Classical Yoga Therapy
Train in Classical Yoga Therapy through the lens of Ayurveda at the first state-approved Ayurvedic college in the U.S.
- Dr. Marc Halpern & Elle Walker Buckton
- April 8 - 11, 2027
From Classical Foundations to Individualized Practice
Traditionally, students of Yoga received individual instruction that matched their needs and development. Today’s modern one-size fits all classes did not exist. In this class, you’ll learn the foundation for how to individualize your instruction and meet your students and patients where they are along their healing journey.
You will develop a deep understanding of the classical approach to Yoga Therapy as it was described in the ancient texts. This is pure Yoga Therapy and not a modern-day invention. The course is a prerequisite for the Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy Teacher Training and can be taken as a standalone course.
You will learn a comprehensive system that supports the body, mind, and consciousness. With the support of Ayurvedic principles for assessment and personalization, you will begin to understand how the energetics of yoga practices can be adapted to better meet the needs, tendencies, and imbalances of different individuals.
Dates
- January Dates Coming Soon.
- April 8 – 11, 2027
Duration
32 Hrs
Location
Online
Curriculum Includes
- Classical Philosophy of Yoga Therapy
- Original Source Materials
- Concepts of karma and dharma as they related to healing
- Explore the concepts of tyaga and sannyasa on the healing journey
- Energetic anatomy and physiology
- Samprapti The complete pathway of how disease unfolds
- The role of the five vayus in disease and healing
- The role of the three gunas in disease and healing
- The role of the three nadis in disease and healing
- The role of the seven chakras and kundalini in disease and healing
- The role of the 5 bodies in disease and healing
- The role of prana-tejas and ojas in the mind and how to support healing
- Learn how to quiet the mind
- Learn Pratipaksha Bhavana and how to create a positive mind
- Explore the kriyas and agni sara
- Learn the key mudras and bandhas and how they work to support healing
- Learn how to use the yamas and niyamas as healing tools.
Designed for Practitioners Ready to Go Deeper
This course is open to everyone. However, it is designed for the intermediate and advanced student of Yoga. Each student will be able to relate to the knowledge from where they are on their personal and professional journey.
This class is for you if you are:
- A Yoga teacher looking for deeper knowledge
- An Ayurvedic student or teacher who wants to integrate Ayurveda and Yoga
- A healer looking to bring the tools of Yoga into your practice
- A healthcare professional who wants to expand their perspective on health and disease
Prerequisites
- This course is open to everyone. It is ideal if students have at least a basic background in Ayurveda and Yoga.
Recommended (Not Required)
- Prior exposure to Ayurveda
- Experience working with students or clients
Training Format & Learning Experience
This training is offered online from 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM each day, with a one-hour break, over the four days of instruction.
Instruction Style
- Live online lectures
- Guided practice sessions
- Interactive discussions
Learning Environment
Small cohort sizes ensure:
- Direct access to faculty
- Individualized feedback
- A collaborative learning experience
Additional Information
Prerequisites
- Completion of Ayurveda 101 On Demand with Dr. Marc Halpern, or the first module of Principles of Ayurvedic Medicine (PAM), or the entire PAM program
- Applicants currently active in Dinacharya or enrolled in another Ayurvedic school may also be eligible
Recommended (Not Required)
- Prior exposure to bodywork or energy-work settings
- Experience working with clients
Tuition & Enrollment
| Payment Method | Amount Diversification | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Classical Yoga Therapy |
$600
(includes $250 non-refundable Registration Fees) |
$600 |
| Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy |
$1000
(Payment Plan Fees) $250 (Deposit for Confirmation) |
$1000 |
| Combined Registration |
$1,360
|
$1,360 |
Learn from Experienced Faculty, Teachers, and Practitioners
Faculty at the California College of Ayurveda bring decades of experience in Ayurvedic medicine, clinical practice, and yoga therapy education. This training reflects a lineage-based approach grounded in both classical knowledge and modern application.
Dr. Marc Halpern is the founder of the California College of Ayurveda, co-Founder of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (USA) and the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine.
A Sivananda Yoga Teacher, he has been a leader in the development of Ayurveda in the West for more than 30 years. His service has earned him awards in both the United States and India. Dr. Halpern has taught programs around the world and been featured in film and television. His YouTube videos have more than 1 million views. Dr. Halpern has written five textbooks, including Classical Yoga Therapy and the popular book, Healing Your Life; Lessons on the Path of Ayurveda. He also recorded the #1 best-selling meditation recording the United States: Yoga Nidra and Self-Healing.
Elle Walker Buckton CAS, PKS – Practitioner, teacher and lifelong student of Ayurveda and Yogic Philosophy. Elle has had the honor to have Dr. Marc Halpern as her mentor since 2018. She studied Marma Therapy and Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy with him. Elle is a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, Panchakarma Specialist, Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist, Marmani, Ayurvedic Body Therapist and Ayurvedic Herbalist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Classical Yoga Therapy is an approach to yoga instruction that draws on the eight limbs of traditional yogic philosophy and Ayurvedic principles to adapt practices to each person's constitution, imbalances, and needs, rather than relying on standardized instruction.
The program is designed for yoga teachers, wellness professionals, Ayurvedic students and practitioners, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in developing a deeper understanding of yoga. It is equally appropriate for those with a foundational knowledge of yoga who want to train in its individualized application and for those who are new to yoga and wish to explore its philosophy, classical texts, and therapeutic foundations.
Applicants should have a foundational familiarity with yoga philosophy and practice. Prior exposure to Ayurveda or having an already established Ayurveda lifestyle practice is recommended but not required.
Classical Yoga Therapy Teacher Training is offered live online. Because the program is grounded in classical texts — including the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Bhagavad Gita, and traditional Hatha yoga texts — and in Ayurveda as yoga's sister science, live online instruction allows students anywhere to engage closely with faculty-led discussion of this source material.
California College of Ayurveda is state-approved, not accredited. It was the first state-approved Ayurvedic college in the United States, receiving state approval for its programs in 1996.
Step Into Teaching as a Healing Practice
If you’re ready to move beyond generalized instruction and teach yoga as a truly individualized, healing practice, this training provides the framework, hands-on experience, and credential to do so.