800-hour yoga therapy training

Spanda Institute’s 800‑hour Yoga Therapy Training is a comprehensive, nearly decade-in-the-making programme that blends ancient yogic wisdom with modern scientific insight. Designed for certified yoga teachers aiming to become yoga therapists or enhance their therapeutic capacity, it empowers you to deliver personalised, healing-oriented practices for various physical, mental, and emotional needs, whether in one-on-one or group settings. We are excited to share our extensive knowledge and experience in the field of Yoga Therapy with you, and offer you the most flexible Yoga Therapy Programme available.

Overview

Key Features

  • An extensive 800‑hour curriculum is delivered both online and in-person, offering unmatched flexibility.

  • Tuition-free in-person modules, typically held in Portugal, available several times per year.

  • Group Zoom mentoring sessions encourage peer connection, deepen learning, and provide supportive case-study discussions.

  • Supervised one-to-one sessions, personalised practice design, and integrated case studies to develop therapeutic acumen

  • Multidisciplinary, trauma-sensitive and science-informed, following the latest research in the body/mind field

  • Spanda is currently a member school of IAYT, with full accreditation expected in 2025, allowing you to benefit from lower fees now.

Format & Timing

  • Delivery options include full online access via Spanda’s user-friendly platform, with occasional optional in-person modules in Portugal (subject to availability).

  • Completion timeframe: 2-4 years, providing ample time to study in depth and integrate the learning.

Investment

  • One-time full payment: €7,600

  • Five-instalment plan: €8,000 total (5 × €1,600), with payments every four months.

  • Twenty-four monthly installments: €8,400 total (24 × €350)

  • 20% discount for Spanda alumni

What You’ll Learn

  • Part I – Fundamental Teachings: Building Foundations

  • Part II – Fundamental Tools: Expanding Your Toolkit

  • Part III – Yoga Therapy Modules: Applying Therapeutic Knowledge

Faculty

  • Nina Vukas (E‑RYT 500, RPYT, C‑IAYT) – Programme Director, lead trainer, and founder of Spanda Institute; psychologist and somatic psychotherapist with over two decades of teaching experience

  • Marina Moric (RYT 500, RPYT, PhD in Neuroscience) – Science and neuroscience specialist contributing evidence-informed insight

  • Gea Krajcar (E‑RYT 500, RPYT) – Leads prenatal, accessible yoga, and myofascial release; brings deep expertise in adaptive teaching

  • Teresa Wohlmannstetter (E‑RYT 500, RPYT, physiotherapist) – Anatomy and physiology expert; contributes orthopaedic and manual therapy knowledge

  • Laurelle Fullan (RYT 500) – Specialist in trauma-sensitive Yoga Nidra and embodied calm practices

  • Guest teachers enrich the learning experience through additional expertise and perspectives

Beyond the Training

  • Ready yourself to practice professionally as a certified yoga therapist, confident in clinical reasoning, therapeutic tools, and inclusive practice

  • Join and contribute to the Spanda Sangha, a community of practitioners committed to continued growth and mutual support

What is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga Therapy is a specialised field for certified Yoga Teachers (from any recognised association) who aspire to become Yoga Therapists or deepen their understanding of how to address various challenges within the body and mind. It provides preventive and healing yogic practices tailored to individuals with specific injuries or health conditions, offering both support and empowerment.

While Yoga Therapy is primarily designed for one-on-one sessions, the knowledge and techniques gained can also be effectively applied in group settings, enriching your teaching and broadening your impact.

Person practicing yoga in a child's pose on a yoga mat, with arms extended forward and head resting on the floor.
Woman practicing yoga in a bright room with plants, sitting cross-legged on a mat, smiling at a laptop.

How is This Training Delivered?

You have the flexibility to complete this course entirely online or attend select modules in person, which are tuition-free for enrolled students. The online content is delivered through our comprehensive and user-friendly platform, featuring pre-recorded lectures, readings, and assignments.

In-person modules are offered several times a year, primarily in Portugal, giving you the opportunity to join whenever it suits your schedule. Additionally, group Zoom mentoring sessions provide a supportive environment to connect with mentors and peers, ask questions, and discuss case studies.

You will have two years minimum, and four years maximum to complete this training.

Programme Accreditation

We are actively pursuing full certification by IAYT, the most recognised international organisation for Yoga Therapists and Yoga Therapy schools, with accreditation expected in 2025. For now, we are proud to be registered as a member school with IAYT.

Take advantage of our current lower prices before full accreditation, as we will need to align our fees with other accredited schools once certification is complete.

Programme Overview

Part I – Fundamental Teachings: Building Foundations
This part establishes the core knowledge and professional grounding needed for yoga therapy. You’ll explore the history, philosophy, and scope of yoga therapy, gain a solid understanding of applied anatomy and functional biomechanics, and be introduced to Ayurvedic principles. You’ll also develop essential research and assessment skills, preparing you to work safely, ethically, and effectively in diverse settings.

Part II – Fundamental Tools: Expanding Your Toolkit
In this section, you'll learn to apply the primary tools of yoga therapy, including pranayama, meditation, myofascial release, trauma-sensitive practices, and somatic awareness. You’ll gain confidence in adapting practices for different populations, such as prenatal clients and older adults, while learning to make yoga accessible and inclusive through the use of props and modifications. This stage is focused on practical, adaptable skills to support varied therapeutic needs.

Part III – Yoga Therapy Modules: Applying Therapeutic Knowledge
This final phase offers a deep dive into yoga therapy for all major body systems, including musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, immune, and reproductive health, as well as mental health and cancer support. You’ll apply your learning in supervised one-to-one sessions, develop personalised practices for clients, and complete case studies that integrate theory and real-world application.

By the end of the program, you'll be equipped with the clinical reasoning, therapeutic tools, and confidence to begin your professional work as a Yoga Therapist, capable of supporting individuals with a wide range of health conditions.

A woman practicing yoga on a rock formation overlooking a misty mountain landscape, standing in a tree pose with hands in prayer position.

Investment

  • Paid in full: 7600 euros

  • Five Instalments: 8000 euros (5 x 1600 euros)

  • 24 monthly Instalments: 8400 euros (24 x 350 euros)

Five instalments:
1st instalment: before your desired start date
Each next instalment is due every four months from the start date

24 instalments: 
1st instalment before your desired start date, followed by one instalment each month for 23 months.

Spanda Alumni - 20% off

Spanda Institute student performing Bhu mudra

Meet the Teachers

  • nina vukas, spanda institute founder and programme director

    Nina Vukas

    E-RYT 500, RPYT, C-IAYT
    PROGRAM DIRECTOR, LEAD TRAINER

    Nina, founder of Spanda Institute, is a yoga teacher, teacher trainer, therapist, and author with over two decades of teaching experience. Holding a degree in psychology, applied neuroscience and certification in somatic psychotherapy, she brings a unique blend of expertise to her teaching. As the lead trainer and mentor for this Yoga Therapy Training, Nina will guide you through a transformative journey, sharing her knowledge and experience wholeheartedly.

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  • A young woman with long dark hair smiling outdoors in front of green foliage, wearing a shiny blue top.

    Marina Moric

    RYT 500, RPYT, PhD
    NEUROSCIENCE TEACHER &
    TEACHER TRAINER

    Marina is a yoga teacher and biologist with a PhD in Neuroscience. A graduate of Spanda Institute’s 200- and 300-hour programs, she combines her scientific expertise with her love for yoga. As part of the Yoga Therapy Training, she teaches neuroscience and its applications in yoga and therapy, enriching the program with her unique perspective.

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  • A young woman with long brown hair smiling, standing in a lush, green outdoor setting.

    Gea Krajcar

    E-RYT 500, RPYT
    PRENATAL YOGA, ACESSIBLE YOGA, MYOFASCIALL RELEASE

    Gea is one of our lead trainers for Spanda Institute’s 200- and 300-hour programs and the program director for the Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training. She is the founder of SOMA Yoga Wandsworth in London, where she teaches when not leading retreats and training courses. For the Yoga Therapy Training, Gea will teach the Prenatal module, sharing her expertise in this specialised field.

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  • A young woman with long, light brown hair and blue eyes, smiling softly at the camera, outdoors with a blurred green background.

    Teresa Wohlmannstetter

    E-RYT 500, RPYT, PHYSIO
    ANATOMY & PHISIOLOGY

    Teresa is a physiotherapist, yoga teacher, and anatomy teacher with experience in orthopaedic practice. A graduate of Spanda Institute’s 200- and 300-hour and Prenatal programs, she combines her expertise in anatomy, manual therapy, and sound healing to support therapeutic applications of yoga. As part of the Yoga Therapy Training, Teresa teaches anatomy and assists select in-person modules, bringing her deep knowledge of the body to guide students in their journey.

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  • A woman with braids, gold hoop earrings, and layered necklaces smiling behind green foliage in an outdoor setting.

    Laurelle Fullan

    RYT 500, YOGA NIDRA TEACHER
    EMBODIED CALM YOGA NIDRA
    YOGA FOR GRIEF

    Laurelle is an experienced yoga teacher, having completed Spanda’s 300-hour YTT, a Yoga Nidra practitioner, astrologer, and end-of-life doula. As part of our Yoga Therapy team, she will be teaching Embodied Calm, Spanda Institute’s Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Nidra method.

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  • Looking up at tall trees in a forest with blue sky visible through the leaves.

    Guest Speakers

    You will meet many other guest teachers and speakers on this training, sharing their knowledge and experience and enriching this transformative training.

    More Soon

Application Process

Ready to apply? Simply complete the form below, and we’ll get back to you promptly. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a call before submitting your application, feel free to email us at admin@spandainstitute.com.