Yogatherapycenter.org : : Trainings in Structural Yoga Therapy

Structural Yoga Therapy™
Certification Program

Updated October 2008

This training is based on an integration of Classical Yoga of the Yoga Sutras, insights into Krishnamacharya’s principle of “adapting to the individual”, and the spiritual teachings of his guru, Swami Muktananda. It is both profoundly practical and deeply spiritual. It will enable you to give a detailed assessment of a client’s flexibility and strength and from that information to create a personalized Structural Yoga Therapy™ (SYT) program. The program will be co taught by Mukunda, Karla Geoffroy (www.valley-yoga.com), and Mangala Warner (www.nesyt.com) who have served as his teaching assistants for 5 years.

Students will work closely together with Mukunda, his staff and others to set the pace, meeting times, and assist each other in study and practice, for cooperation builds yoga. The dialogue that emerges out of this cooperative effort, builds an ever-deepening understanding of Yoga and the True Self, out of which all healing flows.

This training is for certified yoga teachers and licensed health professionals with a grounding in yoga practice as sadhana with a minimum of 2 years of regular practice. Those teachers/therapists who have experience working with a specialty population (pregnancy, aging, arthritis, etc.) need to dialog with Mukunda to decide whether their goals can be met with SYT training. SYT can improve all conditions though it may not be the ideal training for you objectives. It is not recommended for those students who have no medical training yet wish to work in a medical environment. For those students a training as a physical therapist or other medical training is recommended.

Certification consists of 700 hours study (300 contact hours and 400 non-contact) over 24 training days spanning a year. The course consists of:-

• 300 contact hours consisting of 180 hrs. Class hours (7.5 hrs. per day) and

• 60 hrs. of mentoring to monitor your personal practice and following course assignments in between meetings; this can be done via email or phone if you live in a remote area; apprenticeship with Mukunda and student mentors; and

• 60 hours apprenticeship with Mukunda observing SYT private sessions with peers on the day or days preceding trainings after your initial private session.

• An individual SYT session & follow-up with Mukunda to adapt the practice to your uniqueness, appointments are booked as soon as your enrollment is complete.

• 400 non contact hours to include --

• An hour personal daily SYT practice, required readings, and journaling – 200 hrs.

• 12 hrs. of study group time per month – 110 hrs.

• A case study to develop your capacity to adapt to an individual’s complaint for a field of specialization for a final paper - 90 hrs;

This course curriculum follows the guidelines of the Yoga Alliance 500 hr. registry program, but it is not a registered school. Students can become registered by applying to the Yoga Alliance (under their section D requirements). We are working with the International Assoc. of Yoga Therapy to create new professional training standards.

Curriculum - * A day by day syllabus of the course can be sent upon request.

The initial 3 day session will cover all SYT techniques (SYT, chapters 7-8; 15-20) and begin the process of learning functional anatomy and kinesiology of asana (SYT chapters 11-16). Students will study Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras especially those relevant to SYT practice in chapter 2; how to read the signs of beneficial and detrimental yogasana practice. Required reading – SYT and Mukunda’s Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

The second phase of the training covering the next 4 – 3 day sessions (3 - 4 day sessions in UK) will be devoted to body reading covered in SYT chapters 9-10 and adapted physical therapy procedures to test flexibility (range of motion) using a goniometer and how to isolate and test muscle strength. Details of this procedure are shown in the SYT Physical Examination Manual and a DVD of the procedure (available only to certificate students). These sessions will help teachers make the transition from teaching classes to working one on one. Students will complete homework assignments mentored by Mangala and Karla and supervised by Mukunda. You will be encouraged to sit in on other styles of yoga to learn first hand their benefits and potential detriments. You will receive an assessment and SYT recommendations from Mukunda. SYT graduates will assist during classes and be your mentors in learning this procedure in person when possible, or via email and phone.

The final phase of the training will consist of 3 – 3 day sessions (2 -4 day sessions in UK) and will focus on how to make SYT recommendations to learn guidelines for working with a host of common issues detailed in the SYT Papers – primarily on musculoskeletal aches, pains, conditions, and injuries. Those teachers/therapists who previously worked with a specialty population (pregnancy, aging, arthritis, etc.) need to dialog with Mukunda to decide whether their goals can be met with SYT training. A follow up individual SYT session with Mukunda is given during this period. Students will be working with Mukunda and mentors observing and understanding individual sessions; counseling skills, polishing your personal practice. Ayurvedic and Yogic principles of adapting to the individual will be presented based on Mukunda’s newest book Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy. Each student is required to write a case study paper on a client with a structural challenge.

SYT Certification Training Site in US and Dates
Starting date postponed TBA, ask to be put on list for update

For directions or an adjacent motel go to Directions. At the first meeting students can meet to arrange car pools, motels, and housing in local students homes.

Tentative Dates for trainings in Massachusetts, US - plus an optional day of individual session observations

London trainings held at the www.SpecialYogaCentre.com 2a Wrentham Avenue, London NW10 3HA - plus an optional day of individual session observations

A minimum of 24 students must register for the certification program not later than Nov. 20, 2008 for London or May 10, 2009 for a new YTC program to begin in Massachusetts. No future trainings have been set.

Once you are ready to apply for the full program, have an interview with Mukunda to discuss your compatibility for taking the training. When accepted you will be asked to sign a contract. This contract includes making a commitment to attend all classes, and make payment arrangements for the entire course. Those who miss classes will have the opportunity to repeat the classes they missed next time the program is offered, tentatively beginning in spring 2011. The application is to include a brief resume of your yoga and health education background and a letter stating your goals for attending this program.

Those who are undecided may attend the first session and pay separately for it at Anyone may attend all or any portion of this training for personal benefit without seeking professional SYT certification; payable at the rate of $15 (£10)/hr. £75 per daily session.

The full course fee is $4500 (London £3000). Of that amount a minimum deposit of $500 (£1000) must be included with your application. Those who wish to pay in full in advance can receive a 5% discount from $4500 to $4225 OR £3000 to £2850. A second option is to pay the remaining balance in installments of $1000 (£1000 due at the beginning of session 2 and 4). Other payment options can be proposed to Mukunda.

In addition to these course fees, certification students will also need to allow for the additional costs of required readings, videos, and an optional scoliometer exam tool. The Structural Yoga Therapy Examination Manual, DVD of the SYT Manual, goniometer tool for measuring ROM, and 2 individual sessions with Mukunda are included in the cost of the program.

No one will be denied training due to lack of funds, contact Mukunda if you wish to propose other payment plans.

• Names and actions of 35 surface muscles (kinesiology)

• Range of joint motions in SYT book and examination using goniometer

• Perform accurate body reading of postural anomalies including scoliosis that may be underlying structural stress or trauma

• Muscle testing to isolate the strength of major movements and muscles

• In depth understanding of Yoga Sutras chapter 2, application of principles to create individualized sadhana and Yoga Therapy

• Ayurveda as it applies to personalized practice, modifying recommendations for the dosha that is imbalances, based on Mukunda’s Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy book.

• Case study, approximately 15-20 pages, of 1-2 clients for an area of specialization

• Practical demonstration of your ability to make beneficial recommendations for common Structural problems to restore peace and lessen pain.

NOTE - Missed training dates cannot be made up, except by taking the session in the next London or Massachusetts training. Certification will be given as a sign of your competency to work with individual clients in the SYT method and a willingness to maintain an ongoing relationship with Mukunda, his staff and other graduates.

NOTE - Course material can be ordered at any time. Course materials such as the SYT Examination Manual and DVD are only sold to registered students. .

Scoliometer - for screening of spinal curvature (scoliosis) - highly recommended, not required. Buy now

Once you have mastered foundational anatomy and kinesiology from SYT chapters 11-16, deepen your knowledge of topics in the program; especially of Anatomy (see Chris Jarney. Concise Book of Muscles. Publishers Lotus, UK and North Atlantic Books, Berkeley). Consult the Recommended Reading list, click here.

The following advanced trainings are open to anyone but specifically for SYT graduates to maintain their on going education requirement. Potential sponsors for these workshops and other topics are encouraged to contact Mukunda.

Please see SYT papers for case studies written by certified Structural Yoga Therapists.