800-Hour Yoga Therapy Certification
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 Certification is designed to prepare helping professionals to offer yoga therapy in their communities.
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".
Yoga Therapy is rooted in the ancient wisdom of yoga, Indigenous to South Asia. Our approach to yoga therapy is rooted in Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga and wholistic, encompassing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of well-being. This integration ensures that our students graduate with a deep understanding of yoga's therapeutic potential, ready to support their clients' healing through evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices.
We centre trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and socially just practices, from a community-centred and decolonial approach to yoga therapy, amplifying Indigenous worldviews. This commitment guides our curriculum design, ensuring that we honour the cultural origins of yoga and challenge colonial narratives that have historically marginalized these rich and diverse practices. By doing so, we foster an inclusive and respectful learning environment that values the contributions of all cultures and promotes a deeper understanding of yoga's healing benefits.
By placing the rich philosophy and therapeutic practices of yoga at the heart of our program, we are dedicated to supporting future yoga therapists in learning how to share yoga therapy and, most importantly, how to live yoga by embodying the transformative and healing potential in their personal and professional lives.
Our two-year program is designed to accommodate diverse schedules and learning preferences through a blend of synchronous (live & online) and asynchronous (self-paced) learning, followed by practicum and mentorship.
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".
Yoga Therapy is rooted in the ancient wisdom of yoga, Indigenous to South Asia. Our approach to yoga therapy is rooted in Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga and wholistic, encompassing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of well-being. This integration ensures that our students graduate with a deep understanding of yoga's therapeutic potential, ready to support their clients' healing through evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices.
We centre trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and socially just practices, from a community-centred and decolonial approach to yoga therapy, amplifying Indigenous worldviews. This commitment guides our curriculum design, ensuring that we honour the cultural origins of yoga and challenge colonial narratives that have historically marginalized these rich and diverse practices. By doing so, we foster an inclusive and respectful learning environment that values the contributions of all cultures and promotes a deeper understanding of yoga's healing benefits.
By placing the rich philosophy and therapeutic practices of yoga at the heart of our program, we are dedicated to supporting future yoga therapists in learning how to share yoga therapy and, most importantly, how to live yoga by embodying the transformative and healing potential in their personal and professional lives.
Our two-year program is designed to accommodate diverse schedules and learning preferences through a blend of synchronous (live & online) and asynchronous (self-paced) learning, followed by practicum and 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. Our program is built on these values and we are committed to co-creating a space supportive of learning and unlearning.
Program Overview & Structure
Our 800-Hour Yoga Therapy Certification is a two-year comprehensive training program that combines 610 hours of coursework with 190 hours of practicum and mentorship. Our program is designed to support your development as a yoga therapist by providing a balance of experiential practice, academic learning, and professional growth.
Our program is structured into two main parts:
Part 1: 610-Hours Course Work
Learners can choose the order of course completion, including live virtual courses & self-paced Teachable courses (610 hours total)
Part 2: 190-Hours Practicum & Mentorship
Once learners have completed 610 hours of courses, completion, student can begin their practicum & mentorship.
The program is designed to guide participants through foundational learning, advanced training, and practical application with mentorship support. All course work must be completed prior to practicum & mentorship.
Please see the visual flowchart below
Part 1: 610-Hours Course Work
Learners can choose the order of course completion, including live virtual courses & self-paced Teachable courses (610 hours total)
- Live Virtual Courses (via Zoom, with Teachable access and mentorship): Includes YT 300 (Trauma-Informed Certification, 300 hours), YT 301 (Yoga Nidra Certification, 41 hours), YT 302 (Pre & Post-Natal Certification, 85 hours), and YT 303 (Yoga for Kids & Teens Certification, 95 hours).
- Self-Paced Teachable Courses (with mentorship): Includes YT 200 (Yoga Therapy Foundations, 8 hours), YT 201 (Being Trauma-Informed, 21 hours), YT 202 (Befriending Pranayama & Asana, 16 hours), YT 203 (Fun & Functional Anatomy, 21 hours), and 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.
- 150-Hour Practicum: Split into 1:1 Yoga Therapy (75 hours) and Group Yoga Therapy (75 hours).
- 40-Hour Mentorship: Includes 1:1 mentorship (40 hours) and Group Mentorship (10 hours).
The program is designed to guide participants through foundational learning, advanced training, and practical application with mentorship support. All course work must be completed prior to practicum & mentorship.
Please see the visual flowchart below
Application Requirements
- Previous completion of a 200-hour yoga teacher training accredited by Yoga Alliance.
- Submission of a completed application.
- Submission of a current resume.
- Submission of a statement about your commitment to decolonization, anti-racism, anti-oppressive practices, and social justice. We would love to hear a bit about your ongoing learning journey. We might follow up requesting a reference.
- Consent to an admissions interview with the admissions committee.
- $500 + gst non-refundable deposit. If for any reason you are not accepted into this program, your deposit will be refunded, in-full.
Please note: Meeting the application requirements does not guarantee admission. The admissions committee (Melissa, Michael, and Alex) will review your application, resume, and letter of reference, which might result in an invitation for an admissions interview. The intention of the admissions interview is to get to know each other and ensure that your participation in the program is a mutual fit.
Tuition: Investing in Your Journey
We know this is a major financial commitment and our tuition is designed to be flexible, accessible, and transparent.
Applications are open until June 15th, 2025 or until spaces are filled!
The two-year 800-hour program includes:
Click the button below to explore detailed tuition details, individual course pricing, and payment plans tailored to meet your needs:
Applications are open until June 15th, 2025 or until spaces are filled!
- Super Early-Bird will be available until April 30th
- Early-Bird Tuition will be vailable until May 31st
- Two Payment Plans Available
The two-year 800-hour program includes:
- 610 hours of coursework with pricing options starting at $7625 + GST
- 190-hour practicum fee: $3500 + GST
Click the button below to explore detailed tuition details, individual course pricing, and payment plans tailored to meet your needs:
Application Deadlines & Dates
Applications Open April 1st, 2025
Please note:
- Application Deadline: June 15th, 2025 or until 5 available spaces are filled :)
- Application Review: Expect to hear from us within two weeks of your application submission.
- Applicant Interview: Melissa, Michael, and Alex may invite prospective students to an interview.
- Acceptance and Welcome Email: Sent within one week of application approval.
Please note:
- Access to YT 200: The 8-hour Yoga Therapy Foundations (YT 200) course will be released on June 16th, 2025.
- This will support you in creating your program plan, with support from Alex and Melissa
2025 & 2026 Live Virtual Course Dates
2025 Dates |
2026 Dates |
|
YT 300: Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology Certification
YT 301: Yoga Nidra Certification
YT 302: Pre & Post-Natal Certification
YT 303: Yoga Psychology for Kids & Teens Certification
|
YT 300: Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology Certification
YT 301: Yoga Nidra Certification
YT 302: Pre & Post-Natal Certification
YT 303: Yoga Psychology for Kids & Teens Certification
|
Practicum & Mentorship
The practicum and mentorship phase of the program begins only after all courses are complete. The intention of the practicum is to provide students with hands-on practice to help transition from theoretical knowledge to real-world application.
This phase includes 150 hours of practicum work, comprising both 1:1 yoga therapy and group sessions, along with 40 hours of mentorship that feature individual and small group support.
The practicum is primarily conducted within students' local communities, facilitated by Canmore Counselling & the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School with the support of required mentorship. Practicum sites may include community centres, clinics, virtual platforms, and other relevant local venues, providing diverse and valuable hands-on experience.
This phase includes 150 hours of practicum work, comprising both 1:1 yoga therapy and group sessions, along with 40 hours of mentorship that feature individual and small group support.
The practicum is primarily conducted within students' local communities, facilitated by Canmore Counselling & the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School with the support of required mentorship. Practicum sites may include community centres, clinics, virtual platforms, and other relevant local venues, providing diverse and valuable hands-on experience.
Dr. Melissa Jay is an Indigenous, Nehiyaw-Métis member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Canmore Counselling is located Châ Ûpchîchîyen Kudebi (translated from Îyârhe Nakoda as “shooting at the willows”), colonially known as Canmore. The physical location of Canmore Counselling & the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology is in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, which is considered Treaty 7 land and home of Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III, and the traditional territory of the Îyârhe Nakoda, including the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Wesley First Nations, as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Blackfoot Confederacy, including the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations. 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 community, social justice, decolonization, anti-oppression, and anti-racism are inherent to trauma-informed care. 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 community, social justice, decolonization, anti-oppression, and anti-racism are inherent to trauma-informed care. Thank you for being here.