About the Australasian Association of Yoga Therapists

The Australasian Association of Yoga Therapists (AAYT) is an industry organisation which seeks to promote the science, art and practice of yoga as it contributes specifically to the management of personal wellbeing and healthcare.

AAYT aims to seek recognition and respect for the therapeutic potential of yoga within western and complementary health systems.

Our Philosophy

Independent, Not for Profit, Australasian and Yoga-Therapy centred

Our Mission

To promote and support the professional education and practice of Yoga Therapy across Australasia, empowering individuals to improve and maintain their wellbeing

Our Vision

The Australasian Association of Yoga Therapists inspires best practice through the unification and collaboration of practitioners locally and globally.

Committee of Management

Meet the AAYT Accredited Yoga Therapists  on the current Committee who volunteer their time and experience in delivering the Association’s aims and  Member interests. More information about each Committee Member can be found on the ‘Find a Therapist’ listing.

Karine Shellshear, President  email: president@yogatherapy.org.au

Patricia Wigley, Vice President  email: vicepresident@yogatherapy.org.au

Sandra Lamari, Secretary email: secretary@yogatherapy.org.au

Tricia Magee, Membership Secretary email: memberships@yogatherapy.org.au

Sarjit Tory, Treasurer email: treasurer@yogatherapy.org.au

Libbie Nelson, General Committee Member 

Lee Bachar-Adler, General Committee Member

Tracy Wootton, General Committee Member

Sue Kirkpatrick-Laird, General Committee Member

Baxter, General Committee Member

Ellen Nash, General Committee Member

Lissie Turner, General Committee Member

Council of Advisors

The AAYT Council of Advisors is an honorary group of respected leaders in the fields of Yoga, Yoga Therapy, and Integrative Health Care.

The AAYT Council of Advisors has been established to:

• provide a channel for gaining independent, authoritative opinions on critical matters related to the practice of Yoga Therapy in Australasia
• provide a valuable link with traditional lineages of Yoga and Yoga Therapy and with leaders of contemporary integrative healthcare
• acknowledge respected leaders in the field by inclusion in the Council as a form of patronage

The AAYT acknowledges and thanks the following advisors for their involvement:

• Yogacharya Dr Ananda Bhavanani, icyer.com
• Dr N Chandrasekaran, yogavaidyasala.net 
• Prof Marc Cohen, rmit.edu.au/staff/marc-cohen
• Donna Farhi, donnafarhi.org
• Dr Daniel Lewis, pathways2wellbeing.com.au
• Dr Richard Miller, irest.us
• Dr Ganesh Mohan, svastha.com
• Prof Avni Sali, niim.com.au
• Swami Samnyasananda, yogalinks.net
• Dr Matthew Taylor, mathewjtaylor.com/about/yoga
• Dr Shirley Telles, patanjaliresearchfoundation.com
• Julianne Wantrup (legal advisor)

The Australian Association of Yoga Therapists was established in 2007 as a national peak body for Yoga Therapists. In consultation with the Yoga Teachers Association of Australia (YTAA, now Yoga Australia (YA), and other industry stakeholders AAYT was incorporated as a ‘not for profit’ association, under the then Associations Incorporation Act (1981) Victoria.  Today AAYT reports to the regulator “Consumer Affairs Victoria”.

Affiliation with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), based in the USA, was established at the outset. AAYT was an early initiator of Education Standards for Members which were shared with its IAYT counterparts,

Many dynamic members have come on to the Committee bringing a broad spectrum of skills and have contributed valuable time and energy in establishing and enhancing the ongoing operations of the Association.

The Members’ collective efforts are the foundation of the Association and evidenced in such things as:

• ‘Membership and Education Standards’ identified knowledge, skills and competencies for Yoga Therapists, establishing a system of recognition in 2008 and indeed, at the time, led the discussion on yoga therapy standards internationally.
• Continuing work saw the revision of Standards in 2010, 2015, and more recently, an extensive revision and consultation has taken place between 2018 and 2020.
• Code of Practice 2009 and Scope of Practice 2009, adopted and incorporated into the Standards
• A Council of Advisors established in 2009 has sustained representatives from the US and India as well as Australia
• Ongoing membership services, including regular Newsletter and training updates.
• Ongoing Training Provider consultation and facilitation of assessments

A turning point in the history of AAYT was in March 2015 when there was major consideration of a merger with Yoga Australia and it was put to the membership, proposed as a vision to bring the whole Yoga movement together under one umbrella. In 2016 the AAYT membership moved to retain the organisation, refuting the dissolution of AAYT. During this time the organisation demonstrated that the members were in control by resisting a top down approach and sustaining the democratic foundation of the membership. It was at this time that numerous players came to the fore in expressing clear views for retaining a unique Yoga Therapy body, to independently represent the profession of Yoga Therapists.

A strong and vibrant Committee of members emerged exercising major effort to legally retain AAYT as the professional body that exclusively represents Yoga Therapists. Those Yoga Therapists who remained in the organisation demonstrated their committed to a small-scale  professional body that is responsive in focussing on their needs and representing their interests. Whilst Yoga Australia now also represents Yoga Therapists the two organisations look to build bridges and positive partnership in the best interests of all Yoga Therapist Members from both bodies.

Since 2015, the evolution of AAYT has been very positive in bringing clarity of purpose and a strengthening of AAYT’s role within the yoga therapy community. The Australasian Association of Yoga Therapists (AAYT) continues to grow Membership and representation of Yoga Therapists and accreditation of high quality Yoga Therapy training programs that meet the AAYT Education and Practice Standards.