Frequently Asked Questions

The Foundation for Yoga Therapy (offered in 2009 and 2011) and the Viniyoga Foundations Program for Teaching and Yoga Therapy provide a theoretical understanding of the philosophy and science of Yoga and the practical application of this knowledge to personal practice and the art of teaching. Either of these programs can be meet the prerequisite foundation in Viniyoga methodology needed to enter the Viniyoga Therapist Training.

Viniyoga Foundations Program for Teaching and Yoga Therapy (first offering in 2011) offers a strong foundation in Viniyoga to prepare students to provide group and individual yoga instruction in diverse settings for the general population. The program includes the study and practice of asana, pranayama, meditation and chanting. It also includes study of chapters 1&2 of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. There are options in the Viniyoga Foundations Program for Teaching and Yoga Therapy to do a 300 hour track (for those who are already 200 hr level teachers or licensed/registered health care professionals) or a 500 hour track (for RYT-500).

AVI's Foundation for Yoga Therapy Training Program prepares students who have already completed a teacher training program from a school certified with the Yoga Alliance to have a path to become a Viniyoga Therapist. The AVI Foundation for Yoga Therapy Training Program immerses students in the Viniyoga methodology, which forms the foundation for the approach to Viniyoga Therapy. Students who complete this program may enroll in the AVI Viniyoga Therapist Training Program.

AVI's Viniyoga Therapist Training Program builds on the theory and methods taught in the former AVI Teacher Training Programs, the Viniyoga Foundations for Teaching and Yoga Therapy or the Foundations for Yoga Therapy Training Program.

The AVI Viniyoga Therapist Training is a clinical training program that educates experienced yoga teachers who are already educated in the basics of Viniyoga methodology about the application of the theory, frameworks and tools of Viniyoga to individuals and groups of people with structural, physiological, and psychological health conditions. The AVI Viniyoga Therapist Training integrates traditional yoga frameworks and models with the needs of a modern Western society.

Becoming a skilled Viniyoga Therapist requires a thorough course of study and mentoring with skilled and experienced Viniyoga Therapists. AVI's Viniyoga Therapist Training Program includes a minimum of 500 hours of study in Viniyoga Therapy through lecture, clinical case study demonstrations, small group discussions directed reading, student case study presentations, conference calls, and one-on-one feedback from experienced Certified Viniyoga Therapists.

AVI faculty are highly trained and skilled Viniyoga Therapists who also understand how Viniyoga Therapy interfaces with western medicine.

Gary Kraftsow is Director and Senior Teacher of the AVI Viniyoga Therapist Training Program. Gary Kraftsow has been a pioneer in the transmission of yoga for health, healing and personal transformation for 30 years. Gary has successfully developed protocol for two National Institute of Health studies: "Evaluating Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain" and "Yoga Therapy for Generalized Anxiety." He is the author of two books published by Penguin: YOGA FOR WELLNESS and YOGA FOR TRANSFORMATION; and author of two educational DVD's Viniyoga Therapy for Low Back, Sacrum and Hips and Viniyoga Therapy for Upper Back, Neck and Shoulders. He has two additional Viniyoga Therapy DVDs coming out in 2011, one on Depression and one on Anxiety.

Gary is joined in the AVI Viniyoga Therapist Training by Certified Viniyoga Therapists Clare Collins R.N., Ph.D., Mary Hallway OTR/L and Vijai Sharma Ph.D. to mention of few.

Pre-requisite for participation in the Viniyoga Therapist Training is completion of the former AVI Viniyoga Teacher Training or the AVI Foundation for Yoga Therapy Training (offered in 2009 and 2011) or the Viniyoga Foundations Program for Teaching and Yoga Therapy (offered in 2011). If you have participated in a teacher training in the tradition of T.K.V. Desikachar and have questions about your potential entry point into AVI programs, please contact the AVI Student Advisor, Dona Robinson.

There are 50 hours of study in Anatomy before session #1 and 25 hours in Physiology before session #2. These requirements can be met through self-study, workshops, on- line courses or college-level courses. Suggested resources are provided upon registration for session #1. AVI faculty recommend a review of general anatomy combined with a targeted study of common Viniyoga asanas. Physiology study is a review of organ systems plus study of more commonly diagnosed conditions in the general population.

Prior study in Anatomy and Physiology may meet program requirements.

Gary Kraftsow, E-RYT 500, Director and Senior Teacher

Gary Kraftsow has been a pioneer in the transmission of yoga for health, healing and personal transformation for 30 years. He began his study of yoga in India with T.K.V. Desikachar, in 1974 and received a Viniyoga Special Diploma from Viniyoga International in Paris, France

Gary graduated with a BA, Magna Cum Laude, from Colgate University in 1976, and received his Master's Degree in Psychology and Religion from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1983. At this time he opened Maui School of Viniyoga Therapy. Since then, he has become a renowned speaker and teacher of the Viniyoga methodology at many conferences and schools nationally and internationally. In 1999 he founded American Viniyoga Institute, LLC.

Gary has developed protocol for two National Institute of Health studies: "Evaluating Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain" and "Yoga Therapy for Generalized Anxiety."

He is the Director and Senior Teacher of the American Viniyoga Institute, and the author of two books published by Penguin: YOGA FOR WELLNESS and YOGA FOR TRANSFORMATION; and author of two educational DVD's 'Viniyoga Therapy for Low Back, Sacrum and Hips' and 'Viniyoga Therapy for Upper Back, Neck and Shoulders'.

Clare Collins, RN, PhD, FAAN, CYT, E-RYT-500, Training Coordinator

Clare Collins is certified by the American Viniyoga Institute as a Viniyoga Teacher (2003) and Viniyoga Therapist (2005). She completed a Master's Degree in Mental Health Nursing at Yale University, Ph.D. in Counseling at University of Michigan and a 5-year post doctoral research fellowship in geriatric mental health at NIMH.

Clare has assisted and taught in AVI programs since 2002 and is a consultant to AVI for program development. Currently, she is a Viniyoga Therapist in East Lansing, Michigan, Professor Emeritus of Nursing at Michigan State University and member of the Board of the International Association of Viniyoga Therapists.

Clare is the Training Coordinator for the AVI Viniyoga Therapist and Foundation for Yoga Therapy Programs.

» Meet our Faculty

AVI graduates of the Viniyoga Therapist Training are using their skills in a variety of settings including yoga studios, complementary health and wellness practices, hospitals, outpatient medical clinics, senior centers, schools, universities, health clubs, spas, retreat centers, hotels/resorts, worksites or other settings.

Viniyoga Therapists may conduct general Viniyoga classes, Viniyoga Therapy group classes, workshops or one-on-one Yoga Therapy.

Viniyoga Therapists are also uniquely qualified to develop therapeutic yoga products based on their prior skills and experience in formats such as audio, video, web-based and print.

Some AVI Viniyoga Therapist Training graduates are lecturers in teacher training programs in their area and mentors in AVI professional training programs or for other aspiring yoga teachers.

Many of our graduates are putting together practices that include a variety of work such as teaching therapeutic group classes, general Viniyoga classes, workshops/retreats/ conferences and collaboration with other health professionals for special projects and programs.

John Kepner, MA, MBA, is an AVI Certified Viniyoga Teacher and Therapist in Little Rock, Arkansas. In addition to his private practice, he is using his AVI training and skills to help advance the profession of Yoga Therapy as Executive Director of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Corinne Peterson, RYT 500, MPH, LMT is certified by the American Viniyoga Institute as a Viniyoga Teacher (2003) and a Yoga Therapist (2006). She has training in two other yoga lineages and received a Yoga of the Heart Certification (for working with people with heart disease and cancer) and additional training in prenatal yoga. Her yoga teaching and Yoga Therapy practice in Chicago, IL has been shifting from prenatal yoga to working with women in mid-life, cancer survivors, seniors, and hospice care. "Viniyoga has provided a strong foundation upon which I can adjust to my own interests and my clients changing needs. Viniyoga has been a rich path for me."

Emily Large, PT, CYT, RYT-500 is the founder of Living Large Therapeutics in Florida and Georgia, which combines the science of physical therapy with the time- honored practice of yoga. Emily has used her AVI Viniyoga training to provide training programs for physical therapists and other allied professionals. She presents at national conferences and events on Viniyoga Therapy topics.

The AVI Viniyoga Therapist Training program may qualify for continuing education for some health care professionals. Please check with your professional credentialing organization or state licensure or certification board if you have any questions.

The AVI Viniyoga Therapist Training qualifies for Yoga Alliance continuing education hours for yoga teachers.

AVI is working with Mount Madonna Institute to establish a graduate degree in Yoga Therapy for the AVI Viniyoga Therapist Training. We hope to have more details soon.

The home-study and written case studies you complete will be reviewed by your assigned mentor. You will meet with your mentor at each training session and will have an opportunity to participate in telephone calls with your mentor between program sessions. A conference call is available between sessions with Gary and program staff.

A more intensive Mentoring Program with senior faculty is available for an additional fee. Students who have participated in the Mentoring Program have found it to be helpful for deepening their understanding of the application of the teachings, strategies and feedback for working with clients with complicated medical problems, ideas for integrating into a diversity of practice settings, for design, implementation and evaluation of group classes for therapeutic conditions, and for general career guidance.

There are approximately 25-45 students in an AVI Viniyoga Therapist Training Program. The faculty to student ratio is typically 1 faculty member to 8 students. AVI typically has 3-5 faculty members on staff for each training session.

This is an approximate number of hours involved in independent study necessary for completion of the program:

• 50 hours of anatomy study prior to session #1
• 25 hours of physiology study between Session #1 and #2.
• 50 hours to complete independent study assignments (case studies, guided reading and brief essays) assigned before Session 1
• 50 hours to complete independent study assignments between Sessions 1 and 2 (case studies, guided reading and brief essays)
• 25 hours to complete independent study assignments between Sessions 2 and 3 ( case studies, guided reading and brief essays).
• 40 - 75 hours for completion of a final project that consists of the design and implementation of a group program with a therapeutic focus or an in-depth analysis of work with 3 individual clients with similar therapeutic issues.
• Documentation of 100 hours of Yoga therapy with individual clients and/or therapeutic groups is required for final certification (can include one-on-one time with clients or group classes for the final project, case study assignments and other one-on-one Yoga Therapy or therapeutic group classes).

Your professional designation upon successful completion of studies will be as an American Viniyoga Institute Certified Viniyoga Therapist.

AVI Viniyoga Therapist Training program hours may qualify for continuing education for some health care or complementary health professionals. Please check with your credentialing organization or state licensure or certification board if you have any questions.

AVI Viniyoga Therapist Training qualifies for Yoga Alliance continuing education hours for yoga teachers.

Viniyoga Therapy is rooted in the teachings of Yoga. Anyone who has the desire to serve others with teachings of yoga can pursue professional training as a Viniyoga Therapist. AVI requires a strong foundation in Viniyoga before entry into the Viniyoga Therapist Training. That can be accomplished either through the former AVI Viniyoga Teacher Training or the AVI Foundations for Viniyoga Therapy (offered in 2009 and 2011) or the AVI Viniyoga Foundations for Teaching and Yoga Therapy (offered in 2011). Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and we welcome a diverse training group.

Yoga is rapidly becoming more mainstream in western cultures and is being integrated in a greater diversity of settings. That creates job opportunities for Viniyoga teachers and Viniyoga Therapists in many different settings.

AVI graduates of the Viniyoga Therapist Training are using their skills in a variety of settings including yoga studios, complementary health and wellness practices, hospitals, outpatient medical clinics, senior centers, schools, universities, health clubs, spas, retreat centers, hotels/resorts, worksites or other settings.

The AVI Viniyoga Therapist Training provides a basic foundation in Ayurveda through lectures, reading, and application as it relates to Viniyoga Therapy. It is not an Ayurveda training.

The AVI Viniyoga Therapist Training is based on the ancient principles of Yoga cikitsa, which derive from the Yoga tradition of Patanjali and the Ayurvedic system, which in turn derive from Sankhya and the Upanishadic traditions of Vedic India.

Contact AVI Student Advisor, Dona Robinson.