Sundara Foundation

What Sundara Foundation does

Sundara Foundation, operating as Sundara Yoga Therapy, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2008/2009 in Austin, Texas, that develops and delivers trauma-informed yoga therapy (TIYT) training and clinical programs. It serves two principal markets: (1) credentialing professionals — yoga teachers, mental health practitioners (counselors, therapists, social workers), and allied medical professionals (MDs, nurses) — through multi-level certification, and (2) individual consumers seeking evidence-based interventions for anxiety, PTSD, chronic back pain, and menopausal symptoms. Programs are delivered via live Zoom sessions, an on-demand education platform (Sundara Academy on Easy LMS), and direct-to-consumer private sessions. Strategic partners include People's Community Clinic (Director of Yoga Therapy), St. David's Medical Center, Inner Peace Yoga Therapy (credit reciprocity), and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, which is conducting an IRB-approved research study on the TIYT methodology.

The core offering is the proprietary TIYT methodology, developed over 20+ years, which integrates polyvagal theory, somatic yoga, interpersonal neurobiology, neuropsychology, and ancient contemplative philosophy into a non-pathologizing, trauma-responsive framework. Training is delivered at three progressive levels — Earth Element (Level I, foundational, $589), Water Element (Level II, special populations, $589), and a Clinical Facilitator Certification internship (Level III, $689). Supporting assets include the Sensory Enhanced Restorative Approach (neuromuscular repatterning, fascia-informed positioning, sensory-enhanced sequencing, deliberate self-regulation) and the Sequence Builder tool integrated via Yoga Therapy Library, which enables personalized client playback with editable text-to-speech. The organization holds a registered trademark on TIYT and has trained an alumni Collective of 1,000+ certified professionals across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the EU.

Revenue is generated through (a) training tuition of $589–$689 per level, (b) private Zoom-based yoga therapy sessions priced $90–$125 per session with bundled programs at $300–$390, (c) e-commerce sales of manuals ($129.95), the Overcome Book & Workbook ($29.99), posters, mala bracelets, and a digital Yoga Class Sequencing Handbook ($8.95), and (d) continuing-education credit revenue bundled into training tuition for IAYT, Yoga Alliance YACEP, and Texas-licensed professionals. The go-to-market is community-led: an email newsletter, free self-regulation resources, and SEO feed a top-of-funnel that converts into paid training registrations, with the certified 1,000+ member TIYT Collective driving referrals. Distribution is digital-first and global, with regional directors now established in Canada, Mexico, and the EU.

Name

Sundara Foundation

Legal name

Sundara Foundation

Website

https://sundarayogatherapy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sundara Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating as Sundara Yoga Therapy, delivering proprietary trauma-informed yoga therapy training and certification for yoga, mental health, and medical professionals, alongside evidence-based consumer programs for anxiety, trauma, chronic pain, and menopause.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapy Training and Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Therapeutic/Adaptive Yoga & Clinical Pilates (HSADACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Trauma-Informed Mindfulness & Somatic Mind-Body Practices (HSADAJAI), Guided Meditation Instruction (1:1 & Group) (HSADAJAA)

Keywords

• Trauma informed yoga therapy
• Professional yoga training
• Somatic therapy certification
• Nervous system regulation
• Yoga therapy education

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. TIYT Training Programs: Revenue from trauma-informed yoga therapy training programs at three levels (Earth, Water, Fire/Air/Ether). Tuition-based with additional fees for manuals. Training capped at limited enrollment to maintain community quality.
2. Product Sales: E-commerce revenue from selling training manuals, workbooks, books (Overcome Book), yoga posters, mala bracelets, and digital products through the online shop.
3. Private Yoga Therapy Sessions: Revenue from individual and program-based private yoga therapy sessions (Overcome Program, Managing Menopause, Chronic Back Pain) conducted via Zoom. Prepayment required to book.
4. Continuing Education Credits: Accredited CE credits offered for IAYT, Yoga Alliance YACEP, Texas social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors. Revenue included in training tuition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sundara Foundation delivers evidence-based trauma-informed yoga therapy training and clinical programming through three progressive certification levels (TIYT Earth, Water, and Clinical Facilitator) for yoga, mental health, and allied medical professionals. Consumer-facing programs (Overcome Program, Managing Menopause, Art of Relaxation Series) plus private one-on-one yoga therapy sessions extend the methodology directly to individuals managing anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and trauma. Supporting products include training manuals, workbooks, and instructional posters sold through an online storefront.

Product overview

Sundara Foundation operates Sundara Yoga Therapy, a non-profit organization offering evidence-based yoga therapy programs and professional trauma-informed yoga therapy training. The core offerings include TIYT™ (Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy) professional certification training at three levels (Earth Element, Water Element, and Clinical Facilitator certification), alongside consumer-facing programs such as the Overcome Program for nervous system regulation, Managing Menopause Program, and Art of Relaxation Series. The organization also provides private yoga therapy sessions, free community resources, and sells training materials including manuals, books, and yoga teaching resources. The training programs are delivered through a hybrid model combining live Zoom sessions with an on-demand education platform, and graduates can obtain continuing education credits through multiple professional associations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TIYT (Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy): A comprehensive trauma-informed yoga therapy training and methodology developed by Sundara Foundation for yoga, medical, and mental health professionals.
• Sundara Academy
• Overcome Program

Products and services

• TIYT Level I - Earth Element Foundation-level TIYT training program for yoga teachers and allied professionals, covering trauma-informed principles for teaching general population yoga classes, safe-space creation, and self-regulation skills. Awarded 25 IAYT CE credits and 25 Yoga Alliance YACEP CE credits.
• TIYT Level II - Water Element Advanced TIYT training methodology for working with special populations and trauma-exposed individuals, covering generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, and substance use disorders. Awarded 25 IAYT CE and 25 Yoga Alliance YACEP CE credits and counts toward Inner Peace Yoga Therapy elective credits.
• TIYT Level III - Clinical Facilitator Certification Mentored internship program certifying graduates as TIYT Clinical Facilitators, enabling them to deliver evidence-based Overcome programs and other TIYT protocols. Counts as additional elective credit toward Inner Peace Yoga Therapy's 800-hour Professional Yoga Therapist Certification.
• Overcome Program (4 private sessions) Evidence-based nervous system retraining program delivered as 4 private yoga therapy sessions covering anxiety, depression, PTSD, and stress-related conditions. Includes first session of 1.5 hours plus three follow-up 1-hour sessions; supported by the Overcome Book & Workbook.
• Yoga Therapy for Chronic Back Pain (6 private sessions) Program of 6 private yoga therapy sessions for individuals experiencing chronic back pain and muscular tension, with first session of 1 hour and remaining sessions at 40 minutes each.
• Managing Menopause Program (4 private sessions) 4-session program for women in perimenopause or post-menopause addressing hot flashes, mood changes, insomnia, and weight shifts through yoga therapy, breathwork, meditation, and Ayurvedic lifestyle guidance. Optional companion book available at additional cost.
• Art of Relaxation Series Seasonal 6-week somatic and restorative yoga series taught by Genevieve Yellin and De West, incorporating neuromuscular repatterning, fascia-informed positioning, sensory-enhanced restorative sequencing, and trauma-informed gentle movement for individuals living with chronic stress or recovering from medical trauma.
• Individual Private Yoga Therapy Sessions One-on-one private yoga therapy sessions delivered via Zoom by certified yoga therapists (CIAYT) covering chronic pain management, nervous system regulation, menopause support, and trauma resolution.
• TIYT Manual Earth Required training manual for the TIYT Level I Earth Element course, sold at a discounted rate to registered participants and at full price ($129.95) to non-registered public buyers.
• Overcome Book & Workbook Comprehensive guide and workbook for the Overcome program covering self-regulation tools, tracking charts, and step-by-step daily practice guidance.
• Yoga Class Sequencing Handbook 27-page downloadable PDF guidebook for yoga teachers and therapists on designing trauma-informed class sequences with templates and timing recommendations.
• Single Poster (Sun or Moon Salutation) Single yoga teaching poster featuring either the sun salutation or moon salutation sequence, sold individually for classroom use.
• Both Posters Bundle (Sun and Moon Salutation) Bundle of both the sun salutation and moon salutation yoga teaching posters, offered at a discounted combined price.
• Sandalwood Mala Bracelet Sandalwood mala bracelet sold as a spiritual accessory for use during meditation practice and yoga therapy sessions.

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• People's Community Clinic (PCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSundara Foundation provides Director of Yoga Therapy services for PCC's Integrative Pain Management Program. Genevieve Yellin serves as Director of Yoga Therapy, and Sundara Foundation team provides group yoga facilitation at this Austin healthcare facility.
• Yoga Therapy LibrarycoreTechnology or IntegrationCreated a sequence builder tool that allows clients to play back slideshows on phones with editable text-to-speech. Partnership provides technology integration for client sequence delivery.
• Inner Peace Yoga TherapycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTIYT Levels I & II certifications count as 50 elective credits toward Inner Peace Yoga Therapy's 800hr Professional Yoga Therapist Certification. Level III Internship counts as 35 additional elective credits.
• University of North Carolina School of Medicine Chapel HillstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRB-approved pilot study research partnership on TIYT methodology. Researchers include Dr. Keri Heilman (PI), Dr. Stephen Porges, Trionne Barnett, and Genevieve Yellin. Full research project planned for 2025-2027.
• Project Transition - HIV Housing FundminorOthersCommunity partner receiving services, education, materials, and/or financial support from Sundara Foundation.
• St. David's Medical CenterminorOthersHealthcare community partner receiving services, education, materials, and/or financial support within community partnership framework.
• Natasha Aldridge / Yoga Therapy LibrarycoreTechnology or IntegrationNatasha Aldridge is both Chief Operational Manager of Sundara Foundation and CEO of Yoga Therapy Library. Created sequence builder tool for client practice delivery.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Yoga Alliance: The primary U.S. registry and credentialing body for yoga teachers and schools. Not a direct training competitor, but the governing standards body whose Registered Yoga Teacher designations and YACEP continuing-education framework Sundara's certifications plug into.
• Omega Institute for Holistic Studies: Established holistic education center offering professional trainings, workshops, and retreats across wellness and mind-body disciplines. Overlaps with Sundara on yoga therapy and meditation teacher training, but as a much larger incumbent with broader programming.
• Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health: Large, well-established yoga and holistic health education center offering professional yoga training, retreats, and therapeutic programs. Competes broadly for the same teacher-training and professional-development dollars but at much greater scale and as part of a wider portfolio.

Others

• Polyvagal Institute: Research and training organization advancing polyvagal theory — the same framework Sundara's TIYT methodology explicitly integrates. A scientific and ecosystem partner/peer rather than a direct training competitor.

Emerging players

• Mind Body Solutions: Nonprofit providing adaptive yoga programs and training for people living with trauma, illness, or disability. Comparable mission overlap with Sundara's therapeutic/clinical yoga positioning, though smaller in scale and less focused on mental health specifically.

Direct peers

• Prison Yoga Project: Nonprofit providing trauma-informed yoga training and resources for incarcerated and at-risk populations. Comparable mission, nonprofit structure, and practitioner-training model to Sundara's TIYT program.
• Center for Trauma & Embodiment: Nonprofit that develops and delivers trauma-informed yoga and somatic interventions for survivors of violence. Targets a comparable mission (trauma + somatic + yoga) with similar practitioner training and clinical program delivery, making it the most directly comparable peer to Sundara.
• Give Back Yoga Foundation: Nonprofit that trains and supports yoga teachers serving at-risk populations including prisoners, veterans, and trauma survivors. Same nonprofit model, similar trauma-informed curriculum, and comparable practitioner-training funnel as Sundara.
• Inner Peace Yoga Therapy: A yoga therapy training organization that offers an 800-hour Professional Yoga Therapist Certification. Sundara's TIYT Levels I & II count as elective credits toward Inner Peace's certification, making it both a partner and the closest direct competitor in the yoga therapy professional training category.
• Warriors at Ease: Nonprofit that trains yoga and meditation teachers in trauma-informed approaches specifically for military veterans and active-duty service members. Highly comparable trauma-informed methodology and target practitioner audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Sundara-Yoga-Therapy-64203955894
• Xx.com/sundarayoga
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sundara-yoga-therapy

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sundara Foundation