International Association of Yoga Therapists

06/22/2026

✨ Join IAYT's Certification Committee!

IAYT members: We're looking for passionate volunteers to join the Certification Committee (CC)! As a committee member, you'll help support the continued growth and integrity of the profession by contributing to:

✅ Certification policy development
✅ C-IAYT recertification
✅ Professional development initiatives

If you're interested in giving back to the field and helping guide the future of yoga therapy, we invite you to learn more about the role and submit a volunteer application here: https://buff.ly/ocgkGDF

06/14/2026

📣 Thank you for helping make the 2026 Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research (SYTAR) in Costa Mesa, CA, such a meaningful and memorable gathering!

Day 3 began with uplifting practices that opened the door to deep learning, reflection, and connection.

Special guest Robert Sturman shared his remarkable visual journey documenting yoga around the world. Through powerful images and stories, he highlighted resilience, healing, and our shared humanity—from military veterans and incarcerated individuals to children, caregivers, and yoga practitioners across diverse communities. His message was simple yet profound: see people fully, meet them where they are, and never look down on anyone.

In her keynote, Marsha Banks-Harold explored "trailblazing leadership"—a bold, values-driven approach to creating greater inclusion, belonging, and positive change within wellness and yoga therapy. Helen Lavretsky, MD, MS, UCLA psychiatrist and internationally recognized researcher, shared insights on yoga and mind-body practices for healthy aging, cognitive well-being, stress-related disorders, and the recognition and management of spiritual emergencies.

Afternoon sessions and research presentations explored a wide range of topics, including yoga's cardiovascular effects, yoga for chronic pain, supporting families impacted by cancer, yoga nidra for neurodivergence, biotensegrity and fascia research, ancestral healing, and more. The conference concluded with a celebratory banquet, the presentation of the John Kepner Seva Award to Marsha Banks Harold, and heartfelt moments of connection with our sangha.

💜 Thank you to our presenters, researchers, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees for bringing your wisdom, curiosity, and passion to SYTAR 2026. Together, you continue to advance the field of yoga therapy and strengthen our global community.

We look forward to seeing you at SYTAR 2027!

06/14/2026

✨ When we offer our time and energy in service to others, we strengthen the bonds that connect us all.

In Sanskrit, seva means selfless service—an expression of compassion, connection, and purpose. Each year at SYTAR, IAYT, and The Give Back Yoga Foundation honor individuals making a meaningful difference through the John Kepner Seva Award.

Congratulations to our 2026 Seva Award recipient, Marsha Banks-Harold! Through the PIES Fitness Transformative Holistic Inclusive Community of Care Model for Belonging, Success, and Emotional Well-Being, Marsha's work reaches approximately 2,500 community members each month and demonstrates a powerful, measurable impact.

We also honor our inspiring finalists:

✨ Michal Yarkon- Makom Shaket—Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapy for Healing and Resilience in Communities Affected by War and Chronic Stress
✨ Hersha Harilela-Chellaram - Bridging the Gap: APD Development & Community Scholarships for Accessible Well-Being
✨ Holly Grow - Soft Landings Collective: Somatic Reunification for System-Impacted Families
✨ Hemanth V.R. Yandamuri - Sukha Jivana—Enhancing the Well-Being of Destitute Elderly People Through Yoga Therapy

Marsha D. Banks-Harold is the winner of IAYT’s Seva Award for 2026,...

06/13/2026

✨ Day 2 at SYTAR 2026 began with grounding practices that set the tone for a day of learning, reflection, and connection.

In his keynote, Holger Cramer, PhD, shared a comprehensive overview of the current evidence for yoga in chronic pain management. Drawing from systematic reviews and meta-analyses, he highlighted yoga's effectiveness for chronic low back pain and emerging research across a range of pain conditions.

Judith Hanson Lasater, PhD, PT, C-IAYT, inspired attendees with wisdom, warmth, and humor, reminding us that the foundation of yoga therapy is our own personal sadhana. She reflected on how the quality of our presence can create meaningful ripples in a world that deeply needs these timeless practices.

Afternoon sessions explored topics ranging from lower back therapeutics and elevating service through spiritual practice to yoga therapy for college students. Researchers also shared oral abstract presentations on yogic breathing for hypertensive pregnancies, teleyoga for juvenile idiopathic arthritis, online yoga compared to physiotherapy for patients with spondyloarthritis, a social cognitive theory–based yoga intervention for adolescents with asthma and obesity, and a school-based yoga eating disorder prevention program.

From research and clinical applications to personal practice and professional growth, Day 2 offered something for everyone.

💜 What has been your favorite moment at SYTAR 2026 so far? Share in the comments below!

06/12/2026

🌴 SYTAR 2026 is live from Costa Mesa, CA!

What a memorable start to SYTAR 2026! Day 1 was filled with meaningful connections, learning, practice, and inspiration.

We began with the Meeting of Schools, bringing together leaders in yoga therapy education, followed by engaging roundtable discussions, research presentations, poster sessions, time with our sponsors and exhibitors, and a rejuvenating yoga practice led by Larry Payne, PhD, C-IAYT.

The evening concluded with a warm opening ceremony, a lively reception, and a book signing, bringing our community together in celebration.

From meaningful conversations and emerging research to reconnecting with colleagues and making new connections, Day 1 set the stage for an inspiring weekend ahead.

💜 Were you with us? Share your Day 1 highlights in the comments below!

06/08/2026

✨ Keep the conversation going at SYTAR 2026!

Our redesigned Special Interest Meetings offer a fun, informal way to connect, learn, and share ideas with fellow attendees. Join us Friday evening to explore topics such as:

✅ Career development
✅ Social justice
✅ Research
✅ Specialized areas of yoga therapy practice

These interactive gatherings are open to all SYTAR attendees and offer a unique opportunity to share experiences, build connections, and delve deeper into the topics shaping our field.

📅 Check the SYTAR schedule and scroll to Friday evening to learn more: https://buff.ly/QCn3NZy

06/05/2026

✨ Meet the Organizations Supporting SYTAR 2026 ✨

Get to know the sponsors and partners supporting the 2026 Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research (SYTAR), taking place June 11–13 in Costa Mesa, CA!

Explore their offerings, discover valuable resources, and learn how these organizations are contributing to the yoga therapy profession and community engagement. Watch the full livestream highlighting SYTAR 2026 sponsors and partners: https://buff.ly/HnrDqW7

Connect with mission-aligned organizations and celebrate the community that continues to strengthen and support our profession!

06/03/2026

📣SYTAR 2026 Recordings Pre-Sale: Save up to $50!

Can't make it to SYTAR 2026 in person? Now's your chance to get the content at a special price! SYTAR 2026 recordings are available for pre-purchase through June 15.

🎉 Yoga Therapy Practice Track—$249 (regularly $299)
✦ Unlimited access to every recorded yoga therapy practice session
✦ Opportunity to earn 17 CE credits

🎉 Research Track—$199 (regularly $245)
✦ Access to all recorded research sessions
✦ Opportunity to earn 13 CE credits

Recordings for both tracks will be available in late July, but the pre-purchase discount disappears after June 15—don't miss out!

REMINDER: If you're already registered for the full conference, recordings are included with your registration at no extra cost.

Order Now: https://buff.ly/HFmJ5v9

06/01/2026

📅 August 14: Celebrate Global Yoga Therapy Day!

Join us as we celebrate and share the transformative potential of yoga therapy around the world. Designed for yoga therapy professionals, healthcare providers, researchers, and the public, Global Yoga Therapy Day offers an opportunity to learn, connect, and experience the impact of yoga therapy around the world.

Global Yoga Therapy Day:
📅 Date: August 14, 2026
💻 Format: Live online across multiple time zones
✨ Theme: Yoga Therapy Around the World: Charting a Course to Integration and Impact

Mark your calendar for this FREE, donation-supported event, and stay tuned for details on how to participate and help spread the word.

Learn More: https://buff.ly/MFXA3zZ

05/29/2026

📣 SYTAR Day Passes Now Available!

If you're local or can only join us for part of the event, a day pass is a fantastic way to experience the field's premier gathering for yoga therapy education, research, and connection.

If you're able to join us for the FULL conference, here's what's included:

⭐ Learning from 40+ leading voices in yoga therapy and research
⭐ Session recordings from both tracks—over $540 in added value
⭐ 22 CE credits at no additional charge (IAYT members)

No matter how much time you're able to spend with us, we'd love to welcome you in California—register today and be part of the experience June 11–13 at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa.

Learn more and register: https://buff.ly/TOWA8bD