Optimal State Yoga Therapy and Lifestyle Wellness Training 
The Certified Yoga Therapy Training Program combines the ancient wisdom of the Krishnamacharya Tradition (Viniyoga) with Ayurveda, Anatomy, Kinesiology, Psychology & Neuroscience. We bridge the East and the West, without losing the pure essence and positive qualities of either healing system. Our program has a focus on the Mind and how changing your lifestyle can impact your mental and physical health. We also demonstrate how mental health impacts the nervous system, the endocrine system, the cardiovascular system, the digestive system and even the musculoskeletal system. Mental health is embodied, for better or for worse.
Maybe you are a yoga teacher, psychologist or healthcare provider that is looking to level up in your career and wondering what you next steps should be? Take a moment to think about what you will gain from graduating from our program (a new career that allows you to live a sustainable life). Then take a moment to imagine what life will look like in 5 years if you stay on the path you are currently on.
Please note that Amy Wheeler was the board President of the International Association of Yoga Therapists from 2018-2020. The Program Director is key in making sure the ship reaches its destination. You could think of it like the Captain of that ship. Amy personally attends every lecture and has a very hand’s on approach so that we ensure excellent oversight of the program and a personal connection with our students.
Prerequisite: IAYT requires at least 200 hours teacher training or equivalent, or permission of the Program Director. We now offer a 200-hour online teacher training for those who need to meet the pre-requisites of all yoga therapy programs. If you take our 200-hour with Optimal State, we will take the fees off the price of the yoga therapy program. We want to make sure you are fulling prepared in every way to be the most amazing yoga therapist on the planet!
Program Overview (862 Total Hours)
This program can take you anywhere between 2-6 years to graduate. How fast or slow you decide to go is up to you! Please note that all cohorts moving forward have the option to be 100% online. We are happy to give you a calendar for 2024-2027 dates for the program so that you can plan accordingly.
This program is intended for people who want a smaller group and hands-on approach to learning, growing and transformation. We ask that you choose an Optimal State faculty/ mentor for the program who will help you modify your lifestyle and create daily practices for you. Personal growth and getting yourself into balance is a key component of the program.
If you’d like additional information, FAQs or Syllabi please contact Krishna – Krishna@TheOptimalState.com
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There is still time to join until March 2024!!!!! Contact Us!
Step One: Therapeutic Yoga & Ayurveda Lifestyle Medicine (183 total hours)
2024 Cohort Start Dates: January 10, 2024
*Please note that you can start the highly recommended 200-hour Bridge course. We want to get you involved with our community, private Facebook group, online learning, and weekly calls.
Essential Framework:
There are 93 hours of online curriculum. The Optimal State Essential Framework Online Training includes curriculum from the Tradition of T. Krishnamacharya and The Optimal State. This course meets online each Wednesday mornings from 7:00-9:00am Pacific Time/ 9:00-11:00am Central Time/ 10:00am-12:00pm Eastern Time for 12 months on the Zoom platform.
Community Days:
We cover 90 hours of curriculum over 9 Saturdays. We start in January and end in November each year. The day begins at 8:30am -12:30pm PST. There is an hour lunch break. We begin again at 1:30pm – 5:30 pmPST. We have a 10-minute break every hour and also take time for gentle movement and breath exploration during each day.
Upcoming Dates:
January 6, 2024 April 6, 2024 September 7, 2024
February 3, 2024 May 4, 2024 October 5, 2024
March 2, 2024 August 3, 2024 November 2, 2024
Please note that some students choose to take both Wed. nights and one Saturday a month in the first year. Others choose to take Wed. nights the first year and one Saturday a month the second year. Again, how fast or slow you decide to go is up to you!
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Step two: Mental Health and Lifestyle Wellness Specialist Series (191 total hours)
2024 Cohort Dates: January 17-26, 2025 & July 11-20, 2025
Mental Health for Yoga Therapy Program Outline
Mental Health 1 – Anxiety & Depression
– 9 Day Module
– January 17 – 26, 2025
Mental Health 2 – Yoga Case Studies
– 19 weeks of case study review
– Fridays 8:30-9:30am PST
– February 7 – June 20, 2025
Mental Health 3 – Trauma & Addiction
– 9 Day Module
– July 11 – 20, 2025
Facebook Live Video About Anxiety and Yoga Therapy
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Step Three: Physical Health and Lifestyle Medicine Specialist Series (188 total hours)
2024 Cohort Dates: September 5-14, 2025 & April 10-19, 2026
Physical Health for Yoga Therapy Program Outline
Physical Health 1 – Anatomical Assessment & Therapeutic Planning
– 9 Day Module
– September 5 – 14, 2025
Physical Health 2 – Yoga Case Studies
– 16 weeks of case study review
– Fridays 10-11am PST
– October 3, 2025 – March 6, 2026
Physical Health 3 – Physiological Assessment & Therapeutic Planning
– 9 Day Module
– April 10- 19, 2026
Optimal State Shoulder & Neck Assessment Video
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Step Four: Professional Business Development Course & Practicum
2024 Cohort Dates: May 12, 2025- May 18, 2026 (some students begin in May 2024 and others in May 2025)
80 hours of business building covered over 11 months online. This is a course has that you watch videos each week and do the homework to build your business step-by-step. We have online office hours each week for you to get individual and group coaching. We also have a closed Facebook group specific to business that you will be a part of long-term to keep your business growing and flourishing long after you graduate from the program. We are in this with you for the long-haul!
Overview Of The Professional Business Development Course
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Step Five: Optimal Yoga Nidra
This segment can be taken at any point in the program. Upcoming dates include:
March 15-17, 2024
October 25-27, 2024 & March 14-16, 2025
October 24-26, 2025 & March 13-15, 2026
This segment is 2 weekends (20-hours each weekend), it will be held online & will include a daily Yoga Nidra practice with personal mentoring. You will receive an additional certification and become a Certified Optimal Yoga Nidra Teacher.
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Step Six: Practicum
This segment includes 150 hours supervised practicum at student’s home location so that they can build their client base and business. This will include one-on-one work with yoga therapy clients with the Optimal State Yoga Therapist as the main provider of care. This experience will also include small group yoga therapy with the Optimal State Yoga Therapist as the main teacher. In addition to the 30 hours of mentoring, the student will practice their yoga therapy documentation skills.
The hours include work with clients, mentor hours, and documentation. The practicum student will be asked to do a full assessment of the individual, write up of the practice and teaching the practice, as well as follow-up with the client. The practicum student will also be asked to do a self-analysis or observation of each session they conduct.
Practicum Mentoring:
30 hours of one-on-one supervision. The mentor will track and offer suggestions for individual case and group class taught by the teacher-training student. This supervision will include discussion of assessment, short-term and long-term course planning and self-analysis of how it feels to be a yoga therapist. This 30 hours of practicum mentoring is different from creating a personal daily practice or receiving advising about didactic learning.
Optimal State Yoga Therapy & Lifestyle Medicine Overview Video
Contact Us To Learn More About The Optimal State Family & Join The Class of 2024
