancellation Policy:
See Refund and Cancellation Policy on Program Enrollment Form for detail.
Deposit is nonrefundable.
Upcoming 2024 Dates:
(rolling admission, start at any time)
Fridays - Tuesdays, 9am-5pm Eastern
Jan 12-16 ~ Mar 8-12 ~ May 10-14
July 12-16 ~ Sept 13-17 ~ Nov 8-12
FACULTY
DEBORAH NORRIS PH.D., C-IAYT
FOUNDER/CEO
JESSIE TAYLOR ERYT20
CO-FOUNDER/EDUCATIONAL DIRECTOR
JAMES FOULKES
M.SC., C-IAYT
SENIOR FACULTY
ROBIN GLANTZ RYT500,C-IAYT
SENIOR FACULTY
MEGAN DOYLE JD, E-RYT, C-IAYT
MASTER FACULTY
DARRIN SOMMA M.S. C-IAYT
MASTER FACULTY
STEFFANY MOONAZ PH.D., C-IAYT
MASTER FACULTY
CHERYL BROWN C-IAYT
MASTER FACULTY
KAREN RIDER M.S.
MASTER FACULTY
KELLY STICKNEY M.S. C-IAYT
MASTER FACULTY
DIANNE GALLINO C-IAYT
MASTER FACULTY
ERIKA GANTER M.S. C-IAYT
MASTER FACULTY
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