Philosophical Foundations of Yoga Therapy

The Human Condition from a Yoga Perspective

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 1: The Human Condition from a Yoga Perspective offers the philosophical foundations for yoga and yoga therapy practice. You'll learn about the history of yoga, the six classical darshanas of ancient India and how human beings are unique bio-psycho-social-energetic ever evolving beings!

This lecture examines the unique nature of each individual human being including the various layers of conditioning that influence our behaviors (samskaras) as well as offers preliminary tools as to how to assess imbalances.


Module lectures include:

  • MOD1L1 - Philosophical Foundations of Yoga Therapy
  • MOD1L2 - The Prana - Agni - Mala Model
  • MOD1L3 Layers of Conditioning
  • MOD1 Case Study and Key Concepts




Course Topics


• The Human Condition from a Yoga Perspective
• The Student / Teacher Relationship
• Overview of 6 Darshanas
• Explanation of Sankhya, Darshana of Yoga and Gunas
• Introduction to the Prana – Agni – Mala Model
• Layers of Conditions: Svabhavas, Vasanas and Samskaras
• Fetal Neuro-Programming – Public Health research validating Yoga philosophy
• Case Study – small group analysis through 4 models:

  1. Purusha / Prakriti
  2. Prana-Agni-Mala Model
  3. Svabhavas, Vasanas and Samskaras
  4. Fetal Neuroprogramming)

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


  Module 1: The Human Condition from a Yoga 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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