An estimated 20-25% of North Americans and 1.5 billion people worldwide live with chronic pain and a growing number of health professionals are recommending yoga to their patients particularly since we now have research to support yoga is a potentially safe and effective approach for improving function, pain and quality of life for people with chronic pain.

Yoga therapists are well positioned to contribute to a comprehensive pain care plan. However, misunderstandings about pain by the therapist can result in suboptimal outcomes for the person in pain, where the therapist might use language that unintentionally limits the potential for recovery and resilience or might avoid yoga practices that ultimately would improve tissue health, reduce inflammation, support self-efficacy, help restore more ease of movement, and help regain activities that the person enjoys and values in life.

Yoga therapy requires a unique set of tools. Yoga therapy sessions are sequenced very differently from group yoga classes. Yoga therapists need to be able to listen and understand verbal and non-verbal cues and language, and to be able to adapt sequencing to meet the individual needs of their clients. In this module, we will learn how to sequence individual yoga therapy sessions, with a particular focus on listening and responding to the needs of our students. We will also discuss the principles of sequencing for small group yoga therapy classes.

Shelly is renowned in the field of yoga therapy and physical therapy for her work in pelvic health. This module offers education and development of skills required to integrate evidence-informed pelvic floor (PF) health and yoga therapy to enhance PF rehabilitation and wellness within yoga therapy scope of practice. Biopsychosocial factors influencing PF function, current evidence and best practice guidelines for pelvic rehabilitation are included. Includes live online lectures, break-out group and large group discussions, pre-recorded video practices and lectures, a case study group discussion and an assignment.

This module will address the anatomy of the shoulders, forearms and wrists, while exploring the balance of mobility and stability. Learn how to work specific injuries such as (rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, dislocation, carpal tunnel and more!) This module is an opportunity to deepen in experience and hands on application of functional movements of the shoulder, wrists and forearm. Through practice and discussion we will explore safe techniques and applications of yoga therapy for the shoulders, wrist and forearms.