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YOG Certification Board

Theory Syllabus
UNIT 1 Philosophical Foundation of Yoga

1.1 Origin and General history and Development of Yoga( Pre vedic to contemporary
Period) Definitions of Yoga in different Yoga texts, Aim, Objectives and
Misconceptions about Yoga, True Nature and Principles of Yoga.
1.2 Meaning and Objectives of Darshana; Branches of Indian Philosophy; Nature of Yoga
in Bharatiya Darshana(Indian Philosophy); Salient Features of Shad Drashana;
Distinction between Indian Philosophy and Western Philosophy. Essence of Samkhya
Yoga and Vedanta Darshana ; General introduction to Nastika Darshana and their
Practices.
1.3 Introduction to Vedas and Upanishads, Prasthanatrayee & Purushartha Chatushtaya;
Yoga in Epics - Ramayana, Mahabharata; Nature of Yoga in Smritis, Puranas, Aagamas
and Tantras; Concept of Pancha-Kosha; concept of Nadi, Prana, Kundalini in Tantra,
Elements of Yoga in Narada Bhakti Sutra.
1.4 Evolution of Yoga: Pre vedic to contemporary Period.
1.5 Yoga in Medieval period: Features of Natha Parampara, Bhakti Yoga of Medieval saints,

Characteristics of Yoga in Narada Bhakti Sutras, Yoga in the Literature of Saints-
Kabirdas, Tulasidas and Surdas.
1.6 Elements of Yoga in Jainism(concept of syadvada, Ratnatrya, Kayotarga
Buddhism(concept of Aryasatyas, Arya-ashtangika-marga & Vipasana)and Sufism, Sufi
Meditation Techniques, Characteristics of Yoga in Sikhism, Elements of Sahaja Yoga or
Nama Yoga of Guru Nanak.
1.7 Yoga in Modern times : Yoga Traditions of Sri Ramakrishna an Swami Vivekananda,
Integral Yoga of Shri Aurbindo, Yoga of Maharishi Raman and Swami Dayanand
Saraswati, Yoga Paramparas from modern to contemporary times, contribution of
different Yoga guru in the development of Yoga.
1.8 Yoga in Contemporary Times: Knowledge of Yoga Parmparas(lineages) of
contemporary times; Yoga Parmpara of Yogacharya Sri T. Krishnamacharya, Swami
Rama of Himalayas, Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, Swami Dhirendra Brahmchari and their
contributions for the development and promotion of Yoga.
1.9 Schools of Yoga: Introduction to Schools (Streams) of Yoga.
1.9.1 Yoga Schools with Vedanta Tradition (Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, and Dhyana)
1.9.2 Yoga Schools with Samkhya Yoga Tradition (Patanjali Yoga)
1.9.3 Yoga Schools with Tantric Tradition (Hath Yoga, Swara Yoga and Mantra Yoga)

UNIT 2 Principles and Practices of Yoga in Traditional Texts

2.1 Principle Upanishads: Introduction to Upanishads, Essence of Principle Upanishads ;
Yogatattva in Principle Upanishads, Concept of Panchkosha, Tri-sharir, Omkara
Upasana; Ashtanga Yoga in Principle Upanishad.
2.2 Yogopanishads : Introduction to Yogopanishads ; Essence of Yogopanishads

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