The Living, Healing Tradition of Yoga Therapy

Join Gary Kraftsow, named by Yoga Journal as a Lifetime Contributor and “One of America’s Leading Yoga Therapists”, as he demonstrates the Viniyoga Therapist approach to managing structural, physiological, and psycho-emotional conditions.

A skilled Yoga Therapist accesses client conditions at multiple levels by:
- understanding client limitations,
- developing multi-dimensional practices calibrated to individual needs, and
-inspiring clients to practice.

In the structural segments of this workshop we will explore practices to work with common structural conditions related to the low back, sacrum, and hips. In the physiological segments, we will explore practices to manage the symptoms of sleeplessness. In the psychological segment, we will explore practices to manage symptoms of anxiety, reframe our life orientation, and find sources of happiness and inspiration.

Don’t miss this comprehensive workshop for fresh insights into working with modern conditions drawn from the ancient lineage of Yoga Therapy.

‘Yoga therapy treats the whole person, seeking to change attitudes and actions that inhibit the natural healing process, and cultivate attitudes and actions that support it.’

Gary Kraftsow, MA, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT

What will we cover?

In this series of three 3-hour sessions, we will explore how the tools of Yoga practice can be adapted for physical issues of the low back and sacrum, psychologically based conditions like insomnia and tools for emotional health and managing anxiety.

This course is suitable for yoga practitioners, teachers, and therapists. Yoga Therapists not trained in the Viniyoga tradition will find the content particularly interesting.

Course Format

Each session will consist of an initial presentation, followed by a practice to put the teachings into context, with time for Q&A.

Session 1: Yoga Therapy for Physical Issues: Low Back/Sacrum/Hips

Explore biomechanics of the lower back, sacrum and hips, and the types of problems that can affect these areas. Experience a sequence of adapted āsana-s designed to relieve symptoms and strengthen these areas of the body.

Session 2. Yoga Therapy for Physiological Issues: Sleep

Insomnia and sleeplessness are two of the most common and troubling symptoms of chronic physiologically based conditions. Explore the theory, principle and practices of Yoga Therapy to address sleeplessness.

Session 3 Yoga Therapy for Mental/Emotional Issues: Anxiety

Emotional health is fundamental to the maintenance of health in the physical body. Learn to recognize the direct influence of thought and emotion on biochemistry and explore certain practices to transform negative qualities of mind and promote general well-being.

Replay

The workshop will be recorded and replay access offered to all students till 1 May 2025 Catching up on recordings will not affect you obtaining the CPD hours.

Certification

You will receive a Yogacampus e-certificate of attendance which details 12 CPD hours.

The course is also eligible for IAYT APDs (Continuing Education Credits) and Yoga Alliance Continuing Education credits.

Meet the Teacher

Gary Kraftsow has been a pioneer in the transmission of yoga for health, healing and personal transformation for over 40 years. He began his study of yoga in India with T.K.V. Desikachar in 1974 and received a Viniyoga Special Diploma from Viniyoga International in Paris, France in 1988.

Gary graduated with a BA, Magna Cum Laude, from Colgate University in 1976 and received his Masters Degree in Psychology and Religion from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1983. Around that time, he opened the Maui School of Yoga Therapy. In 1999, he founded the American Viniyoga Institute™, LLC. Since then, he has become a renowned speaker and teacher of the Viniyoga methodology at many conferences and schools nationally and internationally.

Gary has successfully developed the protocol for two National Institutes of Health studies: “Evaluating Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain” and “Yoga Therapy for Generalized Anxiety”, as well for the “Mind-Body Stress Reduction in the Workplace” clinical trial for Aetna Insurance Company.

He is the Director and Senior Teacher of the American Viniyoga Institute (AVI®), the author of two books published by Penguin: Yoga for Wellness and Yoga for Transformation, and author of four educational DVD’s: Viniyoga Therapy for Low Back, Sacrum and Hips and Viniyoga Therapy for Upper Back, Neck and Shoulders, Viniyoga Therapy for Depression, and Viniyoga Therapy for Anxiety. He has also produced several online workshops: Pranayama Unlocked, Meditation Unlocked, Yoga Therapy for Depression, Yoga Therapy for Better Sleep, Yoga Therapy for Anxiety, and Āsana Unlocked.