For example, a health care provider who provides yoga therapy to those with cerebral palsy may specialize in treating these individuals in yoga therapy.
Courses may also include components of clinical massage and Pilates. 
Whether you are just beginning your career as a yoga therapist or you have been working in the field for many years, becoming a certified yoga therapist can take you to the next level of physical and mental health. The first step, however, is having a strong education and background in the many facets of yoga therapy. This begins with teacher training. There are seven core areas of study, skills, knowledge, and expertise that all good yoga teachers rely on:Anatomy and Physiology: This encompasses the physical description and function of the body and the various systems of the human body.
At least 75 hours of anatomy and physiology courses will satisfy the national board for yoga therapy. You will learn the structures and function of the organs, tissues, bones, muscles, blood, hormones, and fluids. Anatomy and physiology courses will also give students the knowledge of how the body is put together and how to test for functional abnormalities and identify the causes of them. Practicality: This includes knowledge of how to perform various yoga therapy exercises, how to assess an individual’s health status, how to design therapeutic treatment plans, how to make diagnostic charts, and how to give instructions to patients.
In addition to taking anatomy and physiology classes, aspiring therapists should also take a course in practical skills. These include understanding how to massage clients properly, how to create a treatment plan according to the patient’s needs, and how to implement the treatment plan. Other training programs in this area include training in aromatherapy, prenatal massage, reflexology, Pilates, Tui na, and more. Knowledge: Learning anatomy and physiology are only part of the requirements for licensure as a yoga therapist. To become certified, graduates must also complete a one-on-one teaching program in human anatomy and physiology. To qualify, therapists must demonstrate knowledge of how to diagnose certain physical problems and how to treat them, provide instruction to patients on how to perform therapeutic movements, instruct patients on how to use physical therapy equipment, show how to obtain postures, explain the uses and benefits of therapeutic yoga therapy, describe the anatomy and physiology of the skeletal and muscular systems, show how patients can prevent injury, explain the pathology of injured tissues and organs, and more.
The program for this degree includes teaching students the fundamentals of teaching, professional conduct, ethics, and professionalism. Certifications and licenses: To become a certified yoga teacher, graduates must pass a certified yoga teacher training program, which typically involves at least two years of study. The curriculum and teachings of the course will focus on anatomy and physiology as well as basic management and applied kinesiology. Students also learn how to instruct yoga students, how to teach modifications to yoga exercises, how to prepare and give instructions to students, practice yoga positions, understand and demonstrate yoga poses, practice meditation, learn how to select a practice method that suits the needs of students, follow basic safety precautions, and more.
Candidates may also be required to successfully pass an examination that demonstrates a sense of knowledge about yoga. Licenses must be renewed periodically and must be attested by the National Certification Board for Teachers or the Yoga Alliance. Certification: After becoming certified, yoga therapists may find employment at clinics, hospitals, wellness centers, schools, rehabilitation centers, spas, yoga studios, private homes, resorts, hotels, offices, studios, or any other place in which people experience pain or need therapeutic treatment. They can also work in research, education, counseling, or publishing.
Some therapists begin their careers in research and education, while others begin their careers in practice. Many yoga therapists choose to work with patients who have chronic illnesses or disabilities. For example, a health care provider who provides yoga therapy to those with cerebral palsy may specialize in treating these individuals in yoga therapy. The International Yoga Therapy Certification Board offers a written examination as well as a skills test that must be passed before becoming a full-fledged certified Yoga therapist. Students will gain clinical expertise through supervised clinical experience in a state-of-the art facility that has a proven record of following up on students and providing them with on-going support.
