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Soma Yoga Institute: Memory Maintenance Yoga Teacher Training

An online Yoga Alliance continuing education course in Memory Maintenance Yoga, blending current dementia research with traditional yoga practices. Teachers learn a Seven Element Sequencing Framework, chair-friendly asana, pranayama, somatics, and Yoga Nidra to lead classes that support cognitive health in aging students.

Modules: 5 Modules
Duration: 20h
Certification: CE credits
Format: self-paced
Skill level: intermediate, advanced
Career pathway: advanced training

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Course program

The Memory Maintenance Yoga Teacher Training by Soma Yoga Institute is a 20-hour online continuing education program that prepares yoga teachers to lead classes designed to slow, prevent, and address minor cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. It unites new research from functional medicine with classical yoga practices, equipping teachers to serve aging communities.

This training is built for yoga teachers and movement professionals who want to specialize in working with aging populations or add a memory-focused offering to their teaching repertoire. While the program is open to interested students, the 20 Yoga Alliance Continuing Education credits and IAYT APD credits are most meaningful for those who already hold a teaching credential.

The curriculum spans five modules. Module one introduces Alzheimer’s, dementia, minor cognitive impairment, and the Seven Element Sequencing Framework for Memory Maintenance Yoga. Module two covers Alzheimer’s research, Kirtan Kriya practice, brain anatomy, restorative yoga, Yoga Nidra, and down-regulation of the nervous system. Module three focuses on teaching aging populations safely, the heart-health to brain-health connection, brain games, pranayama, and cross-lateral movement.

Module four explores yoga-specific brain research, somatics and neuromuscular reprogramming, full class practice, and cueing language for memory maintenance classes. Module five brings the material together and offers a library of brain games, cross-laterals, pranayama, meditations, somatics, restoratives, and complete classes. Modifications for common conditions affecting seniors are included so the practices remain accessible.

The training is co-led by Liz Heffernan, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, founder of Soma Yoga Institute, alongside David Webster, MA, RYT-500, founder of Yoga 4 Brain Health. Soma Yoga Institute’s broader faculty includes C-IAYT certified Yoga Therapists and senior teachers with decades of practice and study.

The program is fully self-paced and delivered online. Content is presented through pre-recorded video lessons, slides, lectures, recorded discussions, and downloadable PDFs, with homework actionable items for direct application in group classes. Students have lifetime access to all materials and can move through the content at their own pace. Optional instructor support is available by email, phone, or Zoom.

Meet your teacher

Liz Heffernan

Liz Heffernan is the founder and director of Soma Yoga Institute. An E-RYT 500 and C-IAYT Yoga Therapist with 25+ years of teaching experience, she specializes in therapeutic alignment, biomechanical safety, and adaptive yoga for all bodies.

Host reviews

Ellyn Gaughan

Verified user

I absolutely love the vibe of working one on one and everything learned in this module made it easy for me to put together sequences for my private client volunteer (who's still coming back for more). The benefit of working one on one is you really get to see results. Every time we meet we check in first and I'm just thrilled with the positive feedback from someone who really needed some positivity in her life.
Miriam Marshwood

Verified user

Peggy is a superb excellent teacher. Not only is she highly knowledgable and experienced in teaching and training others, she delivers material very well, easy to follow, and uses training tools such as slides and handouts which promotes the efficacy of her teaching. She is pleasant and gladly responds to questions with clarity and completeness. She is a great asset to the SOMA institute. I much love and enjoy her practices.