Yoga Certificate Courses

With our lives entangled with technologies and work hustle, taking a break from everything once in a while becomes quintessential to rejuvenate your body and mind. The world is becoming more aware of mindfulness and thus the emphasis on mental wellness through yoga, meditation, therapy and counselling is quite prevalent. The ancient Indian practice of Yoga has its core foundation in fostering harmony between mind, body and the environment. From online courses to degree and certificate programs, there are a plethora of yoga courses available in India as well as across the globe. This blog brings you a comprehensive guide on Yoga Certification courses and their salient features as well as top universities and career prospects you can explore in this field.

Course Overview

Yoga certificate courses encompass a duration of 1 year as they are short-term training programs. There is no specific eligibility criteria that one needs to fulfil such courses as it varies from one institute to another. They are aimed at equipping learners with the knowledge of Yoga asanas as well as the Yogic teachings pertaining to nutrition, meditation, mindfulness, healthcare and wellness. Gaining certification in Yoga, you can explore a plethora of career opportunities in yoga therapy, mindfulness retreats, naturopathy centres, health and wellness centres, gyms, amongst others. Opting for a career in Yoga, you will be pursuing a noble profession and helping people from all walks of life work towards the wellbeing of their body and mind.

Syllabus for Yoga Certificate Courses 

Here is the syllabus for Yoga Certificate Courses in India:

Yoga and Physical Education

• Concepts of Yoga and Physical Education
• Aims and Objectives of Yoga and Physical Education
• Education as a common ground of Yoga and Physical Education
• Means of Yoga and Physical Education
• Concept of Exercise in Physical Education and its comparison with Yogic Practices
• The problem of Integration of personality tackled in Yoga
• Application of Yoga in Physical Education
• Utility of Yoga Techniques in Physical Education
• Coordination of Yoga and Physical Education

Anatomy and Physiology of Yogic Practices

• Introduction to Human Body and systems in brief with special reference to Respiratory, Digestive, Muscular and Nervous systems
• Postural Physiology with reference to Asana
• Asana – Definition and Classification, Similarities and dissimilarities between Asana and Exercise
• Pranayama – Definition and Classification. Difference between pranayama and deep breathing
• Importance of Rechaka, Kumbhaka, Puraka.Introduction to Kriyas, Mudras and Bandhas in brief
• Research on these Practices.

Yoga and Mental Health

• Health, Mental Health, Hygiene, Mental Hygiene: Yogic and Medical perspectives
• Yoga and Modern psychology: A synthetic approach for existential problems
• Concept of Normality: Psychological and Yogic approaches
• Emotional Disorders: Causes, effects and remedies in Patanjala Yoga Sutra
• Conflict, Frustration: Yogic Remedies
• Personal and interpersonal Adjustments through Yoga.Yamas, Niyamas, Asanas and Pranayamas – their contribution to Physical and Mental Health
• Prayer – its significance in Yogic Practices.

Practice Teaching in Yoga

• Introduction : Need of Practice Teaching and its use in Yogic Practices
• Scientific principles involving Yogic practice teaching
• Presentation Technique : Its meaning. Teaching Aids : Its meaning and need
• Class Management : Its meaning and need
• Lesson Plan : Meaning and need preparation of Lesson Plan in Yogic practices
• Time allotment in different Yogic lesson plans lesson Presentation.

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Admission Process

• The admission process for Yoga certificate courses is based on merit as well as physical fitness. To get admissions in a good college/institute, candidates with exceptional academic record and physical fitness will be given preference.
• Some courses may maintain a physical fitness round, interview round or test written so it is beneficial to study the practice and gain theoretical knowledge about it. It is good to know the basic positions to ace your physical.
• Once all the tests are over, students can get admission into their preferred colleges.

Eligibility Criteria

Though the yoga certification courses are open for anyone wanting to learn this ancient practice, some institutes or training centres might have their course requirements differing from one program to another. In India, many universities and colleges conduct their own entrance exams for those planning to pursue Yoga courses like Punjabi University Entrance Exam, Government Ayurveda College and Hospital Entrance Exam, Indian Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy Entrance Exam, etc. If you are planning to attain a global-level certification by studying Yoga certificate courses abroad, the general requirements might include language proficiency tests like IELTS/TOEFL/PTE, etc. along with a Statement of Purpose (SOP).

Here is the eligibility criteria for pursuing Yoga certificate courses:

• Candidates who have completed 10+2 or equivalent exams from any field and from a recognized board are eligible.
• The minimum age requirement is 18 years of age.
• Candidates will be expected to have the English language skills for this course, however, some specialized universities will teach in Hindi, Urdu or other Indian languages.
• Students are required to be physically and medically fit to be eligible in the courses.

Note: The aforementioned details only indicate general eligibility requirements and actual course and admission criteria might differ as per the course and university.

Yoga Certificate Course Fees

The Yoga certificate course fees depend on the duration of the programme and the university/institution. The fees range for the certificate courses in Yoga is anywhere between Rs 2000 to Rs 50,000.

What do you Study in a Yoga Certificate Course?

Yoga Certificate Courses are inherently rooted in the Indian yoga philosophy and comprise the following topics which are covered throughout this program:

• Yoga (Introduction, Meaning, all the eight limbs)
• Kinds of Yoga (Gyan, Astanga, Karma, Hatha, Bhakti, Nada, Mantra, laya)
• Taking note of the medical issues of participants
• Distractions in the way of Yoga and its benefits
• Yoga Ahara (Yogic food) as well as nutrition
• Prana: Five important ones and their significance, Human Body and its well-being functioning with reference to the Yogic Science
• Yog Parichaya
• Anatomy, Physiology for Yogic Practice
• Teaching Methodology of Yogic Practice

Popular Yoga Certificate courses 

Now that you are familiar with the eligibility criteria and features of these short-term courses, let’s take a look at some of the popular Yoga certificate courses offered around the world:

• Intensive Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course
• Intensive Yoga Therapy Teacher Training Certificate Course
• Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training Course
• Yoga Therapy Teacher Training Certificate Course
• Kids Yoga Teacher Training Course
• Certification Course in Yoga and Naturopathy
• Advanced Yoga Teachers’ Training Course in Yoga (AYTTC)
• Diploma in Yoga and Naturopathy
• Post Graduate Diploma in Yoga and Naturopathy
• BA in Yoga Philosophy
• MA in Yoga

Top Academic Institutions for Certificate Courses

Since yoga originated in India, there is a wide range of universities and institutes offering certifications and training courses in Yoga. Further, Bali, Costa Rica and Sri Lanka have also considered the top study destinations for yoga certificate courses available at the retreats and specialised institutes throughout the year. Here is a list of top universities and colleges in India and abroad which provide different level courses in Yoga.

• Wellpark College of Natural Therapies
• SOAS University of London
• Loyola Marymount University
• Punjab University, Bhatinda
• Government Ayurveda College and Hospital, Gwalior
• Indian Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy, Delhi
• Ranchi University, Ranchi
• Pacific University, Udaipur
• Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University, Jaipur
• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Ahmedabad
• Chhatrapati Shivaji College, Satara
• Kaivalayadhama Yoga Institute, Pune
• Deer Park Institute, Kangra
• Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya
• Indore, Madhya Pradesh
• Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy, Amravati
• Motiram Baburam Government Post Graduate College, Nainital
• Pragyan International University (PIU), Ranchi
• Tararani’s Vidyapeeth’s Kamala College, Kolhapur

Career Prospects 

Completing yoga certificate courses, you can discover promising opportunities in varied employment areas ranging from yoga and fitness centres to spas, retreats, health centres, etc. You can start your own practice either online or open up your own training centre as well. Here are the major career prospects you must consider after completing a Yoga course:

• Yoga Instructor
• Yoga Therapist
• Yoga Advisor
• Yoga Specialist
• Yoga Aerobics Instructor
• Research Officer- Yoga and Naturopathy

Companies for Yoga Instructors

• Curefit
• Gold Gym
• Urban Clap
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences
• The Yoga Institute
• Kaivalyadhama Health and Yoga Research Center

FAQs

Thus, we hope that this blog has helped you explore the best yoga certificate courses available around the world. Planning to study Yoga, Fitness or Physical Education courses abroad? Reach out to our Leverage Edu experts and we will assist you in selecting the best course and university with the assistance of our AI Course Finder, that aligns with your interests and career aspirations. Sign up for an e-meeting with us today!