A fine balancing act

Usha Albuquerque

The International Day of Yoga on June 21 saw as many as 180 countries participating in an alternative therapy that has won universal acclaim. As more and more people in the western world turn to yoga, we in India are beginning to appreciate and follow one of India’s richest traditions — one which has been in existence for thousands of years.

The word ‘yoga’ is a Sanskrit word which means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness. This 5,000-year-old Indian philosophy combines exercise, breathing, diet, relaxation and meditation. It is a combination of physical and mental disciplines which make the body stronger and healthier and the mind calmer and more controlled, helping towards self-realisation.

Yogic therapy comprises a wide range of mind/body practices, ranging from postural and breathing exercises to deep relaxation and meditation for promoting positive health and well being as well as helping particular medical conditions. Yoga today is considered far superior than all other forms of exercise, because in yoga the emphasis is not just on the physical aspect, but also on the mind, and diet as well. It is widely acknowledged that yoga has provided cures for diseases like diabetes, asthma, arthritis, heart disease and several others. Yoga has also helped put drug addicts back on track, and contain the spread of certain cancers.

The goal of a yoga therapist includes helping clients become more self-aware by engaging energy in a way that will help reduce, remove or manage the symptoms that are causing discomfort, injury or illness in the body. Yoga therapists can also work with clients to help improve their relationship with their body and their environment.

Getting in

There is a profound and extensive philosophy behind yoga and so a study of the principles of yoga can help one understand the subject more deeply. There are also many scriptures on yoga and much has been  written about these scriptures, and the many schools of yoga that have emerged. To understand the right techniques of practicing yoga, it is important to study these scriptures. A yoga instructor has to be trained in specific yoga techniques and philosophies in order to teach yoga to groups or in one-on-one settings. 

Professional qualification in this field is imparted at undergraduate as well as postgraduate levels. For seeking admission to an UG programme, one must have passed Class XII in any stream from a recognised board. For PG programme, the minimum qualification is a bachelor’s degree in any stream from a recognised university, although philosophy graduates are given preference. 

Schools of yoga train from many different perspectives. Some may include separate study of ayurveda, or naturopathy, although this provides additional knowledge and isn’t required to become a yoga therapist. Competent yoga therapists build on a foundation in anatomy, basic physiology and healthcare. Other teachings may include the philosophy of yoga, perspectives of yoga, and the mind and yoga practices. There are also diploma and certificate level courses with no age limits or qualifications required,  which can last anywhere from a few weeks to over two years, depending on the style of yoga and the rigor of the coursework. 

However, those interested in making a career in this field are advised to take up an intensive course with learning of the philosophy and the practice of yoga.

A large component of the training is practicals, which include various asanas such as shatkama, yogasana, suryanamaskar, pranayam, meditation, and so on. A certain amount of knowledge in Sanskrit is considered beneficial too since most of the literature of  is in Sanskrit. There is no age limit for admission in yoga courses.

Career prospects 

The work possibilities in this field are limitless. On completion of training you can opt for private practice or you could work with an established practitioner. With the growing demand for classes in yoga, this is quite a lucrative business today. The only investment required to start this is a clean place with a healthy environment. Open space is ideal. Space permiting, you can start your own training centre, or health and fitness centre. 

Other options include working in schools and colleges as a teacher of yoga.

On a professional level, one can specialise in:

• Yoga exercises for physical fitness
• Spiritual yoga
• Yoga therapy
• Yoga specially designed for kids
• Yoga for the couples
• Corporate yoga
• Prenatal and/or postnatal yoga
• Private lessons 
• Retreats or workshops

Yoga is increasing being followed in the corporate sector as a means to relieve stress and promoted fitness. Yoga teachers are in great demand by such organisations to undertake classes for all groups of employees, as well as to conduct workshops and other programmes on healthy living, diets and exercise. There are jobs as yoga therapists across hotels/resorts and wellness centres both in India and abroad.

Those qualified with a BYNS can practice yoga as a medical practitioner, or work as therapists and researchers, towards curing diseases and ailments. There are also jobs with the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) under AYUSH (Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Sidha and Homeopathy) in all the states of India. 

A qualified BYNS can also seek employment under the Central Government Health Scheme and in state government and municipal hospitals and dispensaries all over the country, and as scientists and research scholars.

With the technological advancement that India has made, many drug and pharmaceutical companies are setting up R&D centres in India. These research organisations hire people as consultants or scientists to work in their respective fields.  

While a career in Yoga may not follow the traditional professional path, it can be the ideal option for those with a passion for health and fitness. Success in this field as in most others, depends on the dedication and hard work invested. As B.K.S Iyengar, one of the earliest proponents of yoga, once said, “I’ve been practising yoga for 76 years. And I’m still learning!” 

So, if you enjoy yoga and are committed to sharing your knowledge and expertise with others, a career in yoga can not only benefit you but also enable you to find success.  

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Voluntary Certification Scheme

The Scheme for Voluntary Certification of Yoga Professionals has been mentored by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). The Quality Council of India (QCI) provides accreditation standards for various sectors, and will certify all yoga professionals who aim to provide yoga lessons. 

This scheme will have 3 levels:

Level 1 - Yoga Teacher

Level 2 - Yoga Master

Level 3 - Yoga Guru

You need to apply to QCI (offline or online), paying a fee of Rs 6,000 and be examined at a chosen centre. The examination will include a written test, a practical demonstration and an oral interview. Those who qualify will receive a Certificate which is valid only for 3 years after which you would have to re-apply for certification.

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Course check out

Some of the training courses include: 

• Bachelor in Arts (Yoga Philosophy): Duration of this course will be three years with the eligibility of Plus II from any stream securing minimum 45 per cent marks.
• Bachelor of Naturopathy& Yogic Sciences (BNYS) ( If you wish to make a career as a naturopath or a yogic expert)  This is a five-and-a-half-year bachelor’s degree, which requires  science with biology and  selection is based on an entrance exam. 
• UG Diploma in Yoga Education: It is a one -ear course with six months internship with the eligibility of graduate from any stream with a certificate in yoga.
• PG Diploma in Yoga Therapy: It is a one -year course with the eligibility of graduation with any stream from any recognized university.
• Master of Arts in Yoga: It is a two-year course with the eligibility of minimum graduation from any stream.
• Advanced Yoga Teachers’ Training Course in Yoga (AYTTC): One- month course with eligibility of certificate, diploma or graduation in yoga with two years teaching experience in yoga.
• Certificate Course in Yoga (CCY): It is a one-and-a-half month course with a basic school pass. No age limit for this course.
• Certificate Course in Yoga and Alternative Therapy
• Certificate Course in Yoga Education
• Diploma In Yoga Education (DYEd)
• Diploma in Yoga
• M.A. Applied Yoga and Holistic Health
• M.Sc. Yogic Science and Holistic Health
• Post Graduate Diploma in Yoga

In the past one year, the government of India has taken steps to certify yoga teachers in an effort to discourage dubious yoga institutes and yoga teachers with unreliable certifications.

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Skills required

Apart from the academic qualifications, it is also necessary that you have some of the following skills which include:

• Disciplined way of life
• Supple body
• Good Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Ability to motivate others into believing in yoga
• Determination
• Will power and perseverance to practice the most difficult ‘asanas’ or yogic positions

Prominent institutions offering diploma courses in Yoga & Naturopathy include:

• Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy, New Delhi.
• National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune 
• Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat.
• Shri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
• Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
• Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
• Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
• University of Mumbai, MG Road, Fort, Mumbai.

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Some well known schools of Yoga include :

• Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) set up by B.K.S. Iyengar. In order to become a certified teacher of Iyengar Yoga, you need to undergo a teacher’s training of at least two years. In order to start such a training, you need to have been a student of Iyengar Yoga for a minimum of three years.
• Bihar School of Yoga (BSY) founded by Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati in Munger, Bihar. BSY offers a month long Yoga Instructors Course (Hindi/ English) as well as a one-year Diploma in Yogic Studies Course, 1 year (English) apart from other short-term courses. 
• Bihar School of Yoga, Pune
• Shivananda Yoga Vedanta, Dhanwantari, Kerala
• Khrishnmacharya Yoga Mandiram, Chennai
• Ashtanga Institute, Mysore.
• Yoga Institute, Mumbai.