The Yoga Therapy Institute

The Yoga Therapy Institute is an international, IAYT accredited school for Yoga Therapy and Yoga Therapy education and training.

Our origins

The Yoga Therapy Institute was founded in 2017 by Montserrat G.Mukherjee one of the first C-IAYT Yoga Therapists in Europe, currently based in the Netherlands.

With more than 20 years of hands-on experience, Montserrat has worked with clients from all over the world, suffering from a wide range of health conditions.

The Yoga Therapy Institute has a dedicated and highly experienced teaching faculty. We also work with an exceptional team of expert collaborators and professionals.

The Yoga Therapy Institute offers a 625-hour and an IAYT-accredited 875-hour diploma, as well as elective professional development workshops. The curriculum consists of a unique combination of biomedical modules, which provide extensive knowledge and understanding of:

• The body systems from a biomedical perspective
• Psychology and trauma studies relevant to the work of a yoga therapist
• The practical yoga therapy approaches to disease and maintenance of health
• Case studies and clinical  work, demonstrating the practical application of Yoga Therapy in real-life situations.
• The professional referral process and how to work in a collaborative manner within the many layers of the health care system and as part of an extended health community.

The course content is constantly being adapted to accommodate new research findings and innovative practical applications, continuing to raise the bar for the education of Yoga Therapists.

The training at the Yoga Therapy Institute teaches students all the knowledge, skills and practical applications required to be effective and compassionate Yoga Therapists and it does this in a collaborative, fun and supportive environment.

Our Philosophy

The essence of our Yoga Therapy work is based on a few, solid principles:

1. Respect for the person as a whole. Not only someone’s health issues but every aspect of the human being, inspired by the five Koshas and the Eight Limbs of Yoga.
2. Knowledge. Good intentions need to be supported by wisdom and knowledge. It is important to acquire an in-depth knowledge of health and disease, human psychology and the social environment.
3. Safety. Something that is often missing in yoga practice! Respect and knowledge equal safety, therefore we create the right environment for our clients and students to heal and grow.
4. Compassion. We care for our clients and train our students to care for others as well as to practise self-care. A smile, a cup of tea and a warm welcome can already be a contribution to others!
5. Trauma Informed. We believe that Yoga Therapy should be trauma informed. Trauma in its various degrees and complexities are part of the human condition and as such, our students are trained to recognise the need for trauma informed practices and referral for their clients.

‘At The Yoga Therapy Institute we believe in the  healing properties of traditional yoga principles, modern Yoga Therapy, Ayurvedic and conventional medicine, adapted to the individual for their personal needs” 

Our vision

1. To work with those who are in need and who can benefit from the safe practices of Yoga Therapy – regardless of their age, gender, disability, gender identity and social condition.
2. To train and educate yoga teachers and medical professionals to become IAYT-certified Yoga Therapists, following the principles of the IAYT and The Yoga Therapy Institute. Promoting the credibility and viability of accredited Yoga Therapy studies as a valuable healing modality.
3. To give a voice and offer a safe space to those who feel marginalised or overwhelmed though a variety of physical, emotional, social or health issues.
4. To provide a learning platform for advanced Yoga Therapy training and education.
5. To continue to develop our courses to accommodate new research findings and innovative practical applications, raising the bar for the education of Yoga Therapists.
6. Encouraging collaboration with, and providing complimentary support to, conventional medicine.

What is the difference between yoga and Yoga Therapy?

“Adapt the Asana to the person, not the person to the Asana”

Yoga Therapy is an inclusive, accessible way for people to improve their health and wellbeing, facilitated by a combination of medical knowledge, adapted yoga practices and philosophy and a compassionate focus on the individual. Yoga Therapy adapts to the individual and therefore, no-one is left behind or unable to benefit.

A Yoga Therapist guides their client or student on their journey to health from the perspective of Salutogenesis  – by understanding the origins of health and by focussing on factors that support human health and well-being, rather than on factors that cause disease

Yoga Therapy offers hope and the possibility of change as each client or student is guided in a unique way towards health. Tailored practices and using a whole person approach, means that everyone has the capacity to be guided towards the creation of health.

Yoga Therapy recognises the profound connection between mind, breath and body.  It empowers individuals to take responsibility for their health through their choices, encouraging proprioception, allowance, self-care and a lack of self judgement.

Yoga Therapy is trauma-sensitive and offers a compassionate and gentle doorway into easing emotional suffering and lack of agency.

Our students & clients

Some of our clients and students have been coming to us for many years, most of them suffering from  a wide range of medical issues, including:

• Lower back pain
• Cancer
• Degenerative diseases
• Auto-immune diseases
• Heart disease
• Herniated disc
• Chronic pain
• Insomnia
• Postnatal issues
• Depression and anxiety
• Musculoskeletal injuries

For inspiration, you can read the personal testimonials in our students & clients section on this website.

And if you would like to know more about our work, please contact us at kaz@theyogatherapyinstitute.org.

We will be happy to help.

The Team at The Yoga Therapy Institute