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Center for Integrative Medicine
Center for Integrative MedicineEvents & TrainingsYoga Teacher Training

Yoga Teacher Training

The University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Integrative Medicine Yoga Teacher trainings are designed to prepare health care professionals and non-healthcare professionals with an interest in health and wellness to use yoga as an integrative tool in the health care setting. Hospitals and other healthcare institutions are seeking easy and effective ways to bring yoga to their patient population and into the workplace. By providing ways to appropriately modify yoga practice for patients with health conditions, we can ensure the safety of the patient while experiencing the benefits of yoga.

These unique programs emphasize the health benefits of yoga while providing an explanation of postures and alignment, yoga philosophy, meditation, toning and chanting. In addition, students will review relevant peer-reviewed research and current trends in the field of yoga.

High stress work environments put healthcare providers at risk of compassion fatigue and burnout. Our yoga training provides self-care tools including Reiki, journaling, and group support through social media platforms and mentoring to help increase empathy, build resilience, increase self-reflection, and prevent burnout. Nurses, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, chiropractors, psychologists, nurse practitioners and physicians are encouraged to consider this yoga teacher training.

Training Options

For health professionals, yoga teachers and the general public:

  • Usui Reiki Training - Two workshops:  Reiki I & II (coming soon) as well as Reiki Practitioner/Teacher Certification (TBD, Fall 2020)

Yoga Teacher Trainings currently available:

  • 200-hour Certification - A Yoga Teacher foundation to increase body and mind awareness using asanas, pranayamas, anatomy, mindfulness, yogic philosophy including energy healing with Reiki.  35-week program.  Next cohort starts September 2020.  Applications available NOW!

  • Continued Education - We are now offering a series of continued education modules for RYTs, teachers, nurses, physicians, Physical Therapists and more.  Topics include Business of Yoga, Integrative Approaches to Chronic Pain, Prenatal Yoga, Yoga for Limited Mobility, Yoga for Kids, and others. (Dates: TBD)

Yoga Therapy: TBD

  • IAYT Continued Education - We are honored to launch continued education for Licensed Health Care Providers who are C-IAYTs and RYTs.  Modules will be half online and half live and topics will include Yoga for Cancer Care and Yoga for Stroke Survivors.

  • Integrative Therapeutic Yoga Program - An IAYT continued education pilot program.  This year-long course includes 300 total hours online weekly lessons and homework.  Must be a 200-Hr RYT AND OT, PT, RN (BSN or higher), MD, ND (MD Licensed only), or DC with active license.  Certificate of completion upon successful conclusion of course.  

For more information

Please email CIMEvents@som.umaryland.edu or call 410-706-6179 for more details.

Course Director

‌Kelli M. Bethel, PT, DPT, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500

Kelli is a practicing physical therapist with over 25 years of experience, a certified yoga therapist, and a registered, experienced 500-hour yoga instructor. She is a registered yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance, and a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She completed her 200-hour Registered Yoga Training (RYT) in 2010 and went on to complete her 500-hour RYT at the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Integrated Medicine. She is now a yoga teacher trainer for the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Center for Integrative Medicine Yoga Teacher Training Programs. In 2017, she accepted the role of Director of Yoga Programs for University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Integrative Medicine. Additionally, Kelli has completed level 1 and 2A training of the Warrior at Ease Program for military personnel and is a Reiki Master.

Kelli is the owner of Tafiya Yoga and Wellness in Maryland. She has worked as a physical therapist with both adult and pediatric clients, with an emphasis on neurologic injuries and diseases. Kelli designed and operates the Yoga for Stroke/Brain Injury Program. The program, which is in its ninth successful year, is currently offered at The University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie and at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Towson, Maryland. In addition to Yoga for Stroke and Brain Injury, she offers therapeutic yoga classes for Cancer at University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center. Kelli sees clients with all types of chronic medical conditions for yoga therapy privately as well. She has lectured on her Yoga for Stroke Program at the International Therapeutic Yoga Annual Conference CIC programming, held round table discussions at the Yoga as Medicine Conference, and given numerous lectures, continuing education workshops and in-services throughout the medical and non-medical community.

 

HERE ARE SOME QUOTES FROM OUR GRADUATES:

"The University of Maryland’s Yoga Teacher Training program ... is beyond words. Not only does it truly prepare one to be a solid and conscientious yoga instructor; [the program] teaches you how to use yoga to facilitate healing/optimal health for yourself and others. It is so much more than just a Teacher Training Program - it can and will transform your life - body, mind and spirit! I’d recommend the program to anyone interested in a teacher training program or even anyone interested in going deeper into their own yoga practice. Amazing and inspiring! I really did my research on programs available both in the area and ones you go away to and immerse yourself in....I'm beyond grateful I was guided to be a part of yours!!!"  Lisa F. Amma

"An amazing experience with the most amazing teachers and fellow students. A true gift. I wish I could do it again."  Elliot Blumenstein, Psy.D.

“The YUM training program has allowed me to step more fully into my calling as a healer and teacher. It has taught me how to intentionally create space in my life to be sourced and to care deeply for myself so that I can continue to do the work that I love.” Sarah Wheeler, MSN, MPH, CRNP

"The yoga teacher training was beyond anything I could have imagined. It has increased my flexibility and strength, improved my relationships with people, literally changed my life. What more could you ask for?" Adrianne Kozlovsky MS, RDN, LD

Additional Resources

Our Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field, led by CIM faculty, created a special collection of systematic reviews that evaluate the effectiveness of yoga for improving physical or mental symptoms and quality of life for a range of health conditions.  From musculoskeletal conditions to pulmonary conditions, cancer to cardiovascular disease, child health to health of older people and improving balance, and more, this information aims to bring the best available evidence on health-related effects of yoga to the public, patients, health professionals and others.  Read more here.