By Kirti Khalsa, ARPF CEO

On June 11–13, 2026, the global yoga therapy community gathered in Costa Mesa, California, for the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) annual event: the Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research (SYTAR).

This year’s conference created a collaborative space where the world’s leading therapists, clinicians, educators, and scientists could bridge the gap between ancient practice and modern evidence-based science.

For over three decades, the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation (ARPF) has been championing the message of proactive Brain Longevity®. Because SYTAR places such a strong emphasis on research and best practices for patient wellness, it was the perfect venue for our team to connect, share, and expand our mission.

Throughout the three-day event, ARPF staff hosted an exhibition table. It was incredibly heartening to see just how deeply our decades of clinical research have permeated the yoga therapy landscape.

Dozens of attending therapists stopped by to share that they are already familiar with ARPF’s milestone research on Kirtan Kriya (KK). Many commented that they regularly teach this 12-minute meditation in their private sessions and group classes. The overarching feedback from the field was beautiful: practitioners reported that regardless of an individual’s cognitive background, most students find Kirtan Kriya to be an incredibly accessible, easy, and profoundly relaxing practice.

ARPF’s presence extended far beyond our exhibition table. Members of the ARPF Yoga Advisory Council took center stage as prominent presenters and facilitators during the conference’s educational sessions.

For example, a major highlight of the afternoon included a presentation by Denyse LeFever, MBA, C-IAYT, BLS. Denyse shared her deeply moving work utilizing targeted yoga therapy protocols for oncology patients – a population that frequently battles severe anxiety, depression, confusion, and physical pain.

Adding immense depth to the session was her co-presenter, Maryam Ovissi, MA, C-IAYT. Maryam shared her extensive, specialized clinical experience in the oncology field, illustrating how compassionate, evidence-informed yoga therapy can dramatically improve quality of life and mental clarity during cancer treatment.

The energy of the conference culminated on the final day with a captivating keynote presentation by world-renowned researcher and ARPF Medical & Scientific Advisory Council member Helen Lavretsky, MD, MS.

Dr. Lavretsky delivered an in-depth lecture on the cutting edge of mind/body therapies. A significant portion of her keynote featured her rigorous, peer-reviewed clinical research studies on Kirtan Kriya – research proudly funded by ARPF.

The presentation drew the attention of the conference’s top minds. The room was filled with vibrant discussion on how non-pharmacological, meditative practices can tangibly protect brain structure, alleviate caregiver stress, and support long-term cognitive longevity.

We left Costa Mesa feeling deeply inspired and reenergized. Seeing the collective passion of the IAYT community affirms that the future of brain health is holistic, integrative, and scientifically backed.

Thank you to the IAYT organizers, our dedicated Yoga Advisory Council and Medical & Scientific Advisory Council members, the brilliant presenters, and every single attendee who stopped by to chat. Together, we are changing the narrative around aging and proving that we truly can protect our minds, one practice at a time.

Want to bring evidence-based brain longevity practices into your community or clinical practice? Explore our premier, self-paced Brain Longevity Therapy Training (BLTT) today and join a global network of certified specialists. Visit arpf.com to learn more.