Yoga Theory

UNIT 1    Foundation of Yoga 

• Etymology and Definitions of Yoga (Patanjala Yoga Sutra, Bhagwad Gita, Kathopanishad).
• Brief Introduction to origin, history and development of Yoga (Pre- Vedic period to contemporary times).
• Yoga in Principle
• Yoga tradition in Jainism: Syadvada (theory of seven fold predictions); Concept of Kayotsarga / Preksha meditation).
• Yoga Tradition in Buddhism: concept of Aryasatyas (four noble truths).
• Salient features and branches of Bharatiya Darshana (Astika and Nastika Darshana).
• General introduction to Shad Darshana with special emphasis on Samkhya, Yoga and Vedanta
• Brief survey of Yoga in Modem and Contemporary Times (Shri Ramakrishna, Shri Aurobindo, Maharishi Raman, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Swami Shivananda, Paramhansa Madhavadas ji, Yogacharya Shri T. Krishnamacharya).
• Guiding principles to be followed by the practioner.
• Brief Introduction to Schools of Yoga; Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, Raja & Hatha
• Principles and Practices of Jnana Yoga
• Principles and Practices of Bhakti Yoga
• Principles and Practices of Karma Yoga
• Concept and Principles of Sukshma Vyayama, Sthula Vyayama, Surya Namaskars and their significance in Yoga Sadhana.
• Concept and Principles of Shatkarma: Meaning, Types, Principles and their significance in Yoga Sadhana.
• Concept and Principles of Yogasana: Meaning, definition, types and their significance in Yoga Sandhana
• Concept and Principles of Pranayama: Meaning, definition, types and their significance in Yoga Sadhana
• Introduction to Bandha & Mudra and their health benefits.
• Introduction to Yogic relaxation techniques with special reference to Yoga Nidra
• Introduction to Dhyana and its role in health and well being.

UNIT 2     Introduction to Yoga Texts 

• Introduction to Prasthanatrayee, Purushartha Chatushtaya and goal of human life.
• Yoga in Kathoparushad, Prashanopanishad, Taittiriyopnishad with special emphasis on Panchakosha Vivek and Ananda Mimamsa.
• Concept ofSthitaprajna (stages and characteristics) in Bhagavad Gita.
• Significance ofBhagavad Gita as a synthesis of
• Concept of healthy living in Bhagavad Gita (Ahara, Vihara, Achara, Vichara).
• Introduction and highlights of Yoga Vasishtha, Definitions of Yoga and their relevance in Yoga Vasishtha.
• Study of Patanjal Yoga Sutra including selected sutras from following chapters (1- 1 to 12, Il­ l to 2, 46 to 55, ITI- 1 to 6).
• Concept of Chitta, Chitta Bhumi, Chitta Vritti, Chitta Vikshepa, Chittaprasadanam, Kiesha and Vivek-Khyati and their relationship with wellness.
• Concept of    Ishwara   and    its   relevance   in Yogasadhana, qualities of      Ishwara, Ishwarapranidhana.
• Concept of Kriya Yoga of Patanjali and its importance for healthy living.
• Bahiranga Yoga ofMaharisi Patanjali (Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara).
• Antaranga Yoga ofMaharishi Patanjali (Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi).
• Concept of mental well-being according to Patanjala Yoga.
• Hatha Yoga: Its origin, history and Hatha Yoga: its meaning, and definition, aim, objectives and misconception about Hatha Yoga.
• Sadhaka Tattva and Badhaka Tattva principles to be followed by Hatha Yoga practitioner.
• Concept of Matha, Mitahara, Pathya & Apthaya, Types of Aspirants.
• Hatha Yoga practices according to different Hatha Yogic Texts (Hatha Pradi pika, Gheranda Samhita and Hatharatnavali).
• Concept of Shwasa-Prashwasa, Vayu, Prana, Upa-Prana, Shat Chakra etc.
• Knowledge of Hatha Yoga practices for wellness (Shatkarma, Asanas, Pranayama, Mudra, Nadaanusandhana).
• Relevance and importance of Hatha Yoga practices in health and well being.

UNIT 3  Yoga And Health 

3.1 Introduction to Human Body –Anatomy and Physiology

• Introduction to Human body.
• Basic structure and functions of Musculoskeletal system, Respiratory system, Cardio vascular system, Nervous system, Digestive system and Endocrine system.
• Homeostasis: its mechanism to maintain internal environment of the body.
• Introduction to sensory organs (Eyes, Nose, Ears, Tounge and Skin).
• Impact ofYogic practices on different systems of the human body: Benefits ofShatkarma, Yogasana, Pranayama and Bandha on Respiratory, Circulatory, Musculoskeletal system.

3.2 Introduction to Psychology

• Introduction to psychology, concept of human psyche, stages of consciousness, cognitive process: Its meaning and nature.
• Definition and nature of Behavior, kinds of Behavior
• Emotions : definition, nature and physiological changes during Emotions.
• Mental Health: Yogic view of Mental Health and Mental Illness.
• Role of Yoga in Mental Health. Importance of psychosocial environment for health and wellness.

3.3 Yoga For Health And Wellness.

• Yogic concept of health, wellness and illness.
• Importance of psycho-social environment for health and wellness.
• Role of Yoga in various dimensions ( physical, mental, social and spiritual) of health.
• Importance of following Dinacharya and Ritucharya for well being.
• Role of Ahara, Nidra and Brahmacharya in wellness.

3.4 Yoga For Disease Prevention And Health Promotion.

• Meaning and definition of Health and Disease, Concept of Adhi and Vyadhi, Yoga as a preventive Health care- Heyam dukham anagatam.
• Potential causes of ill -health: Tapatrayas and Kleshas, Mental and Emotional ill Health: Anatrayas.
• Shuddhi Prakriyas in Yoga and their role in preventive and curative Health.
• Knowledge ofTrigunas, Pancha-Kosha, Pancha-Prana and Shatkchakra and their role in Health and Disease.
• Yogic concept of Holistic Health and its importance in the management of Diseases.

UNIT 4 : Applied Yoga

4.1 Yoga And Education

• Education: Its meaning, definition and goal, role and importance of education in Human Excellence.
• Yoga in Education: Salient features of Yoga Education, Factors of Yoga Education: Teacher, Student and Teaching, Guru- Shishya- Parampara and its importance in Yoga Education.
• Value Education: Its Meaning and Definition, Types of values, value –oriented Education in Personality Development.
• Contribution of Yoga towards Development of Values, Spiritual Growth.
• Salient features of Ideal Yoga Teacher, Role of Yoga Teacher in Value-oriented Education, Role of Yoga in development of healthy society.

4.2 Yoga For Personality Develompent

• Personality: Meaning and types of personality.
• Determinants of Personality with reference to psycho-social environment.
• Knowledge of various facets and stages of development of personality.
• Personality Development;  Role of spirituality  and  positive attitude in  personality development.
• Role of Yogic practices (Asana, Pranayama, Shatkarma, Bandha, Mudra ) in the Personality Development.

4.3 Yogic management of stress and its Consequences

• Definition, nature and types of stress.
• Symptoms and consequences of stress on human mind.
• Yogic perspective of Yogic principles for the management of stress and its consequences.
• Concepts and techniques of Stress management in Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjala Yogasutra and Bhagawad Gita.
• Specific practices for stress management: Yogasana, Breath Awareness, Shavasana, Yoganidra, Pranayama and Meditation.

4.4 Yoga for prevention and management of Life Style Disorders

• Concept of Yogic life style and its relevance.
• General knowledge about life style related disorders : Acidity , Constipation , Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS), Bronchial Asthma , Sinusitis, Hypertension, Neck pain, Low Backache, Osteo-arthritis etc.
• Role of Yoga in prevention and management of common disorder: Acidity, Constipation, Irritable bowel syndrome (JBS), Bronchial Asthma, Sinusitis, Hypertension, Neck pain, Low Backache, Osteo-arthritis.
• Role of Yoga in prevention and management of non-communicable disorders.
• Yoga as an integral medication.

Yoga Practicals

5.1 Prayer

• Concept and Recitation of Pranava
• Concept and Recitation of Hymns
• Selected universal prayers, invocations and Nishpatti

5.2 Yogic Shat Karma

• Neti: Sutra Neti and Jala Neti
• Dhauti: Yamana Dhauti (Kunjal)
• Kapalbhati (Vatakrama)

5.3 Yogic Sukshma Vyayama and Sthula Vyayama

Yogic Sukshma Vyayama( Microcirculation Practices) 

• Neck Movement: Griva Shakti Vikasaka ( I,II,III,IV)
• Shoulder Movement: Bhuja Valli Shakti Vikasaka Puma Bhuja Shakti Vikasaka
• Trunk Movement: Kati Shakti Vikasaka (I, JI, III, IV, V )
• Knee Movement: Jangha Shakti Vikasaka (Il-A&B ),  Janu Shakti Yikasaka
• Ankle movement: Pada-mula shakti Vikasaka – A&B, Gulpha-pada-pristha-pada-tala shakti Vikasaka   

Yogic Sthula Vyayama( Macrocirculation Practices)

• Sarvanga Pushti
• Hrid Gati (Engine run)

5.4 Yogic Surya Namaskara with Mantra

5.5 Yogasana

• Tadasana, Hastottanasana, Vrikshasana
• Ardha Chakrasana, Padahastasana
• Trikonasana, Parshva Konasana, Katichakrasana
• Dandasana, Bhadrasana, Padmasana, Vajarasana,
• Yogam udrasana, Parvatasana
• Mandukasana, Ushtrasana, Shashankasana, Utthana Mandukasana
• Paschimottanasana, Purvottanasana
• Vakrasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana, Gomukhasana
• Makarasana, Bhujangasana, Salabhasana, Dhanurasana
• Pavanamuktasana and its variations
• Uttanapadasana, Ardha Halasana, Setubandhasana, Saral-matsyasana
• Halasana, Chakrasana
• Sirshasana
• Shavasana

5.6 Preparatory Breathing Practices

• Sectional Breathing (Abdominal, Thoracic and Clavicular Breathing)
• Yogic Deep Breathing
• Anuloma Viloma/ Nadi Shodhana

5.7  Pranayama

• Concept of Puraka, Rechaka and Kumbbaka
• Ujjayee Pranayama (Without Kumbhaka)
• Sheetali Pranayama (Without Kumbhaka)
• Sitkari Pranayama (Without Kumbhaka)
• Bhramari Pranayama (Without Kumbhaka)

5.8  Concept and Demonstration of Bandba and Mudra

a) Bandha

• Jalandhara Bandha
• Uddiyana Bandba
• Mula Bandha

b)  Mudra

• Yoga Mudra
• Maha Mudra
• Vipareetakarani Mudra

5.9 Practices leading to Dbyana Sadhana

• Body awareness and Breath awareness
• Yoga Nidra
• Antanmauna
• Recitation of Pranava and Sohama
• Recitation of Hymns
• Practice of Dhyana

5.10  Methods of Teaching & Evaluation

• Teaching methods with special reference to Yoga
• Factors influencing Yoga teaching
• Need of teaching practice and its use in Yogic practice.
• Teaching Aids : Meaning and Need, Role of Language, Voice, Fluency, Clarity and Body language in an ideal presentation
• Methods of teaching Yoga to an individual, small group and large group
• Use of audio-visual aids, JCT, multimedia and online resources
• Lecture cum demonstration in Yoga: Its meaning, importance and method of its Presentation
• Lesson plan: Its meaning and need
• Preparation of lesson plan in Yoga, Preparation of lesson plan for an individual and for a group
• Presentation of lessons in specific Yogic practices: Kriya, Asana, Pranayama, and
• Assessment of a Yoga class (detection and correction of mistakes).
• Measurement, assessment and evaluation: concepts, principles and applications
• Examination reforms and designing formative and summative evaluation
• Programme evaluation: Yoga class/ workshops/ camps, yoga teaching, and yoga teacher
• Assessment of yoga centres and institutes- criteria, processes, instruments, results