The Human Condition from a Public Health Perspective

Understanding the Chronic Disease Epidemic Through the Lens of Yoga

Our Mission

I believe that teaching yoga is one of the most fulfilling and purposeful vocations one can pursue. Nothing feels better than building a heart-to-heart relationship with a student and growing together over time with a shared love for the practice. I believe the world would be a better place if everyone practiced yoga and I’m extremely passionate about educating high quality yoga teachers and finding innovative ways to spread the teachings of yoga far and wide. These online courses are part of this collective effort...




This Module

Module 3: The Human Condition from a Public Health Perspective provides an important analysis of the modern causes of human suffering by studying the epidemiological disease trends associated with the chronic disease epidemic.

You'll learn about the disease transition from infectious diseases to chronic diseases, as well as how our post-modern industrialized environment has negatively impacted our health and... HOW Yoga can reverse the chronic disease epidemic!!

In addition, I'll introduce the 7 Yajna model; which is a powerful yoga therapy assessment model updated from the Upanishad by my teacher, Robert Birnberg to better understand how the individual is in relationship to every aspect of life. My students LOVE this model and use it constantly when leading yoga therapy sessions.

Module lectures include:

  • MOD3L1 Chronic Disease Epidemic
  • MOD3L2 The 7 Yajna Model
  • MOD3 Key Concepts




Course Topics

  • Understanding the Human Condition and causes of suffering from a Public Health Perspective
  • Understanding of which kleshas is our society afflicted with to develop appropriate yoga therapy intervention strategies
  • Understanding cultural samskaras that are detrimental to our health
  • Understanding the relationship between Environmental Conditions – Human Responses – Health Behaviors and Health Outcomes
  • Environmental Impact Assessment using the 7 Yajna Model – derived from the Pancha Maha Yajna model from the Upanishads, updated by Robert Birnberg

The Complete Course

This module is part of a lager course titled "Yoga Therapy Foundations and Public Health Tools" is the cornerstone of our Level 1 Foundations of Yoga Therapy Training and is part of our 850-hour IAYT accredited Yoga Therapist Training.

I am most proud of this course, as it combines my Masters Degree in Public Health with decades of Yoga Therapy philosophy and practice. I LOVE teaching this 13-month course at our studio Be The Change Yoga and it was THIS course that inspired me to start cataloguing my brain into these online courses, as I had many students from out of state wishing to take this course but unable to attend in person.

This module can be purchased a la carte or is included in the Yoga Therapy Tools and Public Health Course.



Your Instructor


Katie Allen
Katie Allen

Katie Allen, MPH, C-IAYT co-founded Be The Change Yoga, a studio and Center for Higher Education in Orange County, CA. The studio is deeply rooted in the philosophical foundations of yoga and understanding of yoga as a therapeutic modality. The studio offers Orange County's only Yoga Therapist Training program.


Katie is the Founder and School Director of AlcheMe Yoga Therapy; a yoga therapy company that offers professional training, comprehensive clinical programs, research and outreach initiatives. She received her Masters in Public Health from Tulane University and wrote her thesis on Yoga's ability to prevent and treat chronic disease. She has built successful community-based relationships with hospitals, health systems and clinics to integrate yoga therapy services into their offerings.

She has presented at SYTAR on 'How to develop and market comprehensive yoga therapy programs within clinical settings using a public health perspective' and 'Yoga Therapy as a Health Promotion Strategy for Underserved Communities'.

Katie is also passionate about bringing yoga to under-served communities and has implemented and directs yoga therapy programs at Hoag Hospital, Serve The People Clinic and Korean Community Services Clinic. She's currently building out a Yoga Promotores Program to train Spanish-speaking students to become yoga teachers to spread healthy living practices throughout various community organizations.

To learn more visit: http://kateallenyoga.com/

Course Curriculum


  The Human Condition from a Public Health Perspective
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

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