The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) presents its annual Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research (SYTAR), from June 5 to 8, at the Austin Renaissance Hotel.

A professional association for yoga teachers and therapists worldwide, IAYT’s mission is to establish yoga as a recognized and respected therapy. SYTAR is dedicated to professional education, research and practice and policy issues for yoga therapy. The symposium welcomes yoga teachers and experienced practitioners, including those considering training in yoga therapy.

Keynote speaker Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D, of MD Anderson in Houston, will describe his team's research on the integration of yoga into cancer care. Other speakers from Texas include Nydia Darby from San Antonio and Austinites Peggy Kelly and Charles MacInerney. They are among more than 40 presenters from around the world, including India, Japan and New Zealand.

Prior to SYTAR, from June 4 to 5, the annual meeting of IAYT member schools will discuss the new IAYT accreditation process for yoga therapy training programs, plus strategies on preparing for future growth of the field. IAYT has more than 120 member schools around the world, including five in Texas.

After the SYTAR conference, on June 9, these four one-day workshops will be available: the Dean Ornish program led by Susi Amendola, strategies in cancer treatment with Jnani Chapman, healing relationships led by Nischala Joy Devi and iRest with Richard Miller.

A post-conference rest-and-relaxation session will take place at Austin's Ancient Yoga Center, with no scheduled programming. This is a great place and time to socialize with yoga teachers from around the world.

IAYT publishes the International Journal of Yoga Therapy and Yoga Therapy Today. IAYT members receive a $100 discount off conference registration fees, and registration by the May 14 early-bird deadline also provides a $100 discount. For more information on IAYT and the symposium, visit iayt.org. For dynamic conference communication, see facebook.com/SYTAR.org.