01/22/2026
Yoga Therapy, both as a profession and as a practice, is very near and dear to me.
The heart of our Viniyoga lineage is the relationship that develops over time between a student and their individual teacher. And my perspective and practice of Yoga Therapy is rooted in this essential pillar of our lineage.
For some time now I have been paying attention to previous plans IAYT has had to offer a 300-hour Yoga Therapist Certification (IAYT-Q) track for qualified Western Medical practitioners and their current plans to offer a 300 Hour Yoga Therapy Foundations Pathway in its place.
I believe this to be an existential error.
The question at hand is, what is Yoga Therapy? And there are two ways to answer the question.
In one, Western Allopathic understandings of the human system are dominant. In this case Yoga is subsumed under, and becomes a subset/form of, physical exercise, physical therapy, mental health, or other Western health and wellness modalities. Additionally, in this perspective, the relationship between student and teacher is often reduced to situational short-term need rather than systemic shift and healing over time.
In the other, the Indian continent's understandings of the human system are dominant, the anatomies and physiologies from which Yoga emerged over the past millennium are recognized as legitimate and efficacious, and are not secondary to Allopathic approaches. Every aspect of any treatment is approached through the lens of Yoga first. And the relationship between the student and the teacher is the foundation for healing and transformation. I have written more in depth on this here: Yoga Bodies, Yoga Minds
It is self-evident, I believe, that an organization which is founded on Yoga, as the International Association of Yoga Therapists claims to be, ought to understand this fundamental difference and demonstrate that understanding through its actions and policies.
There are no fast tracks on this path.
As practitioners of Yoga Therapy, we should not accept reductions in our accreditation paths. In truth, they are already too short, and shortening them only further discounts our knowledge and unique approach to the human system. I support all who continue to pressure IAYT to stop development of these types of programs. And I call upon IAYT to return to an understanding of Yoga that emphasizes its original knowledge framework and to lead with that at the forefront of every decision they make.
To my community members, I invite you to join me Tuesday January 27th at 11:30amPT/2:30PM ET for a deeper discussion on Yoga Therapy, where we are headed, and what the future could look like.
The Zoom link to join this discussion is at the link below.
Sincerely,
Chase
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83462203532?pwd=5a0J0gsh0eCwgDgFtTxPxyQwaJZuXt.1
