Yoga Therapy Diploma
Trauma-Informed | Anti-Oppressive | Accessible | Eight Limb Yoga
Trauma-Informed | Anti-Oppressive | Accessible | Eight Limb Yoga
Indigenous-led by Dr. Melissa Jay, alongside our incredible faculty!
Tawow! Welcome!
Our 800-Hour Yoga Therapy Diploma is designed to support helping professionals in learning how to offer yoga therapy within their communities through relational, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care.
What is Yoga Therapy?
The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) defines yoga therapy as: “The professional application of the principles and practices of yoga to promote health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship that includes personalized assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management, and yoga practices for individuals or small groups.”
Our Approach
- Patanjali's Eight limbs
- Wholistic care
- Trauma-informed
- Culturally responsive
- Community-centred
Flexible Learning Structure
two-year blend of live + self-paced + mentorship
What is Yoga Therapy?
The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) defines yoga therapy as: “The professional application of the principles and practices of yoga to promote health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship that includes personalized assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management, and yoga practices for individuals or small groups.”
Our Approach
- Patanjali's Eight limbs
- Wholistic care
- Trauma-informed
- Culturally responsive
- Community-centred
Flexible Learning Structure
two-year blend of live + self-paced + mentorship
Decolonization, Anti-Oppression, and Social Justice
At Canmore Counselling & the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School, we believe wholeheartedly that community, social justice, decolonization, anti-oppression, and anti-racism are inherent to trauma-informed care.
We are committed to co-creating learning spaces that support ongoing learning, unlearning, reflection, and relational accountability.
We are committed to co-creating learning spaces that support ongoing learning, unlearning, reflection, and relational accountability.
Program Overview & Structure
Our program is structured into two main parts: Part 1 (Coursework) & Part 2 (Practicum & Mentorship)
Our two-year program combines 610 hours of coursework with 190 hours of practicum and mentorship. The program is designed to support your development as a yoga therapist through experiential practice, academic learning, and professional growth.
Learners can move through the coursework in an order that best supports their lives, learning goals, and capacity, while receiving ongoing mentorship and guidance throughout the program.
Part 1: 610-Hours Coursework
Learners can choose the order of course completion, including live virtual courses & self-paced courses, which include:
Live, Virtual Courses:
YT 300, Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology Certification (300 hours)
YT 301, Yoga Nidra Certification (41 hours)
YT 302, Pre & Post-Natal Certification (85 hours)
YT 303, Yoga Psychology for Kids & Teens Certification (95 hours)
Self-Paced Teachable Courses:
YT 200, Yoga Therapy Foundations (10 hours)
YT 201, Being Trauma-Informed (21 hours)
YT 203, Decolonizing Care (37 hours, coming soon)
YT 204, Heart-Based Business Academy (23 hours)
Part 2: 190-Hours Practicum & Mentorship
Once learners have completed 610 hours of courses, completion, student can begin their practicum & mentorship. All course work must be completed prior to practicum & mentorship.
150-Hour Practicum:
Offering 1:1 and Group Yoga Therapy
40-Hour Mentorship:
1:1 mentorship (30-hours) and Group Seminars (10-hours)
Please see the course visual below:
Our program is structured into two main parts: Part 1 (Coursework) & Part 2 (Practicum & Mentorship)
Our two-year program combines 610 hours of coursework with 190 hours of practicum and mentorship. The program is designed to support your development as a yoga therapist through experiential practice, academic learning, and professional growth.
Learners can move through the coursework in an order that best supports their lives, learning goals, and capacity, while receiving ongoing mentorship and guidance throughout the program.
Part 1: 610-Hours Coursework
Learners can choose the order of course completion, including live virtual courses & self-paced courses, which include:
Live, Virtual Courses:
YT 300, Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology Certification (300 hours)
YT 301, Yoga Nidra Certification (41 hours)
YT 302, Pre & Post-Natal Certification (85 hours)
YT 303, Yoga Psychology for Kids & Teens Certification (95 hours)
Self-Paced Teachable Courses:
YT 200, Yoga Therapy Foundations (10 hours)
YT 201, Being Trauma-Informed (21 hours)
YT 203, Decolonizing Care (37 hours, coming soon)
YT 204, Heart-Based Business Academy (23 hours)
Part 2: 190-Hours Practicum & Mentorship
Once learners have completed 610 hours of courses, completion, student can begin their practicum & mentorship. All course work must be completed prior to practicum & mentorship.
150-Hour Practicum:
Offering 1:1 and Group Yoga Therapy
40-Hour Mentorship:
1:1 mentorship (30-hours) and Group Seminars (10-hours)
Please see the course visual below:
Application Requirements
- Proof of completion of a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (Yoga Alliance or equivalent)
- A completed application form with attached resume
- A short statement reflecting on your commitment to:
- decolonization,
- anti-racism,
- anti-oppressive practice,
- and social justice
- Consent to participate in an admissions interview with Melissa, Michael, and Alex
- A $750 CAD + GST non-refundable deposit (fully refunded if you are not accepted into the program)
Meeting the application requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.
Applications are reviewed thoughtfully to help ensure the program is a supportive, mutual fit for learners and the community.
Selected applicants may be invited to an admissions interview. The intention of the interview is relational, offering space for us to connect, learn more about one another, and explore whether the program aligns with your learning goals and intentions.
Tuition: Investing in Your Journey
We recognize that this program is a meaningful financial investment, and we aim to make tuition as flexible, transparent, and accessible as possible.
Enrollment is open until May 31st for June start.
Enrollment for September start will reopen in late June.
Tuition & Payment Options
The two-year 800-hour program includes:
Click below to view the detailed tuition options:
Enrollment is open until May 31st for June start.
Enrollment for September start will reopen in late June.
Tuition & Payment Options
- Alumni pricing is available: click here
- Tuition Special, available until March 31st
- Super Early-Bird, available until April 15th
- Early-Bird Tuition, available until May 24th
- Extended Payment Plan, available upon request
The two-year 800-hour program includes:
- 610 hours of coursework with pricing options starting at $7,930 + GST
- 190-hour practicum fee: $4000 + GST
Click below to view the detailed tuition options:
Applications Open for June 6th Start!
Once You are Enrolled:
Upon acceptance and enrollment, you will receive your first course
Yoga Therapy Foundations (10-hour self-paced)
This course supports you in:
Flexible Learning Stucture
- Applications accepted until May 31st, 2026
- Application review, within approximately two weeks of submission
- Admissions interview, selected applicants may be invited to meet with Melissa, Michael, and Alex
- Acceptance and welcome email, sent within approximately one week of acceptance
Once You are Enrolled:
Upon acceptance and enrollment, you will receive your first course
Yoga Therapy Foundations (10-hour self-paced)
This course supports you in:
- creating your personalized program plan,
- orienting to the Yoga Therapy Diploma,
- and exploring the foundational philosophies and frameworks woven throughout the program.
- We will support you in mapping out your learning journey based on your schedule, goals, and capacity.
Flexible Learning Stucture
- Self-paced courses may be completed anytime
- Live virtual courses are currently offered once yearly
- Learners can move through the coursework in the order that best supports their lives and learning journey
2026 Live Virtual Course Dates
2026 Dates
YT 301: Yoga Nidra Certification
YT 302: Pre & Post-Natal Certification
YT 303: Yoga Psychology for Kids & Teens Certification
2027 Dates
YT 300: Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology Certification
- Duration: 2 weekend modules
- Saturday, Sunday
- Dates: June 6-7 & June 20-21 ~ Apply by May 31st to get started in June
YT 302: Pre & Post-Natal Certification
- Duration: 85 hours over 4 weekends
- Saturday, Sunday
- Dates: Sep 11-13, Sep 25-27, Oct 9-11, Oct 23-25
YT 303: Yoga Psychology for Kids & Teens Certification
- Duration: 95 hours over 4 weekends
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday
- Dates: Nov 6-8, Nov 20-22, Dec 4-6, Dec 18-19
2027 Dates
YT 300: Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology Certification
- Duration: 8 weekend modules + additional Friday gatherings
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday
- Next offering: January 8th, 2027 - April 18th, 2027
Practicum & Mentorship
The practicum and mentorship phase begins after completion of all coursework within the Yoga Therapy Diploma. The intention of this phase is to support learners in transitioning from foundational and theoretical learning into applied, real-world yoga therapy practice with ongoing mentorship support.
150-Hour Practicum:
Community-Based Learning
Practicum experiences are completed within learners’ local communities with mentorship support provided through Canmore Counselling & the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School. Offerings might include virtual care, community organizations, clinics, studios, wellness spaces, and other spaces.
This approach supports learners in developing meaningful and accessible yoga therapy offerings within their communities.
150-Hour Practicum:
- 1:1 Yoga Therapy & Group Yoga Therapy
- Individual mentorship support & Small group integration seminars
Community-Based Learning
Practicum experiences are completed within learners’ local communities with mentorship support provided through Canmore Counselling & the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School. Offerings might include virtual care, community organizations, clinics, studios, wellness spaces, and other spaces.
This approach supports learners in developing meaningful and accessible yoga therapy offerings within their communities.
Dr. Melissa Jay is an Indigenous, nehiyaw-Métis member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. The primary location of Canmore Counselling and Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School is located in Chuwapchipchiyan Kudi Bi (translated from Îyârhe Nakoda as “shooting at the willows”), colonially known as Canmore. We are grateful to be located on Treaty 7 territory and the current and ancestral lands of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda), which includes of the Bearspaw First Nation, Chiniki First Nation, and Goodstoney First Nation, as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy, including the Siksika First Nation, Piikani First Nation, and Kainai First Nation. This is also the home to the Rocky View Métis District 4 within the Battle River Territory. We recognize all Nations who continue to nurture these lands, and we are dedicated to uplifting Truth, language, and culture as essential to right relations. As an act of reconciliation and commitment to decolonization, we are committed to the TRC's Calls to Action.
At Canmore Counselling, we are also privileged to be yoga students, practitioners, and guides. Our offerings centre on the root of yoga as Indigenous to South Asia, and we are grateful to learn from and amplify the South Asian practitioners and teachers whenever possible. We are grateful for the eight limbs of yoga, as taught by Patanjali. It is a joy to walk alongside our incredible alumni of the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School as they create opportunities for care, connection & curiosity within their communities.
We believe wholeheartedly that trauma-informed care requires commitment to community, social justice, decolonization, anti-oppression, and anti-racism. Thank you for being here :)
At Canmore Counselling, we are also privileged to be yoga students, practitioners, and guides. Our offerings centre on the root of yoga as Indigenous to South Asia, and we are grateful to learn from and amplify the South Asian practitioners and teachers whenever possible. We are grateful for the eight limbs of yoga, as taught by Patanjali. It is a joy to walk alongside our incredible alumni of the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School as they create opportunities for care, connection & curiosity within their communities.
We believe wholeheartedly that trauma-informed care requires commitment to community, social justice, decolonization, anti-oppression, and anti-racism. Thank you for being here :)