Yoga Therapy
Yoga Therapist Registration
Following a unanimous vote by members at an Australasian Association of Yoga Therapists (AAYT) Special General Meeting held on 1 December 2022, AAYT merged with AUSactive. AUSactive CEO Barrie Elvish said the merger was a welcomed opportunity for both associations to better support their members while growing Yoga Therapy and Yoga Therapists.
The support of AUSactive enhances the aim to develop and take Yoga Therapy into the wider field of preventative health modalities and to get the benefits of Yoga Therapy recognised more widely both nationally and internationally.
Australasian Association of Yoga Therapists (AAYT) was established in 2007 as a national peak body for Yoga Therapists as a ‘not for profit’ association, under the Associations Incorporation Act (1981) Victoria. AAYT was an early initiator of Education Standards for Members which were shared with its affiliation with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).
Despite a strong and vibrant Committee of members working to enhance the promotion of Yoga Therapy, Membership and Education Standards, a Code of Ethics 2009 and Scope of Practice 2009 among other projects the evolution of AAYT saw that running an effective and supportive membership administration and promoting the modality of Yoga Therapy required more manpower and support than the committee of volunteers could provide.
In December 2022, AAYT merged with AUSactive to support the continued evolution of the Yoga Therapy practice. Current committee members Lisa Fabry, Robyn Henwood, Ellen Nash, Tanaya Ti’en, Sarjit Tory, Sarah Truman and Patricia Wigley volunteer their time and experience in delivering the profession’s aims and member interests.
What is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga Therapy empowers and supports individuals to manage their own health using a range of yogic tools, guided by a Registered Yoga Therapist. Yoga Therapy draws from the principles of yoga and incorporates the full range of yoga practices including but not limited to:
- asana (postures)
- pranayama (breath awareness and techniques)
- mudra (gestures)
- visualisation
- meditation
Yoga Therapists have an understanding of Western medical pathology and bio-medical knowledge, and use these insights to establish a professional relationship with the client/student. This is done in a clinical setting, one to one, and can continue within a small group setting should this be suitable to the participants’ needs. Yoga Therapy engages in a holistic approach, encompassing the wellbeing of the whole person including the mental, physical, and emotional impact of any condition. In other words, Yoga Therapy targets both the issues the client/student arrives with, as well as prior contributing factors.
Registered Yoga Therapists are available via the Australian Register of Active Health Professionals.
How to Become a Yoga Therapist?
An accredited Yoga Therapist has completed the following training:
- Certificated Yoga Teacher Training (minimum 350 hours)
- Yoga Therapy qualification (minimum 650 hours over 2 years)
- Further practical mentoring and internship.
Education providers currently approved for AUSactive registration can be found here.
In addition, Registered AUSactive Yoga Therapists are required to take part in ongoing professional development to maintain their membership.
Exclusive Benefits:
In addition to many AUSactive membership benefits, AUSactive host webinars on a wide range of topics relevant to Yoga Therapy and the Active Health field. These are held every alternate month and are open to all AUSactive members, qualifying for one continuing education credit (CEC) per webinar.
Inner Circle Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Sanghas: open to AUSactive Yoga Therapist members. Sangha is a Sanskrit word meaning community and is a way for members of a community to support each other. In this spirit, we meet each alternate month in the more intimate online setting of a Zoom room. Yoga Therapist members are warmly invited to join the circle, to listen to case studies, discuss their work, learn from other Yoga Therapists, share research, upcoming trainings or events.
Private Facebook Group: share and network with fellow registered members to share and discuss teachings.
