Cardiac Medical Yoga Teacher Training Certification, Part 2 (In Person)

Learn to bring medical Yoga safely to people with heart disease.

Yogaville hosts Part 2, the in-person training, of Dr. Mala Cunningham’s three-part Cardiac Medical Yoga certification.
Parts 1 and 3 are online through Positive Health Solutions; see the full certification details.

This certification training prepares health care workers, mental health practitioners, Yoga therapists, and Yoga teachers to adapt Yoga, breathing, relaxation, and lifestyle medicine for people with heart disease and diabetes, and for their spouses. Graduates are certified to teach Cardiac Medical Yoga in hospitals, clinics, and community settings.

This five-day, in-person training at Yogaville is Part 2 of a three-part certification led by Dr. Mala Cunningham, now in its 30th year of training health care workers, Yoga therapists, and Yoga teachers.

Cardiac Medical Yoga applies the principles of medical Yoga, lifestyle medicine, and stress management to the particular needs of heart patients. The in-person training combines lectures with experiential and clinical practice. It is taught by respected professionals in cardiology, exercise physiology, Yoga, mindfulness, and psychology. The program welcomes students from every Yoga tradition, and its roots in Integral Yoga make Yogaville a natural home for the in-person training.

What You’ll Experience

• Medical Yoga for heart patients — postures, breathing, guided imagery, and meditation adapted for cardiac needs.
• Heart anatomy and physiology — how the heart works and what goes wrong in heart disease.
• Risk factors and medications — how cardiac medications affect a patient’s Yoga practice.
• Contraindications — which practices to avoid or modify, and when.
• Neuroscience and Yoga — current research on how Yoga affects the brain and nervous system.
• Psychosocial care — the emotional side of heart disease, and how to run a patient support group.
• Bringing the work to hospitals — how to present and market Cardiac Yoga to health care institutions.

You Will Leave With

• Certification to teach Cardiac Medical Yoga, once all three parts are complete
• Adapted sequences for people with limited mobility
• Relaxation, breathing, and mindfulness practices for heart patients
• A clear sense of contraindications and safe practice
• Tools for leading support groups and working with hospitals

Who This Is For

This training is open to health care workers, mental health practitioners, Yoga therapists, Yoga teachers, and allied health professionals. Yoga teaching certification is not required. Medical professionals who are not Yoga teachers should take two to three months of Yoga classes before the training.

Open to health care and Yoga professionals from all traditions.

Curriculum

• Anatomy and physiology of the heart
• Risk factors and diagnostic procedures
• Psychosocial aspects of heart disease
• Concepts of lifestyle medicine
• The neuroscience of Yoga
• Relaxation, breathing, and mindfulness for heart patients
• Yoga postures adapted for heart patients (limited mobility Yoga)
• Communication skills and group dynamics
• How to market Cardiac Yoga

How the Certification Works

Part 1: Foundations of Cardiac Medical Yoga (online, $196). Registration opens through Positive Health Solutions by January 15, 2027. Part 1 must be completed by June 21, 2027, one month before Part 2. The $35 application fee is waived for the 2027 Yogaville training.

Part 2: Theory, Implementation & Practice (in person at Yogaville, $1,920). Five days and four nights, July 21–25, 2027, beginning Wednesday afternoon. Price includes tuition, all classes, and three vegetarian meals daily; accommodations are complimentary. Register through Yogaville.

Part 3: Practicum (online, included with Part 1). Teach five Cardiac Medical Yoga classes within 70 days of Part 2, then join a live Zoom graduation.

Part 2 registrations and refunds follow Yogaville’s cancellation policy. Parts 1 and 3 follow Positive Health Solutions’ policies.

Prerequisites

Complete and pass Part 1 online at least one month before Part 2 begins. Yoga teaching certification is not required, though medical professionals without a Yoga background should take two to three months of Yoga classes first. CPR certification is encouraged, and a personal Yoga and meditation practice is recommended.

Continuing Education

• Yoga Alliance and IAYT: 100 continuing education credits across all three parts
• IYTA CE certificate: $10 fee (free for members), ce@iyta.org
• Certification requirements: two open-book competency tests, a clinical evaluation, a five-class teaching practicum, and attendance at all Part 2 sessions (minimum 30 in-person contact hours)

Enrollment is limited to 20 participants.

What Past Participants Say

“Thanks again for being such an amazing teacher and for all of your great lessons. The tools you have given me have truly benefited my heart patients on their healing journeys! I feel blessed to be part of the Cardiac Medical Yoga family.” — Sue S.

“Your ability to teach Cardiac Yoga is masterful. I compliment you on your achievement with this program and fully support its widespread implementation.” — L. Kanter, M.D., Cardiologist

All activities at the Satchidananda Ashram in Yogaville, Virginia Ashram are structured around the daily schedule of the ashram which includes meditation and Hatha Yoga each morning and evening prior to breakfast and dinner, as well as noon meditation held in Guru Bhavahan and Lotus prior to lunch.