The Pathway to Yoga Therapy is a 35-hour continuing professional development (CPD) course designed to introduce the principles of the T. Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar tradition.
Whether you are looking to expand the versatility and depth of your teaching, or explore the principles in preparation for the TSYP Diploma in Yoga Therapy, this course offers a practical and experiential immersion in the tradition.
You will receive a certificate of attendance for 35 CPD hours on completion.
Who the course is for
- Prospective yoga therapy students. The course is strongly recommended as preparation for the TSYP Diploma in Yoga Therapy (starting September 2027). If accepted onto the diploma, your full Pathway course fee will be credited towards your diploma tuition fee.
- Yoga teachers seeking CPD: Advance your teaching through structured, experiential study in the tradition of T. Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar. Enjoy 35 hours of high-level CPD with no obligation to continue to the full diploma.
Please note: This course provides continuing professional development and preparation for diploma-level study; it is not an independent qualification to practise yoga therapy.
Course structure and delivery
The course combines experiential in-person learning with interactive online support.
- Five on-person training days (30 hours total). Every day includes interactive lectures, pair and group work, guided reflection, and a tutor-led yoga practice with a debrief.
- Five online tutorials via Zoom (5 hours total). These interactive 1-hour evening sessions build directly on the questions, challenges and experiences raised during the in-person training days.
- Access to self-study video recordings and handouts.
Dates and times
February 2027 to June 2027.
In-Person Sessions
Location: Lower Green Community Centre, Esher, KT10 8AU
Saturday 09:00 to 17:00 on the following dates:
- 20 February 2027
- 20 March 2027
- 24 April 2027
- 22 May 2027
- 26 June 2027
Online Tutorials via Zoom
Tuesday 19:00 to 20:00 on the following dates:
- 13 April 2027
- 4 May 2027
- 11 May 2027
- 8 June 2027
- 15 June 2027
Course fee
Standard course fee: £430
Early bird rate: £380 (available for registrations completed by 15 January 2027)
The course fee covers five in person days, five tutorials via Zoom and self-study materials (video recordings and handouts).
Registration
Official booking via the TSYP website opens on 7 September.
Meanwhile, you can email Annemarie at yogatherapy@tsyp.yoga to register your interest for a booking notification or to request a detailed course outline.
Lead tutor
Annemarie Visser, DCPsych, CPsychol
HCPC Registered Psychologist | CNHC Registered Yoga Therapist
The Pathway to Yoga Therapy course is delivered by Annemarie Visser, an experienced yoga therapist, counselling psychologist and educator. Trained in Chennai under Dr. N. Chandrasekaran (Yoga Vaidya Śālā), the late Radha Sundararajan, and Colin Dunsmuir, Annemarie’s practice is firmly rooted in the lineage of T. Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar. She is also a TSYP qualified Vedic chant teacher.
Timetable for in-person sessions
| Time | Session/Break |
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Arrival |
| 09:30 – 11:00 | Session 1 |
| 11:00 – 11:20 | Morning break |
| 11:20 – 12:50 | Session 2 |
| 12:50 – 13:40 | Lunch break |
| 13:40 – 15:10 | Session 3 |
| 15:10 – 15:30 | Afternoon break |
| 15:30 – 17:00 | Session 4 |
Course overview
Day 1: Integrating breath and movement
- The purpose and outcomes of yoga therapy compared to yoga.
- Various breathing methods, dysfunctional breath patterns, and general principles for coordinating breath with movement.
- Case examples illustrating the therapeutic power of breath-led movement.
Day 2: Designing balanced sequences (vinyāsa krama)
- Standard sequencing patterns (SLIBS and SKLIBS), core components of practice, principles of preparation and sequencing for a safe and balanced practice.
- Dynamic and static movement, pace, and counterpose as a tool to restore equilibrium.
Day 3: Breath as a therapeutic tool
- The four parts of the breath, and the cardiovascular, nervous system and emotional responses to altered breath ratios.
- Subtle energetic effects, such as bṛṁhaṇa, laṅghana and samāna.
- A therapeutic evaluation of prāṇāyāma techniques.
Day 4: Focusing the mind with sound and visualisation
- Using dynamic balances, static balances and touch to cultivate mental focus.
- The effect of vocal sound on body and mind, choosing sound for therapeutic purposes and ethical considerations.
- Meditative practices using sound and visualisation.
Day 5: Adapting postures according to need
- Prioritising function over form and the concept of viniyoga (Yoga Sūtra 3.6) according to which yoga must be applied step-by-step, in stages, adapted to the capability and needs of the individual.
- Four primary ways of adapting yoga.
- Modifying key postures for physical, energetic and mental capacities and needs with case examples.
Request a detailed course outline
To request a more detailed course outline, email Annemarie at yogatherapy@tsyp.yoga.