About This Meeting

The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) is pleased to announce our first Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research (SYTAR). SYTAR is a response to the rapidly growing field of Yoga therapy in the U.S. SYTAR's mission is to establish an annual professional gathering for Yoga teachers, Yoga therapists, Yoga researchers and health professionals who use Yoga in their work. SYTAR brings together the contemporary teachings of many distinguished Yoga teachers, therapists, lineages and schools. SYTAR also showcases important new research and addresses public policy issues facing Yoga as an emerging complementary healthcare discipline.

The symposium will provide numerous opportunities for attendees to experience the breadth of the field and meet many leading experts from among the 43 confirmed speakers. Some of the features of the SYTAR program include:

Main sessions.  The major program topics are presented in main sessions attended by all symposium participants. This provides a shared experience for all attendees, and encourages attendees to participate in discussions and build bridges across disciplines.
Practice sessions. The six concurrent practice sessions on Friday and Saturday afternoons are reserved for extended practice and discussion in smaller groups. These sessions provide hands-on and personal experience to supplement the topics presented during the main sessions.  Six concurrent practice sessions on Sunday morning allow for reflection and spiritual renewal.
Pre-symposium workshops. The three optional Thursday afternoon workshops offer in-depth discussions led by noted experts in the fields of Yoga and cancer, formal Yoga research, and traditional Yoga studies.
Call for abstracts.  The SYTAR meeting encourages submission of research and case studies in the field of Yoga therapy. Selected abstracts will be chosen for oral presentation during the meeting's main session. All accepted abstracts will be published in a special supplement to the International Journal of Yoga Therapy.
Luncheon with the speakers. In addition to complimentary lunch, pre-registration is available for attendees to meet with selected speakers in small, private settings. 
Continuing educational units. The meeting qualifies for up to 21.5 contact hours in continuing education as recognized by the Yoga Alliance. 
 
We invite you to enjoy the fellowship of your peers and cultivate new relationships that will inspire and enrich your work and personal practice of Yoga.

Our special thanks to the Yoga Research and Education Center (YREC) for supporting the renewal of IAYT, and to Richard Miller, PhD, and Larry Payne, PhD, for their enthusiasm and continuing support for this meeting.