Yoga Therapy
Australia’s largest community of Yoga Therapists
Yoga Therapy is the personalised application of yoga to support health, wellbeing, and meaningful participation in life. It works collaboratively with the person rather than focusing solely on diagnosis or symptoms. Through individually tailored practice, Yoga Therapy cultivates self-awareness, self-regulation, resilience and each person’s innate capacity for healing and adaptation.
Annual summits
Over the past three years our community have produced some of the most compelling Professional Development anywhere in Australian yoga. The Yoga Therapy Committee, a group of experienced practitioners who volunteer their time and expertise, has curated an annual summit series bringing world-class presenters into conversation with working Yoga Therapists on subjects of contemporary importance. Curated by and featuring the Yoga Therapy Committee: Fiona Donohoe-Bales, Rebel Tucker, Liz Bennett, and Liz Alabanis, our events have drawn presenters from Australia and abroad and produced more than eighteen hours of Professional Development resources. Each summit is available on demand as a CPD course worth six points.
Just Breathe
Summit 2026
The most provocative summit yet. Robin Rothenberg opened with a challenge to interrogate physiological aspects of breath. Drs Patricia Gerbarg and Richard Brown presented the science behind the Breath Body Mind program, including a study showing mind-body practice increasing GABA levels in the thalamus, and their work with veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD. Josh spoke with Sri Shubha, daughter of TKV Krishnamacharya, on the connection between chanting and prāṇāyāma.
Yoga for Mental Health
Summit 2025
More than six hours of interactive presentations from Australian and international leaders in Yoga Therapy and mental health. Gary Kraftsow presented on duḥkha paramparā, the wheel of action and consequence. Sat Bir Singh Khalsa brought the latest clinical evidence. Dr Lauren Tober explored how depression, anxiety, and trauma present in a yoga class. The program ranged from EMDR integration with Āyurveda to mantra for mental health.
Menopause
Summit 2024
The inaugural summit arrived the right moment with public enthusiasm for assistance with perimenopause and menopause. The program brought together perspectives from Āyurveda, physiotherapy, psychology and beyond, covering menopause as a transformational rite of passage, essential considerations for teaching āsana during menopause, hormonal changes demystified, and topics that rarely get airtime in professional settings.
New syllabus
We are releasing a new Yoga Therapy syllabus, an evolution of the standard we last revised in 2019, with the same body of competency and the same close alignment to IAYT, and a stronger emphasis on yogic foundations, a minimum 350 hours of teacher training with 650 hours of Yoga Therapy on top. It is ready to read now, and these are the changes.
- Seven sections that flow in order, from foundations through practicum to professional practice, easy to read.
- Competencies matched to the main curriculum, Becoming a Yoga Professional, where it exists, so Yoga Therapy belongs to the broader framework our Private Health contracts already name.
- Newer evidence and recognition cited, including the 2024 NHMRC review.
- Individualised practice design grounded in traditional principles, lived experience, and scope-appropriate support, distinct from protocolised “therapeutic yoga”.
Mind your wording
“Yoga Therapy” names a defined scope of practice and a level of training that general teaching does not reach. Used loosely in advertising it misleads clients, puts vulnerable people at risk, and erodes the standing of qualified therapists.
Similarly, there are a number of grey area terms to be aware of, including “clinical”, “counselling”, and “coaching”. There is an important test for use of these terms. Simply, does the word claim more training or scope than you possess? An example: “clinically informed” points at evidence, while “clinical practice” indicates medical treatment, out of scope for most yoga teachers.
Clear training pathway
Yoga Australia’s educational standards for the training of Yoga Therapists set the benchmark in Australia, grounded in classical wisdom and contemporary health science, and built to honour the breadth of yoga traditions while keeping the rigour the profession requires. The sections run in order.
- Yoga Foundations
- Yoga and the Mind
- Health and Disease, the Yogic Perspective
- Biomedical and Psychological Foundations
- Yoga Therapy Tools and Skills
- Practicum
- Professional Practice
01
Yoga Australia Level 1 registration
A minimum of Level 1 teaching registration, the 350-hour teacher training qualification, or equivalent is the prerequisite, along with two years of regular personal practice.
02
Two years of teaching experience
A minimum of two years of regular yoga teaching, up to one year of which may be concurrent with Yoga Therapy training.
03
650 hours of Yoga Therapy training
A minimum of 650 hours over at least two years in an accredited program, with 500 hours of core curricular learning and a 150-hour practicum completing the total.
04
150 hours of supervised practicum
The practicum covers intake, assessment, session delivery, and therapeutic relationship management under mentorship, building confidence and competence before independent practice.
Scope of Practice resources
Yoga Therapists do not diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure disease, and never advise clients to stop or change medication or medical treatment.
Yoga Australia exceeds the IAYT standard by requiring red-flag screening, supervision and a referral network, and recommending a client information document.
Scope of Practice for Yoga Therapists
This Scope of Practice sets out what a Yoga Therapist is qualified to do, what falls outside that scope, and the legal and ethical requirements that apply to practice in Australia.
- Yoga Therapy and Yoga Teaching
- Activities Within Scope
- Activities Outside Scope
- Additional Qualifications and Consented Touch
Professional Obligations for Yoga Therapists
This course outlines the professional obligations and best practices of Yoga Australia Registered Yoga Therapists.
- Red Flags and Referral
- Client Information, Consent, and Records
- Advertising and Claims
- Codes of Conduct
Reading for Yoga Therapists
Across Yoga Today you will find a growing library of articles on therapeutic yoga that set Yoga Therapy apart from general instruction. These are some of the pieces most relevant to Yoga Therapists and to teachers considering the Yoga Therapy pathway.
The Integrity of Yoga Therapy
Rebel Tucker, with over thirty years working alongside traditional medicine as a naturopath and Yoga Therapist, reflects on the risks of diluting yoga’s depth through shortcuts and under-qualified offerings, and advocates for robust standards, collaboration, and clear scope of practice to protect both clients and the profession.
From Injury to Insight
Robin Rothenberg has been a dedicated Yoga Therapist for nearly forty years and is the current IAYT Board President. Her journey began with chronic pain and autoimmune issues, evolved through Iyengar and Viniyoga traditions, and led to a landmark study showing 78% of participants with low back pain achieving significant pain reduction through Yoga Therapy.
Advancing the Profession
A comprehensive look at Yoga Therapy in Australia and the direction the profession is taking, covering the reinstatement of private health eligibility, the importance of defining Yoga Therapy’s scope of practice, and the case for NDIS accessibility, professional referral pathways, and compliance with national and international standards.
Managing Back Pain with Yoga
One in six Australians reports back pain, making it the leading cause of disability in the country and the most common reason for lost work productivity. Ruth Gent from Dru Yoga offers educational prompts on red flags and referrals, the current research, scope of practice boundaries, and the therapeutic toolkit yoga provides for this pervasive condition.
Mental Health Through the Yogic Lens
An exploration of how classical yoga philosophy and contemporary psychology converge in the understanding and treatment of mental health conditions, examining yoga’s capacity to address the roots of psychological distress through practices grounded in tradition and increasingly supported by clinical research.
Navigating Endometriosis with Yoga
A therapeutic guide for yoga teachers and therapists working with students who live with endometriosis, covering the condition’s impact, the evidence base for yoga as a complementary approach, and the practical considerations for adapting practice to support pain management, nervous system regulation, and quality of life.
Questions we hear often
What is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga is a scientific system of self-investigation, self-transformation, and self-realisation that originated in India, rooted in the Vedas and carried in classical texts and a living oral tradition.
Yoga therapy applies āsana, prāṇāyāma, meditation, mantra, chanting, mudrā, ritual and a disciplined lifestyle in a therapeutic context, to deepen self-awareness and move a client toward their goals. It works to ease the symptoms that cause suffering, improve function, address the underlying causes of illness, and change a person’s relationship to their condition. It draws on its sister science, Āyurveda, and today on contemporary health science and a growing body of research.
What is the difference between a yoga teacher and a Yoga Therapist?
A yoga teacher leads group or individual sessions grounded in the practices and philosophy of yoga. A Yoga Therapist applies those same practices therapeutically, working with individual clients to address specific health conditions, manage symptoms, and support recovery. The distinction lies in the depth of assessment, the individualisation of practice, and the therapeutic framework within which practice takes place. Yoga Therapists undergo specialised training beyond their teaching qualifications, including supervised practicum, biomedical foundations, and therapeutic relationship skills.
How do I become a registered Yoga Therapist with Yoga Australia?
You will need a minimum of Yoga Australia Level 1 teaching registration, which reflects a 350-hour teacher training qualification, along with at least two years of teaching experience, two years of regular personal practice, a current First Aid certificate, and completion of a Yoga Therapy training course of at least 650 hours over a minimum two-year period, including 150 hours of supervised practicum. On completion of a Yoga Australia registered course the application fee is $33 including GST. For courses completed outside the Yoga Australia system the fee is $66 including GST, and the annual registration renewal is $33 including GST.
Can my clients claim private health rebates for Yoga Therapy?
Yoga Therapy qualified members with five years of teaching experience and Yoga Australia registration at Level 2 or above are eligible for the provider recognition pathway, under which clients can claim Yoga Therapy sessions through their private health insurance in the same way they would claim physiotherapy. Provider credentialing is being finalised between Yoga Australia and participating funds through 2026. Visit the private health page for full details and to apply.
What is the Yoga Therapy Committee?
The Yoga Therapy Committee is a group of experienced Yoga Therapy practitioners who volunteer their time and expertise to advance the profession within Yoga Australia. The committee curates the annual summit series, develops educational standards, advises on policy matters relating to Yoga Therapy, and represents the interests of Yoga Therapy qualified members. It is one of the most active and productive committees within the organisation.
Yoga Therapy · Specialisation Standard
Section 1 · Yoga Foundations (50h)
C3 · Understand Foundational Yoga Teachings and Philosophy
Curriculum Competency 3 · Yoga Foundations
Applied yoga philosophy, psychology, and therapy insights drawn from classical sources, including Vedic and post-Vedic texts (Upaniṣads), Sāṃkhya philosophy, the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali, the Bhagavad Gītā, Yoga Vāsiṣṭha, basics of Tantra, and the Āyurveda links to yoga.
C1 · Apply the vyūha Framework for Practice Planning
Curriculum Competency 1 · Class Design
Symptoms (heya), causes (hetu), goals (hanā), and tools (upāya).
C2 · Understand saṃprāpti (Disease Progression)
Curriculum Competency 2 · Human Systems
Onset (ārambha), direction (diśā), intensity (tīvratā), and duration (kāla).
Section 2 · Yoga and the Mind (50h)
C3 · Understand the Structure and States of the Mind
Curriculum Competency 3 · Yoga Foundations
Seer (draṣṭa) and seen (dṛśya); the inner instrument (antaḥkaraṇa: buddhi, ahaṃkāra, manas, citta); activities and states of mind (citta vṛtti, citta pariṇāma, vyutthāna, nirodha); states of consciousness (vaiśvānara, taijasa, prajñā, turīya); practice, equanimity, and discernment (abhyāsa, vairāgya, viveka).
C3 · Recognise Conditions of Mental Disturbance
Curriculum Competency 3 · Yoga Foundations
Afflictions (kleśa-s), greed, anger, attachment, suffering (duḥkha), negative attitude (daurmanasya), identification with mind (sārūpyam), and obstacles (antārāya).
Section 3 · Health and Disease, the Yogic Perspective (50h)
C2 & C3 · Integrate Yoga and Āyurveda Health Concepts
Curriculum Competency 2 · Human Systems & Curriculum Competency 3 · Yoga Foundations
Subtle anatomy (pañcamaya kośa-s, nāḍī-s, cakra-s, prāṇa-vāyu-s, prāṇa prakopa), three bio-energetic forces (tri-doṣa), three qualities (tri-guṇa), constitution and imbalance (prakṛti / vikṛti), amā, agni, sūrya, candra, expansion (bṛmhaṇa), and contraction (laṅghana).
C2 & C3 · In-Depth Knowledge of Categorising Illness
Curriculum Competency 2 · Human Systems & Curriculum Competency 3 · Yoga Foundations
Pathogenesis (saṃprāpti), direction, intensity, onset, duration, and setting priorities between short-term pacification (śamana) and long-term purification and strengthening (śodhana).
Section 4 · Biomedical and Psychological Foundations (150h)
C2 · Explain Human Systems
Curriculum Competency 2 · Human Systems
Major body systems and interrelations relevant to Yoga Therapy (musculoskeletal, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, reproductive, cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, sensory), biomechanics, movement, alignment analysis, and adaptations for musculoskeletal issues, mobility limitations, and chronic pain; integration of traditional yogic physiology with modern biomedical understanding.
C2 & C4 · Apply Additional Biomedical Knowledge
Curriculum Competency 2 · Human Systems & Curriculum Competency 4 · Business and Legal
Common pathologies, illness aetiologies and prognoses, drugs and surgery basics, medical terminology, and researching current health information relevant to Yoga Therapy.
C2 · Understand Psychology and Mental Health
Curriculum Competency 2 · Human Systems
Common conditions from distress to psychiatric disorders, psychological concepts (mood, cognition, behaviour, personality), key psychological models, and mapping yoga concepts to modern psychology.
C7 · Yogic Counselling Frameworks
Curriculum Competency 7 · Communication
Yogic counselling principles (self-awareness, ātma vicāra, mindfulness, vairāgya), reflective questioning and dialogue based on yogic philosophy, and supporting clients in identifying habitual patterns and triggers (svādhyāya).
C6 & C7 · Body-Mind Integration
Curriculum Competency 6 · Techniques and Practices & Curriculum Competency 7 · Communication
Integrating āsana, prāṇāyāma, meditation, bandhas, and mudrās for emotional regulation; interaction of body, breath, mind, intellect, and emotions; breath-based and somatic interventions.
C7 & C10 · Trauma-Informed Yoga Approaches
Curriculum Competency 7 · Communication & Curriculum Competency 10 · Scope of Practice
Understanding trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn), recognising signs of trauma, adapting practices for choice, consent, grounding, and pacing, and safe strategies for managing emotional and physiological events.
Section 5 · Yoga Therapy Tools and Skills (170h)
C6 · Apply Yoga Tools Therapeutically
Curriculum Competency 6 · Techniques and Practices
Therapeutic application, contraindications, and precautions across yama and niyama, āsana, prāṇāyāma, meditation (pratyāhāra, dhāraṇā, dhyāna, samādhi), bandha, mantra, bhāvanā, nyāsa, mudrā, vihāra, and śatkarma.
C5 & C7 · Maintain the Therapeutic Alliance
Curriculum Competency 5 · Teaching Methodology & Curriculum Competency 7 · Communication
Well-developed communication skills (listening, presence, directive and non-directive dialogue), adapting to client needs with measurable parameters, managing subtle dynamics in the therapeutic relationship, and assessing the need for referral within scope of practice.
C5 & C7 · Educate Clients and Groups
Curriculum Competency 5 · Teaching Methodology & Curriculum Competency 7 · Communication
Implementing effective teaching methods, transmitting self-awareness and self-responsibility, developing individualised practice strategies, translating preparation into practicum delivery, and designing and evaluating group programs.
Section 6 · Practicum (150h)
C1 & C5 · Provide Intake and Assessment
Curriculum Competency 1 · Class Design & Curriculum Competency 5 · Teaching Methodology
Conducting intake and assessment across physical, energetic, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions, identifying client goals, developing a working assessment, and triaging short- and long-term priorities.
C5 & C6 · Deliver and Adapt Sessions
Curriculum Competency 5 · Teaching Methodology & Curriculum Competency 6 · Techniques and Practices
Applying śamana, śodhana, and bṛmhaṇa strategies, selecting and modifying practices for individual or group settings, and facilitating client practice using multimodal strategies and between-session support.
C7 & C8 · Maintain the Therapeutic Relationship, and Review
Curriculum Competency 7 · Communication & Curriculum Competency 8 · Review Performance
Fostering trust, privacy, confidentiality, and safety; culturally respectful client-centred communication; gathering feedback, re-assessing and refining practice; and supporting completion of the therapeutic engagement.
Section 7 · Professional Practice (30h)
C9 & C4 · Understand Ethics and Legal Responsibilities
Curriculum Competency 9 · Ethics & Curriculum Competency 4 · Business and Legal
Yoga ethics alongside healthcare codes of conduct, practising within scope and referral boundaries, local, state, and national laws and regulations for non-registered health practitioners, and record-keeping, planning, and financial management.
C12 & C7 · Develop Professional Relationships
Curriculum Competency 12 · Contribute to the Profession & Curriculum Competency 7 · Communication
Understanding other healthcare fields and maintaining collaborative relationships and referral pathways with allied and medical health practitioners and organisations.
C8 & C11 · Commit to Ongoing Growth
Curriculum Competency 8 · Review Performance & Curriculum Competency 11 · Personal Practice
Ongoing personal practice, long-term mentorship, continuing education, and seeking case consultation and supervision.
Clear training pathway
Yoga Australia Level 1 registration. A minimum of Level 1 teaching registration, the 350-hour teacher training qualification, or equivalent is the prerequisite, along with two years of regular personal practice.
Two years of teaching experience. A minimum of two years of regular yoga teaching, up to one year of which may be concurrent with Yoga Therapy training.
650 hours of Yoga Therapy training. A minimum of 650 hours over at least two years in an accredited program, with 500 hours of core curricular learning and a 150-hour practicum completing the total.
150 hours of supervised practicum. The practicum covers intake, assessment, session delivery, and therapeutic relationship management under mentorship, building confidence and competence before independent practice.
Assessment
Applicants address each competency of this standard in writing. Documentary evidence comprises training records for the 650 hours of Yoga Therapy training, including the 150-hour supervised practicum, and a statement of personal practice.
Yoga Australia staff review the application and may request a conversation or follow-up.
Credential
Award. Teachers assessed to this standard receive the badge and are listed in the public teacher directory. Provisional members may train and be assessed, and their competencies bank toward future upgrades. Badge and directory listing awarded only when teachers reach Level 1 or beyond.
Verification. Badges are signed Open Badges 3.0 credentials issued to individual teachers. Each badge cites this standard as its criteria and lists the competencies it certifies. Members keep the issued badge file themselves and can show it to anyone. The registration listing behind each badge shows whether its holder is current, and a badge is revoked when its holder leaves the level.
Assurance. Staff assess to the principles of assessment and the rules of evidence used in Australian vocational education. Each competency is assessed to its statement in this standard. Assessors record the decision and its date, the competencies found met, and the certificates read. The association validates the assessment it conducted and confirms the submitted documentation is genuine.
Register as a Yoga Therapist
Applications are open to Registered Level 1 Teachers and above.
Staff assess each application to the published standard.
Log in to apply.
