INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF YOGA THERAPISTS’ CONFERENCE AND PROPOSED EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS DEMONSTRATE THE GROWING POPULARITY OF YOGA FOR HEALTHCARE

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Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research Provides Continuing Education for Psychologists, Social Workers, Nurses, Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists; Educational Standards Define Guidelines for Training Professionals in the Field of Yoga Therapy

August 8, 2011 – Pacific Grove, Calif. – The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) announced today the full agenda and speaker line-up for its Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research, (SYTAR) to be held September 1-4, 2011 at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, California. The IAYT has also released the first draft of proposed Educational Standards for review by its membership. These activities reflect the growing popularity of yoga as a therapeutic intervention for health conditions.

“Whether you are already a yoga therapist, considering training in yoga therapy, or you are interested in integrating yoga with another practice, SYTAR is the perfect place to learn more, meet with other teachers and practitioners, and share ideas,” said John Kepner, executive director for the IAYT. “This year we have an incredible line-up of more than 50 presenters, plus 7 Common Interest Community sessions with more than 40 presentations. We will also hold a special Meeting of Schools just before SYTAR to review and discuss the proposed educational standards. We have more than 75 member schools supporting this effort to develop yoga therapy as a recognized and respected profession.”

SYTAR is a multi-track conference, and it is the premier conference in the field of yoga therapy.  The focus is on professional education, applications and techniques, research you can use, and the business of yoga therapy. The SYTAR 2011 keynote speakers include: Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Ph.D., spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute, Rama Jyoti Vernon, internationally known Yoga teacher and founder of the International Yoga College, the California Yoga Teachers' Association and Unity in Yoga International and Patricia Hansen, M.A. E-RYT500, yoga therapist and certified Ayurvedic practitioner and lifestyle consultant - teaching since 1967.

The primary sponsors of the event are:

Diamond:

The Samueli Institute - www.siib.org

Gold:

Healing Pathways Medical Center - http://sacramentomedicalclinic.org/

The Institute for Medical Yoga - http://www.medicinskyoga.se/

Silver:

Ajara Ayurvedic Beauty - www.ajaraskincare.com

American Viniyoga Institute - www.viniyoga.com

Ananda Yoga - www.expandinglight.org

Avalon - www.TheAvalonEffect.com

Essential Yoga Therapy - www.essentialyogatherapy.com

The Himalayan Institute - www.himalayaninstitute.org

The Institute of Classical Yoga & Therapy - www.classicalyogaandtherapy.com

The International Association for School Yoga & Mindfulness (IASYM) - www.k-12yoga.org

The Life Force Yoga Healing Institute - www.yogafordepression.com

SYTAR Association Partners:

American College of Vedic Astrology   - http://www.acvaonline.org

Ananda Yoga - http://www.ananda.org/spiritual-living/ananda-yoga.html

Australian Association of Yoga Therapists, Inc. - www.yogatherapy.org.au

Counsel of Vedic Astrology - www.councilvedicastrology.com

Himalayan Institute - www.himalayaninstitute.org

Integral Yoga Academy - http://yogaville.org/integral-yoga/integral-yoga-academy/integral-yoga-academy.html

Mount Madonna Center - http://www.mountmadonna.org/

National Ayurvedic Medical Association - http://ayurvedanama.org/

Registration for SYTAR is open to members, healthcare practitioners, and anyone who wants to learn more about yoga therapy. Early registration for SYTAR ends August 19th. To view the full program agenda, speaker line-up and registration details, visit: http://www.sytar.org/SYTAR2011.

Drafted by a committee comprised of 10 leaders in the field, the proposed Educational Standards include a comprehensive definition of yoga therapy, core competencies for professional yoga therapists, as well as admission requirements and length of training programs, among other topics. IAYT is currently soliciting feedback on the proposed Educational Standards from its membership. The document can be downloaded from the IAYT website at: http://www.iayt.org/

About IAYT

The International Association Yoga Therapists (IAYT) supports research and education in yoga and serves as a professional organization for yoga teachers and yoga therapists worldwide. Yoga therapy is defined as the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and wellbeing through the application of the teachings and practices of Yoga, Founded in 1989, the IAYT has consistently championed the cause of yoga as a healing art through the conferences, publications, and online communications. Membership is open to yoga practitioners, teachers, therapists, researchers and healthcare practitioners who utilize yoga in their practice. Its mission is to establish yoga as a recognized and respected therapy worldwide.

IAYT’s professional conference, SYTAR 2011, will be held September 1-4, 2011 at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, California. This multi-track professional conference attracts many notable yoga therapists and health care providers in the field. For more information, visit: http://www.sytar.org/SYTAR2011/

IAYT’s academic and scientific research conference, SYR 2011, will be held September 23-25, 2011 at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Western Massachusetts. This single track academic research meeting is co-presented with the Kripalu Institute of Extraordinary Living (IEL) and will include keynote speakers, oral presentations from other senior researchers, multiple poster sessions, and ample opportunities to interact with other scientists, experts and professionals in the field. For more information, visit: http://www.sytar.org/SYR2011/

For more information on IAYT, visit: http://www.iayt.org/

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Media Contact:  
Tammy Lee, Ayurdata Communications
(PR for International Association of Yoga Therapists)
tbl@Ayurdata.com
(207) 416-9533
     
Reader Contact:
John Kepner, Executive Director
International Association of Yoga Therapists
jkepner@iayt.org
(501) 661-1121

 

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