Yoga therapy is “the professional application of the principles and practices of yoga to promote health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship that includes personalized assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management and yoga practices for individuals or small groups.” (IAYT).
A Yoga Therapist is trained in the skills and practices needed for the therapeutic application of yoga principles and practices, for example asana, pranayama, the five koshas model, meditation, and understanding of yoga philosophy for self-awareness.
This point in time represents an exciting opportunity for yoga therapy! Yoga therapy is a relatively new profession that is gaining awareness and recognition as an effective healing modality. Yoga therapy is integrative and complements other healing modalities, including Western practices.
A Yoga Therapist may be one part of a person’s health and healing team. Yoga Therapists are trained to meet their client where they are and support their individual healing and wellness needs regardless of age, gender, health history, physical, or mental ability. Yoga Therapy supports physical, energetic, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being.
This course is the first course in the 800 Hour PranaShanti Yoga Therapy Program and is designed to introduce students to the foundations of Yoga Therapy, the role of the Yoga Therapist, the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), and to PranaShanti’s Yoga Therapy Program.
Learning Objectives:
Learn about Yoga Therapy as an integrative approach to wellness and as an accredited profession with a Code of Ethics, Scope of practice and key competencies set out by the IAYT;
Understand the vision, path, framework, tools & results of Yoga Therapy;
Explore the role and attributes of the Yoga Therapist in 1:1 or small group sessions;
Acquire an overview of the Modules and topics covered in PranaShanti’s Yoga Therapy Program.
Dates and Times:
Monday, January 19 and 26, 2026
6 pm ET to 9 pm ET both evenings
Short breaks.
The training content will be delivered through interactive lecture, reflection, experience, Q&A sessions and a Yoga Therapy intake session role play. Trainers will be modelling Yoga Therapist qualities throughout the course.
This introductory training is suitable for those who are interested in learning more about PranaShanti’s Yoga Therapy Program and/or participating in the program. Our program supports IAYT’s educational standards for yoga therapy. We received accreditation for our program on January 21, 2024, from IAYT.
Cost: $250.00 per person. SAVE $55.00 by registering on or before November 30, 2025 for $195.00 per person.
Fee includes the course, hand-outs, and suggested reading list.
If you live away from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and would like printed training materials to be sent to you, please ensure you sign up at least 10 days before the course start date in order for us to ship the materials to you. Otherwise e-documents will be provided, where possible.
Notes: This course is open to ALL yoga students and teachers of all disciplines. For 200 hour certified Yoga Teachers this course provides CEUs with Yoga Alliance.
This course is part of our 800 Hour Yoga Therapy Training Program.
Our 3,000 square foot Education Centre offers a large open concept training area with high ceilings and an abundance of natural light and excellent ventilation. There is a kitchen with fridge, microwave, kettle and dishware. We have a dining area with tables and chairs, 2 gender neutral bathrooms, and our Administration Office.
Breath is life — and yet so many people breathe in ways that limit their energy, focus, and resilience.
In recent years, breathwork has gained widespread popularity in both wellness and medical communities for its powerful effects on the nervous system, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. But beyond the buzz, there's a deeper truth: learning to breathe well is one of the most accessible and transformative tools we have for supporting our health — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
This course offers a practical, science-informed, and heart-centered approach to breathwork (pranayam), helping you reconnect with your breath in an intentional and sustainable way.
Whether you’re a yoga practitioner, teacher, or wellness professional, you’ll gain tools to:
Understand the science and mechanics of breath
Explore both traditional yogic and modern breath techniques
Build breath awareness and personal resilience
Guide others safely and effectively in pranayam practice
You’ll leave this course with a deeper understanding of the breath and the confidence to share its power with others.
Program Outline:
This 15-hour course dives into the ancient science of pranayam (yogic breathing techniques), offering a blend of traditional knowledge and contemporary application.
You will learn foundational and advanced breathing practices, explore their physiological and energetic effects, and understand how to apply them in your personal practice and teaching.
Topics covered include:
History and philosophy of pranayam
Anatomy, physiology and biomechanics of the breath
Foundational pranayam techniques (Dirga, Sama Vritti, Ujjayi, Nadi Shodhana and more)
Advanced pranayam techniques (Bhastrika, Kapalabhati, Sheetali, Sheetkari and more)
Energetics of pranayam (chakras, nadis, prana)
Integrating pranayam with asana and meditation
Contraindications and safety considerations
Practical teaching skills and sequencing pranayam for students
Learning Objectives:
Understand the fundamental principles and history of pranayam.
Explore the role of breath in regulating physical, mental, and emotional states.
Study the physiological and energetic impact of pranayam on the body and mind.
Learn, practice, and teach key pranayam techniques suitable for different student levels.
Explore the integration of pranayam into asana practice, meditation, and daily life.
Understand the contraindications and safety precautions for pranayama practices.
Develop skills to lead pranayam practices with confidence and clarity.
Dates and Timings:
Tuesdays
January 27, 2026 – March 3, 2026
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET (weekly for 5 sessions)
Note: No session on Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Attend online or in-person at the PranaShanti Education Centre.
Cost and Registration:
SAVE $50.00 when you register on or before December 31, 2025, for $475.00 per person.
$525.00 per person thereafter
Fee includes training, manual, and certificate of completion.
If you're attending from outside Ottawa, Canada, and wish to receive printed training materials by mail, please register at least 10 days before the course start date to ensure delivery. E-documents will be provided otherwise.
Note:
This course is open to the general public. 6 months to 1 year of regular yoga practice is recommended for participation.
For certified 200-hour Yoga Teachers, this course qualifies for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) with Yoga Alliance.
It also counts as an Elective Module in our 300 Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training.
Principles of the Therapeutic Relationship, Ethical and Therapist Considerations
Wednesday, January 28th, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Online and/or In-Person Training
With Monique Newton and Bonney Elliott
Private yoga therapy sessions require a unique set of skills. Yoga Therapists must be able to adapt to the individual needs of each client while also cultivating a professional, ethical, and sustainable practice. The therapeutic relationship extends beyond the actual session—it includes how we present ourselves as professionals, how we market our services, and how we structure and manage our yoga therapy business.
In this course, you will learn and practice the essential skills of listening, presence, and both directive and non-directive dialogue. We will explore the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship and how to create a safe and welcoming space. Ethics as applied to yoga therapy will be addressed, including scope of practice, professional boundaries, the evolving therapeutic relationship, and the importance of referral to other health professionals when appropriate. The role of self-reflection, self-awareness, and peer support will also be emphasized.
To ensure both ethical integrity and long-term sustainability, this module also includes practical business and marketing components. You will develop a business and marketing plan, establish fee structures, and learn strategies for promoting your services as a Yoga Therapist. Record keeping, accounting practices, and other business considerations will be covered as essential elements that support professionalism, boundaries, and ethical conduct.
The field of Yoga Therapy is growing, evolving, and gaining recognition as an important part of holistic, complementary health care. This course integrates therapeutic, ethical, and business skills to prepare you for a sustainable, professional yoga therapy career.
Learning Objectives:
Understand and adjust to individual client needs and develop a trusting relationship that fosters dialogue.
Put into practice their skills of listening, being present and using directive & non-directive language.
Have a full understanding of the ethics of Yoga Therapy and how to create a safe space for clients while maintaining boundaries and self-awareness.
Communicate when they require peer support.
Create a working business/marketing plan that considers a fee structure, record keeping guidelines and accounting practices.
The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice by Adele Deborah. (Optional: To be purchased/provided by the student.)
Yoga Therapy Foundations, Tools, and Practice: A Comprehensive Textbook by by Matra Raj (Foreword), Melinda Atkins (Contributor), Sundar Balasubramanian (Contributor), Marsha D. Banks-Harold (Contributor), Judi Bar (Contributor), Kelli Bethel (Contributor), and numerous other contributors, Laurie Hyland Robertson (Editor), Diane Finlayson (Editor)
There are no additional fees, books, supply costs or other additional expenses beyond the course fee for this course.
Assessment:
Pre-course reading assignment that is discussed during course. Informal Observation: In-session. Open-ended Questions: In-session. Small Group Exercises: Role playing – pairs and triads reporting back to full group. Self-reflective Exercise/Journal Reflection. Homework: Written assignment with a 400-600 word summary essay. Case Study.
Dates and Timings:
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 to Sunday, February 1, 2026:
5 consecutive full days
9 am ET - 5 pm ET each day
Cost: $795.00 per person SAVE $50.00 by registering before November 30, 2025, for $745.00.
If you live away from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and would like printed training materials to be sent to you, please ensure you sign up at least 10 days before the course start date in order for us to ship the materials to you. Otherwise e-documents will be provided, where possible.
Notes:
This course is open to ALL yoga students and teachers of all disciplines. For 200 hour certified Yoga Teachers this course provides CEUs with Yoga Alliance.
This course is part of our 800 Hour Yoga Therapy Training Program.
Our 3,000 square foot Education Centre offers a large open concept training area with high ceilings and an abundance of natural light and excellent ventilation. There is a kitchen with fridge, microwave, kettle and dishware. We have a dining area with tables and chairs, 2 gender neutral bathrooms, and our Administration Office.
Practice postures that encourage a healthy, happy pregnancy and birth. Connect with other as you move your body in ways that feel good and help alleviate some of the common effects of pregnancy.
You will learn breathing and relaxation techniques, as well as simple postures that can be beneficial for your pregnancy, labour and motherhood!
Each week we will discuss topics such as pelvic health, incl. pelvic floor and pelvic stability, diastasis prevention, pain management and birth positions.
These classes are perfect for every stage of pregnancy. In fact, many women stay from beginning thru to their due dates!
Dates and Times:
6-week series
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm each evening
Cost: $180.00 per person for the 6 week series.
$35.00 per person Drop-In Fee.
No previous yoga experience is required.
A birthing partner is welcome to attend at no additional cost.
Location: PranaShanti Education Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave., 2nd Floor, Ottawa, ON.
Principles of the Therapeutic Relationship, Ethical and Therapist Considerations
Thursday, January 29th, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Online and/or In-Person Training
With Monique Newton and Bonney Elliott
Private yoga therapy sessions require a unique set of skills. Yoga Therapists must be able to adapt to the individual needs of each client while also cultivating a professional, ethical, and sustainable practice. The therapeutic relationship extends beyond the actual session—it includes how we present ourselves as professionals, how we market our services, and how we structure and manage our yoga therapy business.
In this course, you will learn and practice the essential skills of listening, presence, and both directive and non-directive dialogue. We will explore the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship and how to create a safe and welcoming space. Ethics as applied to yoga therapy will be addressed, including scope of practice, professional boundaries, the evolving therapeutic relationship, and the importance of referral to other health professionals when appropriate. The role of self-reflection, self-awareness, and peer support will also be emphasized.
To ensure both ethical integrity and long-term sustainability, this module also includes practical business and marketing components. You will develop a business and marketing plan, establish fee structures, and learn strategies for promoting your services as a Yoga Therapist. Record keeping, accounting practices, and other business considerations will be covered as essential elements that support professionalism, boundaries, and ethical conduct.
The field of Yoga Therapy is growing, evolving, and gaining recognition as an important part of holistic, complementary health care. This course integrates therapeutic, ethical, and business skills to prepare you for a sustainable, professional yoga therapy career.
Learning Objectives:
Understand and adjust to individual client needs and develop a trusting relationship that fosters dialogue.
Put into practice their skills of listening, being present and using directive & non-directive language.
Have a full understanding of the ethics of Yoga Therapy and how to create a safe space for clients while maintaining boundaries and self-awareness.
Communicate when they require peer support.
Create a working business/marketing plan that considers a fee structure, record keeping guidelines and accounting practices.
The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice by Adele Deborah. (Optional: To be purchased/provided by the student.)
Yoga Therapy Foundations, Tools, and Practice: A Comprehensive Textbook by by Matra Raj (Foreword), Melinda Atkins (Contributor), Sundar Balasubramanian (Contributor), Marsha D. Banks-Harold (Contributor), Judi Bar (Contributor), Kelli Bethel (Contributor), and numerous other contributors, Laurie Hyland Robertson (Editor), Diane Finlayson (Editor)
There are no additional fees, books, supply costs or other additional expenses beyond the course fee for this course.
Assessment:
Pre-course reading assignment that is discussed during course. Informal Observation: In-session. Open-ended Questions: In-session. Small Group Exercises: Role playing – pairs and triads reporting back to full group. Self-reflective Exercise/Journal Reflection. Homework: Written assignment with a 400-600 word summary essay. Case Study.
Dates and Timings:
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 to Sunday, February 1, 2026:
5 consecutive full days
9 am ET - 5 pm ET each day
Cost: $795.00 per person SAVE $50.00 by registering before November 30, 2025, for $745.00.
If you live away from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and would like printed training materials to be sent to you, please ensure you sign up at least 10 days before the course start date in order for us to ship the materials to you. Otherwise e-documents will be provided, where possible.
Notes:
This course is open to ALL yoga students and teachers of all disciplines. For 200 hour certified Yoga Teachers this course provides CEUs with Yoga Alliance.
This course is part of our 800 Hour Yoga Therapy Training Program.
Our 3,000 square foot Education Centre offers a large open concept training area with high ceilings and an abundance of natural light and excellent ventilation. There is a kitchen with fridge, microwave, kettle and dishware. We have a dining area with tables and chairs, 2 gender neutral bathrooms, and our Administration Office.
Gently stretch, strengthen and relax areas of the body affected by parenthood, meet other parents & bond with your baby using songs, physical movements and simple infant massage. Focus is on proper breathing & posture and poses that safely rebuild the core. This class is beneficial for anyone with diastasis recti or c-section scars.
We will discuss pelvic health, diastasis recti, c-section care, proper sitting & standing posture plus lifting & carrying baby. Class is designed for all levels and stages of the postpartum period.
Cost: $130.00 per person for the 4 week series. $35.00 per person Drop-In.
Enjoy tea and community time after class!
This class is open to all parents and caregivers! No previous yoga experience is required.
Location: PranaShanti Yoga Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave. Ottawa, ON. Studio: Soul Room.
Principles of the Therapeutic Relationship, Ethical and Therapist Considerations
Friday, January 30th, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Online and/or In-Person Training
With Monique Newton and Bonney Elliott
Private yoga therapy sessions require a unique set of skills. Yoga Therapists must be able to adapt to the individual needs of each client while also cultivating a professional, ethical, and sustainable practice. The therapeutic relationship extends beyond the actual session—it includes how we present ourselves as professionals, how we market our services, and how we structure and manage our yoga therapy business.
In this course, you will learn and practice the essential skills of listening, presence, and both directive and non-directive dialogue. We will explore the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship and how to create a safe and welcoming space. Ethics as applied to yoga therapy will be addressed, including scope of practice, professional boundaries, the evolving therapeutic relationship, and the importance of referral to other health professionals when appropriate. The role of self-reflection, self-awareness, and peer support will also be emphasized.
To ensure both ethical integrity and long-term sustainability, this module also includes practical business and marketing components. You will develop a business and marketing plan, establish fee structures, and learn strategies for promoting your services as a Yoga Therapist. Record keeping, accounting practices, and other business considerations will be covered as essential elements that support professionalism, boundaries, and ethical conduct.
The field of Yoga Therapy is growing, evolving, and gaining recognition as an important part of holistic, complementary health care. This course integrates therapeutic, ethical, and business skills to prepare you for a sustainable, professional yoga therapy career.
Learning Objectives:
Understand and adjust to individual client needs and develop a trusting relationship that fosters dialogue.
Put into practice their skills of listening, being present and using directive & non-directive language.
Have a full understanding of the ethics of Yoga Therapy and how to create a safe space for clients while maintaining boundaries and self-awareness.
Communicate when they require peer support.
Create a working business/marketing plan that considers a fee structure, record keeping guidelines and accounting practices.
The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice by Adele Deborah. (Optional: To be purchased/provided by the student.)
Yoga Therapy Foundations, Tools, and Practice: A Comprehensive Textbook by by Matra Raj (Foreword), Melinda Atkins (Contributor), Sundar Balasubramanian (Contributor), Marsha D. Banks-Harold (Contributor), Judi Bar (Contributor), Kelli Bethel (Contributor), and numerous other contributors, Laurie Hyland Robertson (Editor), Diane Finlayson (Editor)
There are no additional fees, books, supply costs or other additional expenses beyond the course fee for this course.
Assessment:
Pre-course reading assignment that is discussed during course. Informal Observation: In-session. Open-ended Questions: In-session. Small Group Exercises: Role playing – pairs and triads reporting back to full group. Self-reflective Exercise/Journal Reflection. Homework: Written assignment with a 400-600 word summary essay. Case Study.
Dates and Timings:
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 to Sunday, February 1, 2026:
5 consecutive full days
9 am ET - 5 pm ET each day
Cost: $795.00 per person SAVE $50.00 by registering before November 30, 2025, for $745.00.
If you live away from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and would like printed training materials to be sent to you, please ensure you sign up at least 10 days before the course start date in order for us to ship the materials to you. Otherwise e-documents will be provided, where possible.
Notes:
This course is open to ALL yoga students and teachers of all disciplines. For 200 hour certified Yoga Teachers this course provides CEUs with Yoga Alliance.
This course is part of our 800 Hour Yoga Therapy Training Program.
Our 3,000 square foot Education Centre offers a large open concept training area with high ceilings and an abundance of natural light and excellent ventilation. There is a kitchen with fridge, microwave, kettle and dishware. We have a dining area with tables and chairs, 2 gender neutral bathrooms, and our Administration Office.
Principles of the Therapeutic Relationship, Ethical and Therapist Considerations
Saturday, January 31st, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Online and/or In-Person Training
With Monique Newton and Bonney Elliott
Private yoga therapy sessions require a unique set of skills. Yoga Therapists must be able to adapt to the individual needs of each client while also cultivating a professional, ethical, and sustainable practice. The therapeutic relationship extends beyond the actual session—it includes how we present ourselves as professionals, how we market our services, and how we structure and manage our yoga therapy business.
In this course, you will learn and practice the essential skills of listening, presence, and both directive and non-directive dialogue. We will explore the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship and how to create a safe and welcoming space. Ethics as applied to yoga therapy will be addressed, including scope of practice, professional boundaries, the evolving therapeutic relationship, and the importance of referral to other health professionals when appropriate. The role of self-reflection, self-awareness, and peer support will also be emphasized.
To ensure both ethical integrity and long-term sustainability, this module also includes practical business and marketing components. You will develop a business and marketing plan, establish fee structures, and learn strategies for promoting your services as a Yoga Therapist. Record keeping, accounting practices, and other business considerations will be covered as essential elements that support professionalism, boundaries, and ethical conduct.
The field of Yoga Therapy is growing, evolving, and gaining recognition as an important part of holistic, complementary health care. This course integrates therapeutic, ethical, and business skills to prepare you for a sustainable, professional yoga therapy career.
Learning Objectives:
Understand and adjust to individual client needs and develop a trusting relationship that fosters dialogue.
Put into practice their skills of listening, being present and using directive & non-directive language.
Have a full understanding of the ethics of Yoga Therapy and how to create a safe space for clients while maintaining boundaries and self-awareness.
Communicate when they require peer support.
Create a working business/marketing plan that considers a fee structure, record keeping guidelines and accounting practices.
The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice by Adele Deborah. (Optional: To be purchased/provided by the student.)
Yoga Therapy Foundations, Tools, and Practice: A Comprehensive Textbook by by Matra Raj (Foreword), Melinda Atkins (Contributor), Sundar Balasubramanian (Contributor), Marsha D. Banks-Harold (Contributor), Judi Bar (Contributor), Kelli Bethel (Contributor), and numerous other contributors, Laurie Hyland Robertson (Editor), Diane Finlayson (Editor)
There are no additional fees, books, supply costs or other additional expenses beyond the course fee for this course.
Assessment:
Pre-course reading assignment that is discussed during course. Informal Observation: In-session. Open-ended Questions: In-session. Small Group Exercises: Role playing – pairs and triads reporting back to full group. Self-reflective Exercise/Journal Reflection. Homework: Written assignment with a 400-600 word summary essay. Case Study.
Dates and Timings:
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 to Sunday, February 1, 2026:
5 consecutive full days
9 am ET - 5 pm ET each day
Cost: $795.00 per person SAVE $50.00 by registering before November 30, 2025, for $745.00.
If you live away from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and would like printed training materials to be sent to you, please ensure you sign up at least 10 days before the course start date in order for us to ship the materials to you. Otherwise e-documents will be provided, where possible.
Notes:
This course is open to ALL yoga students and teachers of all disciplines. For 200 hour certified Yoga Teachers this course provides CEUs with Yoga Alliance.
This course is part of our 800 Hour Yoga Therapy Training Program.
Our 3,000 square foot Education Centre offers a large open concept training area with high ceilings and an abundance of natural light and excellent ventilation. There is a kitchen with fridge, microwave, kettle and dishware. We have a dining area with tables and chairs, 2 gender neutral bathrooms, and our Administration Office.
At the intersection of Yin Yoga and Gong Meditation is a sweet spot where mind and body are totally relaxed and totally aligned. The Yin Yoga practice lengthens and opens the physical body, massaging deep connective tissue in a most relaxing way.
The gong’s warm vibrations envelop your entire being in wave after wave of preternatural sound that will affect you at the cellular level. Chances are you’ll feel pretty good after this practice.
Come share this experience, every third Saturday at 3:00 pm.
Cost: PranaShanti Drop-In Fee, Class Package or Membership.
This class is held in our warmly heated studio, the Body Room, with the lighting dimmed for a restful and restoring experience.
Yoga blocks, blankets and bolsters are available in the studio room. Please bring with you the additional props you require to rest comfortably for the 60 minute session. Dress comfortably.
