Before studying all the recommended books to qualify UGC Net Exams, I would suggest to go through the syllabus of UGC Net for Yoga subject. The syllabus for Yoga subject is revised with effect from the year 2019. You can download the syllabus at the website of UGC.
The major mistake my friend committed and could not qualify this exam in first attempt, despite having better knowledge than I had, was studying without syllabus. I did not have much knowledge but I covered each and every element of the syllabus and this became my strength for clearing the exam in a single attempt and that too with one and a half months preparation with fresh start.
Related Link: Check all the study material created according to UGC Syllabus
So, I used many books for preparation of Yoga NET by UGC as well as QCI (now yoga certification board – YCB – under Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga).
The syllabus mentions about certain Hatha Yoga Texts.
1. One of them is Hatha Yoga Pradipika (HYP). Though it’s interpretation by many authors are available online, but I found Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swami Muktibodhananda, Bihar School of Yoga very useful not for exams but for my spiritual growth and understanding as well. You can purchase this book from Amazon linked for your ready reference.
2. Next important Yoga Text is Gherand Samhita. Again Bihar School of Yoga has published best commentary on this text. I would suggest you to have this book. There is another book that has commented very scientifically on Gherand Samhita is Pure Yoga by Swami Pranavananda. This book published by Motilal Banarsidas Publishers.
3. Another Book by Bihar School of Yoga on Patanjali Yoga Text is 4 Chapters on Freedom (on Patanjali Yoga Sutra).
4. To have elaborated and practical understanding of Asanas, Pranayama, Mudra, you must refer to Bihar School of Yoga’s Publication – Asana Pranayama Mudra. Another book on the same subject is Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar. But Asana, Pranayama and Mudra book by Bihar School of Yoga is more recommendable for UGC net and YCB exams.
Other books can also be had from Amazon.in. These are
- Siddha Siddhantpaddati, belongs to Chaukamba Prakashan, Varanasi.
- Shiva Samhita and HathaRatnavali both belong to Kaivalyadham Lonavala Publication. Now Book on MCQs on Hatha Ratnavali (Hindi Langauge) is also available for practice for exams. Shiva Samhita is also available at archive.org for free download.
- Bhagwad Gita of Geeta Press, Gorakhpur
- 10 Principal Upanishads– These I have downloaded from internet from various sources – Even I have studied study material of Graduates of Philosophy for through understanding of upanishads. There is one book with title Nine Principal Upanishads from Bihar School of Yoga can help you, if you dont want to wander on the internet.
- I found this book also very helpful for going through all syllabus in nutshell : Certificate of Yoga Professional : Official Guide (available in both languages English and Hindi). I went through this book in the last couple of days before Exam as a summarized revision.
- UGC-Net: Yoga (Paper II & III) Exam Guide (English, Paperback, RPH Editorial Board). This was also helpful as it contains good study material on all topics. I find it helpful to my study alongwith objective questions. No doubt, you will need to be careful in ascertaining the answers whether they have correctly mentioned. In some questions, I found some incorrect answers. But that was their 1st edition. May the publication has rectified these mistakes in their latest edition – 2022.
I have made one comparison of some hatha yoga texts; may be it can be of some help to you. If some corrections are needed in this comparison, please do it and let me know or mention here. Comparison of Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gherand Samhita and Shiv Samhita and others But I find it very useful in having glance of differences in a single study.
RELATED: FREE UGC NET Yoga MCQ Tests & Quizzes for Confidence in Real Exams
FREE UGC NET YOGA Part 2 Study material
Although the above is not complete list on books, but one can refer to the following reference books for comprehensive knowledge on yoga and its philosophy and physiology:
- George Feuerstein: The Yoga Tradition (Its history, literature, philosophy and practice).
- Sri Ananda: The Complete book of Yoga Harmony of Body and Mind (Orient Paperbacks: Vision Books Pvt Ltd.)
- Swami Satyananda Saraswati: Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha (Both English Version | Hindi Version are available by Yoga Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar)
- Swami Sivananda: Practice of Yoga (The Divine life Society, Shivananda Nagar, P.O., UP Himalayas)
- Swami Sivananda Practice of Karma Yoga (The Divine Life Society, Shivananda Nagar, P.O. UP Himalayas)
- BKS Iyengar: Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Harper Collins Publications)
- Dr. Nagendra HR: The Art and Science of Pranayama (Vivekananda Kendra Yoga Prakashana, Bangalore). I would suggest to read most books by Dr. H R Nagendra, the founder vice chancellor of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana (SVYASA), Bangalore. Learn about him as well at the Link: https://yoga.ayush.gov.in/yogaguru?q=8
- Sri Swami Sachidananda: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Integral Publications, USA)
- Paths of Meditation by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai.
- Dr. Krishna Raman: A matter of Health (Integration of Yoga and western medicine for prevention and cure), Chennai, East West Books
- Swami Sivananda: Kundalini Yoga (The Divine Life Society, P.O. Sivananda Nagar U.P. Himalayas)
- Dr. H.R. Nagendra: Yoga Research and Applications (SVYASA). One Book – Research Methods – How What Why by SVYASA is also few pages book to get clarity on yoga research studies.
- Prana, Pranayama, Prana Vidya (Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Bihar). Earlier this was a single book. Now this book comes in two titles – Prana & Pranayama and Prana Vidya.
- Dr. Shirley Telles: Glimpses of Human Body (SVYASA)
- Practical Guide to Applied Spirituality (Brahmakumaris, Mount Abu, Rajasthan)
- Yoga Therapy by A.M.Moorthy, Teachers Publishing House, Coimbatore.
- Yoga Therapy by Swami Kuvalayandaha, Kaivalayadham.
Plz guide me to pass net exam in yoga
Hi Prasanna, it will require you to first go through the syllabus of UGC Yoga Net and then gather the study material in one place, both physical and online accordingly, which I have briefly discussed above. Then go through the study material (3 times) syllabus wise covering each element as every element comprises of equal marks. First reading should be thorough, underlining the important phrases/lines alongwith making of notes in flash cards. This should be followed by attempting multiple choice questions for which you have done first reading. While doing multiple choice questions, also makes notes of them and also focus on the choices of the questions as to why that choice is eliminated. In this way, you get knowledge on wrong choices also. Flash Cards should include the notes which require cramming and which contains mnemonics.
Second Reading should be going through the underlined /highlights lines of the study material, flash cards and same multiple choice questions alongwith their choices.
A week or ten days before the exam, flash cards and attempting of as much as mock tests or multiple choice questions wherein you should not ignore incorrect options of which you should have sound knowledge as to why that is eliminated.
During examination preparation days, there should be proper time management – you should study material for 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes of Quick Relaxation Technique or Instant Relaxation Technique or simple Progressive Muscular Relaxation. After 15 minutes, resume to study again for 45 minutes followed by relaxation.
Diet also plays an important role in sound preparation for examination. Your meal should include carbohydrates and minerals and vitamins and should be very light so that digestion process should not interfere with concentration of studies.
Little Exercise around 15 minutes in between will help in increasing concentration, one research study has well explained and I have also experienced it.
I hope that I have been able to share my experience that shall help you in studies. All the Best! You are most welcome to comment further for any of your queries.
Sir kya yah sabhi books hindi language me mil sakti hai ?
Yes, most of these books are available in Hindi also. I will shortly put the link to the Hindi books respectively.
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Hi Gulshan, thank you very much for the guidance. You are a divine soul. I was so confused from where to start and you are here. God is great.
We are happy that you benefitted. You can also join the Telegram Channel for more information related to yoga exams- https://t.me/yogastudymaterial