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I AM YOGA THERAPY

Bridge the Gap Between Yoga and Psychology 

I AM Yoga Therapy™ is a total body stretch and energy opener. It uses wall, prop and assisted poses to help you move into areas of constriction, tightness and pain that you normally avoid. Unresolved mental and emotional tensions keep physical tightness intact and allow the body to continue to create misalignments and prevent optimal healing. I AM Yoga Therapy is designed to address both visible symptoms and invisible mental and emotional aspects.

A Psychosomatic Approach
Support yourself and others to reduce symptoms and improve function from the outside in and the inside out.

We approach the body as the product of both our internal environment (our thoughts, feelings, emotions and beliefs) as well as our external environment (injuries, exercise, sitting, sleeping, standing, walking habits, food). The two together create the body we see. Most styles of Yoga Therapy work with physical symptoms to help them go away. In the Integrative Amrit Method, we address the underlying invisible issues that are contributing to or exacerbating the visible symptoms. By using the visible symptoms as a roadmap to the invisible cause we can help resolve the issue at the root and symptom level.

HOW CAN I AM YOGA THERAPY HELP?

Much of the pain and discomfort we experience is because of these structural misalignments that could be addressed by a simple regime of moving and stretching the body through its full range of motion. By holding the body in various positions for longer periods of time, combined with breath and meditative facilitation, we can move into these areas and gently and effectively release both physical and psychosomatic holding patterns.

Relieve Stress on Joints

Improve Range of Motion

Increase
Circulation

Reduce pain, inflammation & stiffness

Calm the mind & release mental and emotional tensions

Certification

I AM YOGA THERAPY CERTIFICATION
120 & 800 hour trainings

The Integrative Amrit Method of Body Psychology Training

120 Hour Training

Yoga Therapy I & II:

Touch Free & Hands On Techniques

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 Yoga Therapy I: Touch Free

40 hrs with practicum assignments

Learn specific and immediately useful tools to release trapped psychosomatic patterns and free the body’s innate healing potential. Body-based facilitation & coaching techniques can be applied with or without yoga poses in one-on-one private sessions or applied to any style of yoga, life coaching, therapy or bodywork you offer. You will learn how to guide poses to release and reprogram unhelpful physical, mental and emotional patterns. 

Ideal for online sessions & hands-on limitations.

In addition to promoting your personal development, this training is excellent for yoga teachers, psychologists, counselors, health and healing professionals, and bodyworkers in search of new tools to serve their clients.

This training can be used as a powerful tool for your own personal and professional journey.

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Yoga Therapy II: Hands-On

80 hours with practicum assignments

Learn advanced hands-on assisted posture and prop-supported sequences.

  • How to powerfully support release and rebalancing in common holding zones in the body

  • Facilitation techniques to enhance the effect of physical poses and support emotional integration

  • Draw on elements from contact yoga, yogassage, phoenix rising yoga therapy, thai yoga therapy and traditional yoga styles to promote total body opening

  • Suggestions to offer chair Yoga Therapy

  • Learn the basic principles and precautions of Yoga Therapy for scoliosis and other common conditions

Includes: 

  • Energetic anatomy, esoteric teachings and emotional integration

  • 4 sequences address the most common compromised zones in the body

  • Instructional videos

  • Detailed manual 

  • How to put together a full 6 limbed yoga therapy session

NOTE: Hours in this training count as hours towards module 2 in the Amrit Yoga Institute's 800hour IAYT Accredited Yoga Therapy Training to become an I AM Yoga Therapist. Training hours can vary by location. Hours are eligible for transfer credit into the 800 hour program. Additional required hours, assignments and content will need to be completed upon enrollment in this program. 

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800 Hour I AM Yoga Therapy Training

IAYT ACCREDITED 

This program is made up of 10 modules--each of which develop a Yoga Therapists' skills in different ways. The 100 hour Yoga Therapy module serves as the hub of the wheel with modules such as Yoga Nidra, Advanced Yoga Nidra and Advanced Yoga deepening skill sets in both group and individualized settings. Later modules put together all the information learned with specialized instruction in anatomy, assessment and other foundational concepts to prepare the yoga therapist. Upon registering for this professional training, you will have an opportunity to plan your 2-4-year program with our Assistant Program Director. This will help you decide what Modules you will take in what order to fit your goals.​ For programs taken 2013 or later, you may be eligible for transfer credits. For detailed information on this program click here.

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Prerequisite: Any 200 hour RYS Yoga Teacher Training*

Module 1 I AM Yoga Nidra™ Professional Training

Module 2 General Assessment

Module 3 I AM Yoga Therapy I & II: Body Psychology Training

Module 4 I AM Yoga Nidra™ Advanced Training

Module 5 Integral Breath Therapy Training

Module 6 I AM Yoga: Advanced Training: Meditation in Motion

Module 7 Principles of Ayurveda

Module 8 General Anatomy, Applied Anatomy & Psychology

Module 9 Putting It All Together

Module 10 Practicum

  *If you took a 200-hour yoga training in a tradition other than Amrit Yoga you are required to register for and successfully complete the online course “The Posture of Consciousness Intensive”. Teachers must have one year teaching experience, and one year of personal practice which may occur concurrently.

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Yoga Therapy I & II
120 hour Training
You will learn:

  • How to use a variety of prop and partner-assisted yoga postures to intensify energy flow and encounter holding patterns

  • Facilitation Techniques to listen to the intuitive energy body and gently release physical and emotional blocks

  • Understanding and exploration of the anatomy and physiology of energy

  • Four chakra based made-for-you sequences

  • Basic Protocols for dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, low back pain and tight neck and shoulders

  • Building Blocks to create a yoga therapy experience tailored to specific needs, whether physical, mental or emotional

  • How to lead a yoga therapy class or one-on-one session from intake to completion

  • How to healthfully integrate and release emotions for yourself and others

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I've practiced as a board certified family physician for more than 20 years and in that time, I have seen the incredible need for this type of mind/body healing. 

-Rashmi Schramm, MD

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“This type of healing is far beyond anything I have ever seen." 

-V. Broadmoor

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The Amrit Yoga Institute is a member school of IAYT.

Call for details at : 352-685-3001 or admissions@amrityoga.org

This training is appropriate for counselors, mental health professionals, yoga teachers, bodyworkers, health professionals and alternative healers. Experience with yoga or some form of bodywork is recommended. For those who are new to body-centered practices, or who have physical limitations, be aware that not all practices and techniques may be easily accessible to you but that there will still be plenty for you to take away from the training. We will work with you to assist you.

I AM Yoga Therapy™ Certification
at the Amrit Yoga Institute - Salt Springs, FL

Yoga Therapy Workshops

Bridge the Gap Between Yoga and Psychology 

Do you have areas of chronic tension, pain or tightness? Do you sit a lot and not move around? Are you experiencing emotional stress, transition or pressure at home or work?

 

A Yoga therapy workshop is a great way to release those tensions from the inside out. The body houses tensions and tightness based on the way we sit, stand, think and feel. By gently and consciously opening the body we can return to our rightful state of freedom, ease and balance. Yoga therapy is accessible to anyone – even beginners-regardless of experience. It gently allows you to move into target areas at your own pace. Come spend a weekend being good to your body and soul.

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Workshops
  • What is the program schedule like?
    The 120 hour program is divided into two segments. One is touch free and the other is hands on. Yoga Therapy I is (usually) online. Yoga Therapy II is in person. Yoga Therapy I: Generally Yoga Therapy I is 6 classroom hours per day plus yoga therapy class videos to complete on your own time. Yoga Therapy II: Class begins on the first day with arrival at 4pm (class at 7pm) and ends on the last day by noon. General daily schedule is 7-8 yoga therapy class/practice, 9-12, 2:30-6pm, and either evening homework assignments or evening session.
  • Can I do this program for myself?
    Absolutely. Many people take this program for themselves. This program is not only educational, but experientially based. You will receive a lot of insights and openings as a result of this training.
  • Is it okay to take this program if I have injuries?
    Yoga Therapy I is appropriate for everyone. Yoga Therapy II has a strong physical component and is best for those who are not recovering from major injuries or surgeries and generally strong.
  • Will I learn specific tools to help people with medical conditions?
    This program is less prescriptive and more about drawing on the various aspects of yoga and psychosomatic healing to free the body to best heal itself. This style of yoga therapy is of great benefit to physical conditions as well as subtler, less visible underlying patterns that are affecting the physical health of the body.
  • What is the Required Reading?
    Please note that there is required reading, which is ideally complete or mostly complete by the start of the training. Both can be purchased online at Amazon either new or used. Body Mind by Ken Dychtwald Focusing by Eugene Gendlin
  • Is there additional suggested reading?
    These books will deepen your understanding of what is covered in class, but are not required: The Pathwork of Self Transformation by Eva Perriakos Emotional Clearing by John Ruskan
  • How do I get Continuing Education Credits?
    Please contact the Amrit Yoga Institute office AHEAD OF TIME. ​ Continuing Education: Massage therapists/bodyworkers – 21 hours Registered Yoga Teachers – 21 hours ​ The Amrit Yoga Institute provides CE's through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider #450048-00. Courses offering approved Continuing Education hours are for personal self-care only. CE's for Yoga Alliance requirements also provided. Please request a packet upon registration. Email:admissions@amrityoga.org.
  • How do I get certified?
    After Yoga Therapy I & II there are practicum assignments to complete where you will be asked to practice guiding Yoga Therapy techniques and sending in documentation. After Yoga Therapy I: You'll be asked to guide a number of yoga therapy touch free sessions as well as each of the three facilitation techniques you learn. After Yoga Therapy II: You will be asked to give 8 yoga therapy sessions using the hands-on techniques learned and submit the results to teaching staff for review. You usually have 90 days to complete these sessions. Time extensions may be made on a case by case basis and by request only. If we are not sure of your competence, please note we may ask for a video of your session work for verification. Upon completion of both portions and approval of all practicums you will receive a 120hr Yoga Therapy certification.
  • Do I need to do the 8 sessions with 8 different people?
    The 8 sessions don't need to be with 8 different people, but it would be nice to have a variety of at least 4 different people for you to get experience. Your certificate will be sent out once your session reports have been handed in and approved.
  • What are the origins of this style of Yoga Therapy and how is it unique?
    This training is a distillation and culmination of a half century of teachings given by Gurudev Shri Amritji. Amritji has been a pioneer in the field of yoga since the 1960’s. His work has served as the basis of this training and many of the techniques. Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy was created by Michael Lee and inspired by the work of Yogi Amrit Desai. The Wave Work, created by Sandra Scherer and others was also based on his teachings. This training builds on these and other techniques including Yogassage and Contact Yoga, developed by Ken Scott, Restorative & Yin Yoga Techniques, as well as classic non-directive facilitation. This training draws on all these modalities and uniquely combines them to serve the intention of the Integrative Amrit Method (IAM) of Yoga Therapy. This is not therapy. It is not simply about releasing the past through the body. It is ultimately a practice of clearing the obstructions to the True Self with the help of a facilitator who acts as the witnessing presence in which energy is allowed to move.
FAQ
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