Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research 2011: An Insider's View

PYT faculty member Diana Munger writes about her attendance at the third meeting of schools during the 4th annual SYTAR.  Diana was the voice of PYT during this important meeting.  PYT offers thanks to Diana and all its students and faculty who continue to help PYT be the trailblazer for providing continuing education to medical professionals who use yoga as medicine.

Hear Diana's bird's eye perspective on the director's meeting at SYTAR:

This past Labor Day weekend, I had the honor of representing PYT at the Fourth IAYT Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research (a.k.a. SYTAR). The conference was held at Asilomar in beautiful Monterey, CA. In the days before the programming began, the third Meeting of the Schools was held to review and discuss the “draft proposed” educational standards for the entry-level training of yoga therapists. A chosen committee of volunteers from various IAYT member schools has spent the past year developing the proposed standards. The meeting provided an opportunity for representatives from Yoga Therapy training programs to voice feedback before the committee presents their final recommendations to the IAYT Board early next year. These steps are part of IAYT's self-regulation initiative for our emerging field of Yoga Therapy.

Although we all came with our own opinions about what constitutes Yoga Therapy and how practitioners should be trained, agendas were dropped at the door and truly cooperative conversations ensued. It was quite yogic. We examined the definition of Yoga Therapy with an enthralling discussion of Spirit. We dug into the specific competencies and explored the delicate balance of the depth and breadth of knowledge necessary to prepare a budding yoga therapist. We had lively discussions about how many hours training is required to successfully transmit the necessary knowledge and skills. All in all, we are a big step closer to our intention of promoting safe and effective Yoga Therapy practice and gaining further credibility as an emerging healthcare field.

With business out of the way, we settled in to the peaceful Pacific coast setting and immersed ourselves in the fellowship of like-minded practitioners. Attendees came from around the country and world bringing many different lineages, backgrounds, cultures, and methods of application. Following each morning's practice session, we split into common interest workshops covering each of the Pancha Maya as well as topics in business development, social action, and yoga for military. We explored the latest research with a focus on neuroplasticity and the importance of daily practice. A strong theme of this year's SYTAR was keeping the heart of yoga in Yoga Therapy. Remember the origins of our practice with the ultimate goal of discovering Self and uniting consciousness. Teach people to live yoga, not do yoga, and watch the changes unfold.

Now is an exciting time as we are able to witness the acceptance and merging of an ancient tradition into our modern world of science, exemplified by the recent acceptance of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy into Pubmed/Medline. A Pubmed search for 'Yoga Therapy' now bears 1,675 results. We have a quickly growing base of research to support our holistic science of yoga, proving our work is much more than a collection of anecdotal remedies. As healthcare practitioners trained in medical therapeutic yoga, we are well positioned to assist with the inevitable transformation of our healthcare system. We have the knowledge and skills to introduce the West to a better way of health – a scientific system that addresses all aspects of our being. Keep spreading the practice, the shift is happening!

The next SYTAR in planned for Spring 2013 back East. I'll see you there!

Namaste, 

~Diana Munger, PT, DPT, RYT

To see outlines from the conference, visit IAYT's Digital Resources Library - http://iayt.fmdrl.org

Diana Munger, PT, DPT, RYT

Diana is a licensed physical therapist who runs a private practice specializing in women’s health and pelvic rehabilitation. She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree. She integrates hands-on manual therapy techniques, including myofascial release and visceral manipulation, with yoga therapy to assist her patients with a wide variety of women’s health conditions, such as pelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction.

She received her yoga teacher training and professional yoga therapist training through Integrative Yoga Therapy. She is a contributor and peer review editor for the International Journal of Yoga Therapy.  By combining her background in yoga with traditional physical therapy, Diana enjoys creating holistic wellness programs for women across their lifespan. She is passionate about community education and empowering women to be active participants in their healthcare.

Diana joins the PYTS adjunct faculty to assist in the development of a women’s wellness yoga therapy program. She lives in Phoenix, AZ with her loving husband, two beautiful children, and spirited standard poodles.

Private Clinical Practice: www.desertpt.com
Contact: diana@professionalyogatherapy.org