Therapeutic Yoga is a blend of restorative yoga, gentle yoga, breathwork, hands-on healing, and guided meditation techniques combined in such a way that makes it an excellent choice for those who need a gentle yet effective practice for bringing the body into balance.
In place since 1998, the Therapeutic Yoga Training Program gives yoga teachers the skills to work intelligently with students who are living with chronic illness or injury, as well as pregnant and aging populations. Knowing how to work with these groups will deepen your confidence as a teacher, expand the range of private clients you can work with, and increase the types of classes you can offer. In addition to yoga teachers, our graduates include nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, acupuncturists, and other healthcare professionals, who are able to integrate the techniques taught in the training into patient care. Many graduates of the training have taken Therapeutic Yoga into hospitals, hospices, homecare situations, and other areas of healthcare.
Our certified training program is available as both Level I and Level II. Both trainings are 40-hours/6-days and are hosted at yoga centers across the US. All graduates take home a comprehensive manual (150 pages for Level I, 180 pages, for Level II) and a certificate of completion. We also offer the Level I training in a residential format once a year at the beautiful White Lotus retreat center for those seeking an immersive experience. Graduation from the Level I training is required prior to attending the Level II training.
Our comprehensive and highly refined curriculum for Level I includes:
• Physiology of stress and relaxation
• Anatomy from the yogic perspective
• Benefits and contraindications of each posture
• Effect of posture on acupuncture meridians
• Implications of scar tissue and adhesions
• Sequencing guidelines for poses
• Integrating postures with breath work and guided meditation
• Incorporating hands-on healing techniques
• Supporting healing in students or clients
• Learn how to give one on one Therapeutic Yoga sessions
Level I Details| Level II Details
The training is both didactic and experiential. Morning lectures are combined with multimedia presentations and interactive learning. In the afternoons, one-on-one private sessions are demonstrated with guest clients who are in a healing process due to injury or illness. The demos include three restorative poses, gentle yoga, breathwork, hands-on healing, and guided meditation techniques. The afternoon completes with the participants of the training partnering up to give and receive sessions using the techniques just demonstrated. By the time participants have completed the training, they have taught all sixteen restorative poses as well as received and experienced them in their own body through the partner sessions. Many graduates have expressed that this enables them to start teaching the material right away upon graduating from the training.
The program is taught by Cheri Clampett and Arturo Peal. Cheri has been teaching yoga teachers for over 20 years and is the founder of the Therapeutic Yoga Training Program. Cheri is the co-author of the Therapeutic Yoga Kit (Inner Traditions, 2009). Arturo Peal has a masters degree in Chinese medicine, received his acupuncture certification in 1998, is a certified yoga teacher, and has been a featured instructor at many schools of healing.
At the heart of the Therapeutic Yoga Training Program is the intention to bring the healing power of yoga to those in need. We have seen many of our graduates start successful Therapeutic Yoga programs in hospitals, cancer centers, senior centers, and wellness centers nationwide, as well as incorporate this gentler style of yoga into their private practices and ongoing classes at yoga centers.
“Wonderful course! Practical knowledge I will be able to use presented in a loving and kind environment.” – Kathy G., Arroyo Grande, CA