Q: Is the IYT program registered with the Yoga Alliance? Will I be able to register with Yoga Alliance upon completion of the Sundara IYT training?
A: Yes, Integrative Yoga Therapy, 200hr & 500hr programs are registered with the Yoga Alliance, and Sundara Yoga Therapy is a Registered Yoga School (RYS) with the Yoga Alliance (YA). Upon completion of the program, you will earn a certificate and will be able to register independently with YA. We highly recommend registration, as many employers require registration, and you'll be added to their national registry database. As a studio owner, I search the YA registry when considering hiring a teacher I do not know personally.

Q: "Why is there a requirement of a minimum of 1 year experience with yoga, and an application? Some schools do not require any experience at all-you pay, you go.”
A: The IYT program covers the basics on how to teach public yoga classes, but we go much deeper and our graduates come out of our program as solid teachers with strong foundation in therapeutics. We feel that it is our duty to ensure that students are ready to pursue studies and succeed in our program, and therefore experience is necessary. It is difficult to say when a student is ready based on length of time they have practiced yoga, none-the-less we feel it is necessary to set some barrier to entry in order to ensure that an inexperienced student will not languish, and we can take our class work deeper into the subtle aspects of yoga and specializations without having to cover the bare minimum basics (i.e. what is downward facing dog?). Without at least a year's experience, we don't feel that students can have the knowledge base required to take on the deeper teachings. The IYT program is recognized internationally, and has successfully integrated into the allopathic world. It is important that we hold high standards for our students and properly prepare our graduates as future yoga educators.

Q: "Why is a High School Diploma or GED required?"
A: We are in the process of registering with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to become an accredited higher education facility. The TWC requires all entrants into our program have the minimum requirement of a HS Diploma or GED. The licensing process takes up to 6 months, and in that time we are expected to comply as if we were already through the process. If you cannot find your diploma, contact your HS to request a new one.

Q: "I do not have a strong practice, I prefer a gentler style of yoga, and I am worried that I will not be strong enough"
A: Do not worry. We honor all preferences; you do not have to participate in all asana. We will teach some physically demanding asana, as well as gentle. If sections feel too demanding to you, you have the option to sit out and take notes. You should be exposed to how to teach all levels, regardless of your personal practice. A "strong" practice (physically demanding) should not be equated to "advanced."

Q: "Do you have a payment plan option"
A: Yes, please call or email Genevieve to make arrangements for a payment plan. Please note: we cannot give out a completion certificate until tuition has been paid in full.

Q: "Is there a final exam? If yes, what if I fail?"
A: Yes, there is a final examination. The final exam is broken up into sections. If you are not able to pass a section of the final, we will work with you until you understand the material fully and are able to pass that section. You do not need to repeat the entire exam, just the section you miss. If you need to repeat a class segment (optional) there is no cost for the repeated class.

Q: "Can I miss a class?" I know I have a commitment on one of the weekends of the cohort that works best with my schedule; can we work around that?"
A: You cannot "miss" any classes, but you can make up classes that you are not able to attend with permission as long as we arrange it ahead of time. Privates may also be scheduled with faculty members, but the private rates for each instructor will apply. The Yoga Alliance requires that you have 180 contact hours with the Sundara Faculty. If you have any questions, call us and we'll work with you to try to find a solution.

The forever present: WHAT IS A YOGA THERAPIST? TYPE OF QUESTIONS...

Q: "Will I be a Yoga Therapist when I finish the 200hr IYT course?"
A: No, you will be a 200-RYT Integrative Yoga Therapist, this is not the same as the conventionally accepted title of "Professional Yoga Therapist (PYT500 or PYT 1000)" You do not have to be a PYT to work with specialized populations and alongside the medical profession. We will cover how to work toward a specialization in the 200 hr training. Many 200hr IYT graduates work in healthcare systems and with complementary wellness programs.

Q: "Who sets the standards for Yoga Therapy?"
A:The standards for yoga therapy that Sundara recognizes and follows, is set by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). A Professional Yoga Therapist (PYT) has a minimum of 500hr study in a specified Yoga Therapy program (different than 500RYT program). Completion of the 200hr IYT course will automatically ensure acceptance into the 500 hr IYT program, which I highly recommend.
Anyone can join the IAYT for a minimal fee, and I recommend all teachers do; however, membership alone does not make a teacher a yoga therapist (per IAYT guidelines). Membership with IAYT gives teachers access to a fantastic community and a professional journal with the latest research in yoga therapy, and shows that the teacher is keeping up with the latest research and techniques used in yoga therapy.

Q: Why do some 200RYT's use the title "Yoga Therapist?"
A: Personally, I don't have an opinion about what others call themselves; a title does not create a successful practice-it may open a door, but if clients are not well served, they will not return and the medical community will not refer clients. Knowledge, practice, experience and education is what supports a successful career in Yoga Therapy-65% of my private yoga therapy clients are referred by doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, physical therapists etc.  Many 200hr RYT's call themselves "Yoga Therapists" without understanding what is conventionally and professionally accepted as the minimal standard to use that title; not to be deceptive, but rather lack of understanding (or concern) of what is going on in the yoga therapy world. Others choose to scoff at any regulating body and/or standards which they see as arbitrary. I understand and sympathize with all-there are many fantastic and knowledgeable teachers that have not had formal training, but have earned respect from their students/clients for their beautiful and powerful teaching. It is not my place to judge, nor is it my desire. I simply agree with, and respect the IAYT, and I choose to abide by the standards IAYT set for this new, exciting and blossoming field called Yoga Therapy. There is no licensing or governing body for Yoga Therapy at this time. Regulation seems imminent, however for now, it is run on the honor system-the IAYT requests that teachers refrain from using the title "Yoga Therapist", if they have not finished the required and sanctioned studies that have been established by the board of the IAYT-ESPECIALLY if they are IAYT members.