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Foundations of Yogatherapy Certificate Program

Program Overview

The Foundations of Yogatherapy Certificate Program (FYT) is a 292-hour (1-semester) program that can be taken independently or as part of the Diploma of Eastern Therapies and Bodywork (ETB) or the Diploma of Yogatherapy (DYT). This program now contains a Yoga Teacher Training program that is recognized by the Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level.

This program introduces students to the philosophy, therapeutic principles and techniques of yoga and provides them with combined Yogatherapy and Yoga Teacher Training certification. Yoga has a depth of practice that extends much further than physical postures, and is not limited to those who are flexible or mobile. The practices of breath, cultivating focus and awareness through meditation and lifestyle, and the application of the eastern understandings of health, well-being and disease all work together to create a model of yoga that is both therapeutic as well as enriching. Yogatherapy is the application of the techniques and philosophy of yoga to support the healing and well-being of clients on all levels. Traditionally, yoga practice was based on individuals and tailored to the well-being and circumstances of each person (which is the approach of the majority of the course). A 40 hour teaching intensive at the end of the program provides skills in group facilitation and class implementation.

The Foundations of Yogatherapy Certificate Program is for students who have an interest in using all aspects of yoga in a therapeutic context. Students gain comprehensive knowledge and practical skill in the 8 limbs of yoga. They know how to identify various imbalances in the systems (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and energetic), determine the causes of imbalances according to the yogic model, and treat these imbalances through the application of techniques and principles of Yogatherapy.

Recognitions

International Association of Yoga Therapists

Pacific Rim College is a Registered Yoga School with the Yoga Alliance. The Foundations of Yogatherapy contains a Yoga Teacher Training component that is recognized by the Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level. Additionally, PRC is a member school of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Curriculum

The following courses comprise the Foundations of Yogatherapy Certificate Program. All courses must be completed for a student to be eligible for graduation. New students must complete the General Introduction component. Please see Study Options below for more information.

General Introduction		Total Requirements
Foundations in Eastern Therapies and Bodywork		1.2 credits	18 hours
	During this course, students learn the general background and cultural context for Eastern Therapies and Bodywork with specific attention to Indian, Chinese and T'ai indigenous medicines. This course offers an introduction to the theoretical principles and the history of spirituality and medicine. Both energy medicine and healing are defined, and basic energetic anatomy is explored, all through a comparative approach of Yogic, Ayurvedic, Thai and basic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) systems.


Total		1.2 credits	18 hours

Foundations of Yogatherapy		Total Requirements
Yogatherapy Foundations		0.6 credit	9 hours
	In this course, students learn the general background and cultural context for Yogatherapy as they explore the history of yoga and therapeutic yoga and delve deeply into yogic philosophy (e.g. Classical vs. Tantric, 8 Limbs in Yogatherapy, Yanumoja, and journeywork and themes).




The Yogic Body, East and West		3 credits	45 hours
	Students learn Eastern and Western anatomy as it relates to Yogatherapy. They integrate anatomy, indications and contraindications through experiential learning strategies and explore theory and application of alignment principles, hands-on corrections, modifications, restorative postures and chair yoga. Equal weight is given to Yogic Energetic anatomy and Western anatomical perspectives.
Breath and Meditation: Theory and Techniques		1.2 credits	18 hours
	In this course, students explore theory and practice techniques of breath and meditation. They learn diagnosis and therapeutics as they relate to breath and meditation, integrating knowledge of energetic systems, brain functions, and physiological affects of various techniques.
Yogatherapy: Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Facilitation		8 credits	120 hours
	This course gives students an in-depth opportunity to develop practical skills of facilitation, diagnosis, and therapeutic application and planning through peer practice, case studies and public clinic.
Technique Hours		4 credits	60 hours
	Students of yoga and Yogatherapy continually deepen their skill development through regular practice and application of the various techniques and principles. Throughout the duration of the program, students maintain both a documented weekly yoga practice in classes and at home.
Yoga Teacher Training: Group Facilitation Skills		2.7 credits	40 hours
	This intensive course translates skills of one-on-one facilitation with clients/students into a group setting. The course covers theory and skills in group facilitation, applied techniques, sequencing, class development, modifications, special needs, and multi-level classes.
Total		19.5 credits	292 hours

Study Options

The Foundations of Yogatherapy Certificate Program is a single semester program. Students may take this individually or as part of the Diploma of Eastern Therapies and Bodywork. All new students entering into FYT must complete the 18-hour General Introduction to Eastern Therapies and Bodywork.

Post-Graduation

Graduates earn a Certificate in the Foundations of Yogatherapy as well as recognition of completion of a certified Yoga Teacher Training program. They are able to apply for recognition with the International Association of Yogatherapists, as well as the Yoga Alliance, both of which are the professional regulating bodies for these practices in North America.
They use knowledge and experience gained to work in community health centres, fitness studios and clinical settings. They may pursue work within the fields of sports medicine/therapy, trauma recovery and general rehabilitation for injuries, surgery, illness and diseases. Yogatherapy complements therapies used by physiotherapists, chiropractors, and counsellors, doctors, traditional medical practitioners/doctors and naturopaths.

Graduates may also choose to enrol in other certificate programs at PRC or transfer into the Diploma of Eastern Therapies and Bodywork (ETB) to meet advanced standards of training as deemed by the International Association of Yoga Therapists. The ETB is a unique 4-semester program that integrates Yogatherapy with Traditional Thai Massage and Ayurvedic Marmatherapy.

FYT graduates are able to return and participate as interns in classes free of charge. Internships offer opportunities for further exploration and to deepen knowledge and skills for continuous practice. Interns may attend open lectures, and may be asked to help in the classroom. Workshops and some lectures are excluded, and space is limited. Advanced booking through the Program Director is necessary.

Admissions

Entering students into the Foundations of Yogatherapy Certificate Program at Pacific Rim College must have a high school diploma or an equivalency test, one-year experience as a yoga practitioner (engaged in regular yoga practice), and all non-native English speaking applicants must demonstrate a mastery of written and spoken English. Any foreign applicant may be required to submit an official score report from an English proficiency exam such as TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Test System). Furthermore, applicants must be physically able to complete the movements and techniques taught in the program and must have been a yoga practitioner for at least one year prior to applying.

Pacific Rim College is determined to produce only the highest quality health practitioners. As a result, we reserve the right to admit and to retain only students who demonstrate the potential to achieve at the upper-most level. Applicants will be evaluated based on merits such as high academic achievement, emotional maturity, humanitarian activities, morality, community involvement and health-related experience.

All entering students into FYT must have completed the 18-hour General Introduction course Foundations in Eastern Therapies and Bodywork. This course is offered at the onset of the Certificate Program.

To apply for admission into the Foundations of Yogatherapy Certificate Program, please click on the button below and complete an online or paper application. Applicants are encouraged to apply by November 15 for the January enrolment and July 15 for the September enrolment. Applications will still be considered after these dates, but enrolment space will be limited. Placement priority is given to students enrolled in the Diploma of Eastern Therapies and Bodywork program. Upon favourable review of your application by our admissions committee, you may be contacted for an interview, which can be carried out via telephone if a person-to-person interview is not possible.

Applicants who hold a current Yoga Alliance recognized 200-hour teacher training certificate and who want to be considered for exemption from the YTT intensive portion of Foundations of Yogatherapy must submit with their application a copy of their certificate along with curriculum of the teacher training program. The certificate and curriculum will be taken into consideration together in awarding the exemption.

All successful applicants must submit a non-refundable enrolment deposit of $500 within 2 weeks of acceptance or by the 15th of the month preceding enrolment, whichever comes first. This deposit is credited toward tuition fees. Should a student decide not to enrol for the specific semester of study as stated in the application or registration form, the fee is forfeited and cannot be used to offset any charges that the student may incur. Enrolment space will not be reserved without this deposit.

International Students

International students are welcome to attend Pacific Rim College and are encouraged to apply. Canadian law requires foreign students to have a valid study permit to study in Canada. Pacific Rim College provides international students with the necessary documentation to receive a valid study permit. In some cases students can apply for and obtain a permit upon entering Canada.

Academic Calendar

	Fall 2011 - FYT	Winter 2012 - FYT	Fall 2012 - FYT	Weekly Schedule
Orientation	August 31	January 3	August 29	FYT classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am-5:30pm and on Fridays from 1:30-5:30pm.
General Introduction	August 31-September 2	January 3-5	August 29 - August 31
First Class Day	September 7	January 10	September 4
Holidays	October 10-14 (Reading Break)	February 27-March 2 (Reading Break) April 6 (Good Friday)	October 5-8 (Reading Break)
Last Day of Class	December 9 (full day)	April 17	November 29
YTT	December 12-16	January 6, February 7, March 13, March 27, April 18	December 6-12

Class Schedule

Please click below for the class schedule for the Foundations of Yogatherapy Certificate Program. Upcoming schedules will be published as released.

Tuition and Fees

The total tuition per component is as follows. Full tuition payment is due by the end of the day of the "First Class Day" as indicated in the Academic Calendar above.

General Introduction	$280

Certificate Program	$4500*

*Tuition is $3800 for students who have been exempted from YTT intensive. Please see Admissions section (above) for details.

Please click here for a description of Academic Fees.

Financial Aid

This program is approved for Canada Student Loans. British Columbia residents can apply for student loans online through StudentAid BC by clicking here. Students can also pick up a paper application from PRC or any other academic institution registered with Canada Student Loans. For non-British Columbia residents, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca for information about Canada Student Loans.

For a list of all financial aid programs available to PRC students, please visit our Financial Aid page.