On International Yoga Day Learn How to Build Your Career in Yoga

Every year International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21, since 2015. The Day was declared unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Our Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his UN address suggested the date of 21 June, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares special significance in many parts of the world.

Yoga, as we all know, is now unanimously accepted as an invaluable gift. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment. However, what is important to understand is that Yoga is not about exercise but about discovering the sense of oneness with ourselves. Living in metros and going through the rigour of a fast-paced life, we all understand the need for cleansing our minds. The true essence of Yoga revolves around elevating the life force or ‘Kundalini’ at the base of the spine. It aims to achieve this through a series of physical and mental exercises.

The ultimate goal of Yoga is, however, to help the individual to transcend the self and attain enlightenment. As the Bhagavad-Gita says, “A person is said to have achieved Yoga, the union with the Self, when the perfectly disciplined mind gets freedom from all desires, and becomes absorbed in the Self alone.” Recognising the inherent potential of Yoga, the entire world is now waking up to the delightful and prized realities of Yogic practices.

Yoga and Covid 19

And now with the Covid 19 pandemic, which has made the entire world aware of boosting immunity, Yoga has become all the more indispensable for its strong abilities in boosting immunity. Today when worldwide most of the countries are facing lockdown and people are staying at home, it’s very important to keep yourself fit and healthy. Yoga is not just a practice to keep the body fit but also a wonderful way to release the stress and anxiety and to achieve the complete wellbeing.

Yoga, contrary to common belief, is not just a set of physical or respiratory exercises, but a science that touches all levels of human life i.e. physical, mental, social, intellectual, emotional and spiritual.  At this crucial time of pandemic it is very important to boost your immunity and Yoga is the not just the easiest way but a definite way to boost it.  

Specially at the time of lockdown when people cannot go to health centers, cannot go to gymnasiums and cannot even go for a walk, such a practice is required which creates positive effects on the organs, muscles, respiration and even mental health.

Against this backdrop a career in Yoga and meditation can be just the right thing for today’s job aspirants. If you are passionate about Yoga and well-being and are fond of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can build a very lucrative career as an instructor.

Build a career in Yoga

Start with a certification course

One can think of doing professional certification courses in Yoga right after completing the 10th standard as an entry level Yoga education program. The duration of certification programs like the C.Y.Ed. Course, often vary from one institute to another.

Benefits of certification course

Certificate courses are important as they benchmark professionals. For instance, an IYA certified Yoga professionals will have basic common standards of Yoga irrespective of institutes of their training. These standards make the much revered hallmark of Yoga globally. A certification from IYA means empanelment on the website of IYA under the list of certified Yoga professionals which will provide good job opportunities.

Indian Yoga Association decides on the curricula of different courses and recognizes member institutes for conducting the courses. Certificates given by the affiliated institutes to candidates are valid long term. IYA periodically conducts audit checks on the courses conducted by institutes to maintain quality control.

The certificate courses are basically instructor-training programs and aims towards creating skilled Yoga instructors. The duration of 10+2 level certification program is 3 months, while is some institutes and colleges it is 6 months or even one and a half year.

After completing an entry level training one can opt for advanced Yoga education programs like – BA in Yoga, B.Sc. Yoga, Bachelor of Yoga Education and Diploma in Yoga Education.

Do an advanced degree and diploma courses

Institutes and colleges offering courses in Yoga in India –

  • NIOS
  • LYU
  • Sivananda Ashram
  • KaivalyaDhama
  • University of Patanjali
  • NIMHANS
  • Rajiv Gandhi University
  • VMOU
  • Nalanda Open University
  • BVB (Delhi)
  • Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya
  • Gujarat Ayurveda University
  • Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy
  • Karnataka University
  • Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University
  • National College of Health Sciences (NCHS)
  • Motiram Baburam Government Post Graduate College
  • National Institute of Health Science and Research
  • Pragyan International University (PIU)
  • RB College
  • Tararani’s Vidyapeeth’s Kamala College

Admission process

Admission process often differs from institute to another. While some conduct merit based admission process, others take direct admission. In case of merit based admissions appropriate entrance exams are held to carry out the admission process. Entrance exams followed by personal interview. One has to meet the cut-off marks as set by the respective college or institute in the qualifying examination for admission to the courses.

Candidates can apply online, by visiting the college’s/ university’s/institute’s website and filling in the details in the application form. After registration, the college’s/ university’s/institute’s authorities will get back through mobile phone or email provided by the candidate at the time or registration. Once done, the aspirant needs to visit the college/ university/institute with necessary documents like class X mark sheet, certificates, id proof and photograph. One can also apply offline by procuring the application form from the college/ university/institute and submitting it after filling in the details. College/ university/institute publish the merit list of qualifying examination and admission is granted to those who make it to the merit list and also fulfil other necessary admission requirements as decided by the respective authorities.

Fees

Tuition fees depend on type and ratings of institute/college (i.e. government or private), scholarship status student etc. However, usually the fee is between 10,000-300,000 INR annually, depending on the level of the course. Fee in govt. or public colleges is around1.09 K while in Private colleges it varies between 1.48 K and 40 K per month. One can also opt for higher studies in Yoga Education after completion of certificate programs.

Syllabus

Certificate courses in Yoga include detailed knowledge on Yoga, basic Yoga practices and also the benefits of Yoga in daily life. The courses help candidates learn the effects of Yoga on health and overall well being. You must have skills like good time management and must be calm and composed to pursue a course in Yoga Education. Examination type for the courses is semester system.

The syllabus of certificate courses includes written theory, practice, and training. Subjects taught include history of Yoga, benefits of Yoga, human anatomy, asanas et al. The program also helps build personality and make the learners calm and arm them with skills necessary to be experts in the field.

Topics covered in Yoga Education programs

  • Hatha Yoga
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Yoga Therapy
  • Therapy Acupressure
  • Yoga Diet
  • Naturotherapy
  • Advanced Yoga Techniques
  • Yoga Practice
  • Patanjala Yoga Sutras
  • Psychodynamics of Yoga
  • Yoga and Mental Health
  • Yoga and Cultural Synthesis and Value Education
  • Structure and Functions of Human Body and Effects of Yoga Practices on them
  • Yogic Concept of Body Function and Extra Practice
  • Psychosomatic and Spinal Disorders and Yoga; Diet, Nutritional Regulation
  • Yoga Therapy through Traditional Understanding
  • Yoga in Texts
  • Basic Principles and Methods of Teaching Applied to Yogic Practices
  • Techniques of Yoga Practices

Career options

After completing the training programs, candidates can look for jobs at Yoga training centers, Yoga training schools, gyms, resorts, fitness centers etc. Jobs are also available in fields like Gujarat Ayurveda University, Govt. organizations, health organizations, schools and colleges, health centers, Ministry of Ayush and such others. Job profiles include – Yoga Instructors, Teachers, Health Inspectors, Yoga Therapist etc. Certificate holders in Yoga Education will get an average salary ranging from INR 2,00,000 to INR 4,00,000 and this salary depends on the experience and knowledge of the candidate.

  • A Yoga Trainer provides proper Yoga training earns around INR 2,00,000 to INR 4,00,000 per year
  • A Health Inspector who conducts inspection in various offices and other public places for betterment of public’s health earns around INR 3,00,000 to INR 4,00,000 per year
  • A Yoga Teacher who teaches and shares his/ her knowledge about the fundamentals of Yoga to the students in schools gets around INR 2,00,000 to INR 4,00,000 per year
  • A Yoga Therapist who helps in curing incurable diseases with Yoga gets around INR 3,00,000 to INR 4,00,000 per year
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