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Yoga Therapy Course

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500 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification

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Certified by Yoga Alliance International

〰️ Yoga Therapy Course 〰️ 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification 〰️ Certified by Yoga Alliance International

300 Hour Yoga Therapy & Integrative Medicine Training

for 500 Hour Master Yoga Teacher Diploma

Students enrolling on this course are expected to be Yoga Teachers with a minimum 200 hour level certification.

Become a 500 Hour Master Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance International. This 300 hour Yoga Therapy program facilitates a great opportunity for a deep personal healing experience as well as taking your understanding and teaching of yoga to a higher and more professional level.

This advanced course covers a range of topics and learning. After successful completion graduates will receive Yoga Alliance International certification as 500 Hour Master Yoga Teachers.

”An amazing experience in all ways. The level of training was exceptional and far surpassed my expectations. Gerry’s wealth of experience and knowledge in yoga and therapeutic practices meant we were always supported in developing our yoga skills and teaching abilities in a supported and inspiring way... The town itself is magical and surrounded by beautiful valleys. The swallows and the sunrise welcomed each day. A truley wonderful experience. It was hard to leave!”

- Charity Murphy, Ireland, 2019 -

Yoga Teacher Training Video

Course Objectives

This 300 hour Yoga Therapy Course for 500 Hour Master Yoga Teacher accreditation is a 4 week intensive journey in healing through exploring the subtleties of the asanas, their energetic links with the chakras, the Chinese acupuncture meridians as well as modern anatomy, physiology, Yogic psychology and philosophy.

You will learn how to evaluate your patients health using various methods of palpation as well as observation of posture, listening skills, taking detailed case histories and interpreting the signs and symptoms of imbalance and disease.

Yoga Therapy is based on the concept of Salutogenesis, in line with all holistic therapies. This is the promotion of health and healing rather than focusing on the disease itself. When the body-mind and emotions heal the disease falls away as it can no longer feed on negativity, bad habits, toxins and trauma. This may take time and always involves the individual as an active participant in the healing process.

Course Syllabus

    • Asana Practice

    • Meditation

    • Pranayama

    • Sequencing

    • Correction & Adjustment Techniques

    • Detailed interview ; i.e. questioning and how to evaluate the answers (questions on digestion, stools, sleep, pain, gynaecology etc)

    • Observation (posture, the spine, facial diagnosis, movement etc) and listening skills

    • Back palpation (feeling and evaluating the zones on the back) based on Chinese Medicine and the Chakras

    • Introduction to Chinese Medicine

    • Digestive and nutritional assessment 

    • Asana, in depth understanding, recuperative, therapeutic, use of props

    • Breathwork

    • Meditation, guided meditation and scanning

    • Asana for specific chakras, meridians and organs

    • Relaxation techniques, types of Savasana (Physical, Emotional, Mental, Spiritual)

    • Nutrition and eating habits

    • Mantras and colour therapy

    • Hands on Techniques: basic back Shiatsu, including all diagnostic zones on the back. Chakra Balancing, hip and neck adjustments

    • Philosophy and aim of yoga.

    • Concept of Salutogenesis (Promoting health rather than concentrating on the disease)

    • The five points of yoga.

    • The 4 paths of yoga.

    • Prana (Qi); concept of energy the Nadis and Chinese Acupuncture Meridians

    • The 4 elements and the akasha.

    • The five koshas.

    • Yoga Psychology : The Gunas; The Chakras; The 8 Limbs of Yoga; The 2 hemispheres of the brain

    • The bandhas.

    • Principles of self-development.

    • Teacher student relationship.

    • Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita.

    • Karma and reincarnation.

    • The Yugas

    • Principles and benefits of meditation

    • Ethics for yoga teachers.

    • Philosophy and Spirituality; purpose, meaning and goals of life;

    • Anatomy and Physiology

    1. General signs of bad health and stress / 2. Backache / 3. Respiratory System / 4. Circulatory System / 5. Digestive System and Nutrition / 6. Urinary System / 7. Nervous System and stress / 8. Hormonal System / 9. Immune System / 10. Women’s and men’s health / 11. Mind and Emotions

    2. In Yoga Therapy these problems are treated A.) with asanas related to the chakras and the Chinese Acupuncture Meridians; B.) with deep relaxation; C.) breath work; mindfulness and meditation; D.) Diet; E.) Understanding the link between physical problems, mind, emotions and spirituality

Practical Information

 

Materials

This course will provide all course materials. Please bring your own mat.  

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided in 2 apartments which are part of the Vinalux hotel. Both apartments have fully equipped kitchens.  

Dress Code

Please wear comfortable plain white, yellow or blue clothes, no logos. We like to encourage students to wear positive happy colours which facilitate learning and energy work. Colour therapy and its association with the chakras will be discussed further during the course. 

Prerequisites

Students enrolling on this 500 Hour Yoga Course are expected to be qualified Yoga Teachers at the 200 hour level from any school. 

Evaluation Procedure and Grading Criteria

  • Students are required to have completed all the set assignments by the end of the course. 

  • Students are expected to show proficiency and improvement in their own asana practice and understanding including: a) anatomy and physiology, b) evaluation and treatment procedures c) case history

  • The practical evaluation is based on continual assessment.

  • There will also be a written exam which all students must pass in order to obtain the 500 hour Master Yoga Teacher certification.

Attendance

Trainees should attend a minimum of 90% of the course. Should trainees miss more than this minimum they will need to agree with the teacher which modules to re-take. SYM reserves the right to charge additional fees for these catch up modules.

Accreditation

This course is fully accredited by Yoga Alliance International and students will receive YAI and SYM certification. 

Treatments

In addition to the healing modalities explored in the course, students have the opportunity to arrange private treatments with the teachers.

Course Teachers

Gerry Rixen  - SYT (Senior Yoga Teacher) YAI; Shiatsu Practicioner & Teacher; 4th Dan Martial Arts Instructor

Nadia al-Huqail - 500 h professional yoga teacher; founder of Spartan Yoga Shala

Sabrina Bonet - 500 h professional yoga teacher and dancer

Please check the Teachers page for more detailed CVs.

Dates & Fees

Upcoming Course Dates (without arrival and departure days)

1 - 29 November 2025, Vinaros, Valencia, 🇪🇸 Spain, in English

Cost: Twin: €2200 / Single: €2600

Course fees include: tuition, accommodation, course manual, pick up (and drop off) from Vinaros train station, end of course party and Yoga Alliance International certification. Food is not included as there are many bars, restaurants, markets and shops very close by and students have a fully equipped kitchen at their disposal.

1 and half days per week are free days.

Certified by Yoga Alliance International.

Course dates include arrival and departure days.

Example of daily schedule

08:30 - 09:00 - Meditation & Pranayama

09:00 - 10:30 - Asana & Restorative Asana & Relaxation

10:30 - 11:15 - Break 

11:15 - 13:00 - Yoga Theory, Philosophy, Psychology /Anatomy, Physiology  

13:00 - 15:00 - Lunch Break 

15:00 - 16:30 - Yoga Theory ; Psychology / Assessment Tools / hands-on (chakra balancing, basic back Shiatsu)

17:00 - 18:30 - Healing tools & Practice

Please note times may change slightly due to season and location.

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