Yoga Protocol Instructor

Yoga Protocol Instructor is the first level certification by Ayush under the category of Yoga Education & Training.

What Yoga Protocol Instructor can do?

These Certified Yoga Professionals(Yoga Protocol Instructor) can teach basics of Yoga / common Yoga protocol developed by the Ministry of AYUSH for International Day of Yoga for prevention of diseases and promotion of health. They can also conduct Yoga practice /classes in parks, societies, RWA, etc.

The Department of Ayush has also defined personal attributes for Certified Yoga Protocol Instructor as  good communication skills, time management skills and ability to understand the body language of the trainees. The job requires individual to possess key qualities such as self discipline, confidence, maturity, patience, compassion, active listening, time management, empathetic, language proficiency.

Requirement/ Eligibility

1. For open candidates, there is no eligibility criteria.
2. But, for admission in the course to clear this certification, Department of Ayush suggests that the students in the Yoga Institutions should have passed 10th standard / secondary school certificate from a recognized board or equivalent. But it is upto the Yoga Institutions to define their eligibility for the admission to this course for this certification.

Minimum Age for Yoga Protocol Instructor Certification

Any person of any age can apply for this certification.

Duration of Course

Not less than 200 hours or not less than 3 month as part time or not less than 1 month as full time course.

Syllabus & Mark Distribution

The Total Marks of Exam for Certification of Yoga Protocol Instructor is 200. Out of this, theory Part will be of 60 marks and the Practical of will be 140.

Yoga Exam Details

THEORY PART	Max. Marks	Passing Marks
Introduction to Yoga and Yogic Practices	20 marks	42 Marks (70%)
Introduction to Yoga Texts	20 marks
Yoga for Health Promotion	20 marks
Total	60 Marks	42 Marks
PRACTICAL PART	Max. Marks	Passing Marks
Demonstration Skills	80 Marks	98 Marks (70%)
Teaching Skills (Methods of Teaching Yoga)	40 Marks
Application of Knowledge	10 Marks
Field Experience	10 Marks
Total	140 Marks	98 Marks
Grand Total = Theory + Practical = 200 Marks (100%) | Passing Marks: 140 Marks (70%)

Theory Part: 

Theory Exam consists of 60 Multiple Choice Questions, each of 1 mark. All the questions are compulsory. The duration of theory exam is 2 hours. You are required to secure minimum passing marks, otherwise you will not be proceeded for practical exam. Hence, you will need to attend the theory exam by paying the exam fee again at the next available date of examination.

The candidates shall mark the answer in Optical Mark Reader (OMR) sheet. There is no negative marking in the written examination. Theory exam paper is bilingual – English & Hindi. For exam in other language, the question paper is in English and the language selected.

The syllabus

1. Introduction to Yoga and Yoga Practices (20 Marks)

1. Yoga: Etymology, definitions, aim, objectives and misconceptions.
2. Yoga : Its origin, history and development.
3. Guiding principles to be followed by Yoga practitioners.
4. Principles of Yoga (Triguna, Antahkarana-chatustaya, Tri-Sharira/ Panchakosha).
5. Introduction to major schools of Yoga (Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, Patanjali, Hatha).
6. Introduction to Yoga practices for health and well being.
7. Introduction to Shatkarma: meaning, purpose and their significance in Yoga Sadhana.
8. Introduction to Yogic Sukshma Vyayama, SthulaVyayama and Surya Namaskara.
9. Introduction to Yogasana: meaning, principles, and their health benefits.
10. Introduction to Pranayama and Dhyana and their health benefits.

2. Introduction to Yoga Texts (20 marks)

1. Introduction and study of Patanjala Yoga Sutra including memorization of selected Sutras (Chapter I-1-12).
2. Introduction and study of Bhagavad Gita including memorization of selected Slokas (Chapter II -47, 48, 49, 50 and 70).
3. Introduction and study of Hathpradipika.
4. General Introduction to Prasthanatrayee.
5. Concepts and principles of Aahara (Diet) in Hathapradipika and Bhagawadgita (Mitahara and Yuktahara).
6. Significance of Hatha Yoga practices in health and well being.
7. Concept of mental wellbeing according to Patanjala Yoga.
8. Yogic practices of Patanjala Yoga: Bahiranga and Antaranga Yoga.
9. Concepts of healthy living in Bhagwad Gita.
10. Importance of subjective experience in daily Yoga practice.

Yoga for Health Promotion (20 marks)

1. Brief introduction to human body.
2. Meaning and Means of health promotion and role of Yoga in health promotion.
3. Yogic positive attitudes ( Maîtri, Karuna, Mudita, Upeksha).
4. Concept of bhavas(Dharma, Jnana, Vairagya, Aishvarya) and their relevance in well being.
5. Dincharya and Ritucharya with respect to Yogic life style.
6. Holistic approach of Yoga towards health and diseases.
7. Introduction to First aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
8. Yogic management of stress and its consequences.
9. Yoga in prevention of metabolic and respiratory disorders.
10. Yoga for personality development.

Practical Part

Practical includes Demonstration, Teaching skill, Therapy skill, Evaluation skill, application of knowledge and field Experience as per the level of certification.

A. Demonstration Skills (80 Marks)

1. Prayer: Concept and recitation of Pranava and hymns.
2. Yoga Cleansing Techniques – Knowledge of Dhauti, Neti and practice of Kapalabhati.
3. Yogic Sukshma Vyayama and Sthula Vyayama.

Yogic Sukshma Vyayama(Micro Circulation Practices)

• Neck Movement: Griva Shakti Vikasaka(I,II,III,IV)
• Shoulder Movement: Bhuja Valli Shakti Vikasaka Purna Bhuja Shakti Vikasaka
• Trunk Movement: Kati Shakti Vikasaka (I, II, III, IV, V )
• Knee Movement: Jangha Shakti Vikasaka(II-A&B)Janu Shakti Vikasaka
• Ankle movement Pada-mula shakti Vikasaka –A&B Gulpha-pada-pristha-pada-tala shakti Vikasakab.

Yogic Sthula Vyayama(Macro Circulation Practices)

• Sarvanga Pushti
• Hrid Gati (Engine Daud)

4.Yogic Surya Namaskara

5.Yogasana

• Tadasana, Vrikshasana, Ardha Chakrasana, Padahastasana, Kati Chakrasana, Trikonasana
• Dandasana, Sukhasana,Padmasana, Vajrasana, Bhadrasana,Mandukasana, Ushtrasana, Shashankasana, Uttana Mandukasana
• Paschimottanasana, Purvottanasana, Vakrasana, Gomukhasana,
• Bhujangasana, Shalabhasana, Makarasana
• Pavanamuktasana, Uttanapadasana, Ardha Halasana, Setubandhasana
• Vipareetakarani, Saral Matsyasana, Shavasana,

6.Preparatory Breathing Practices

1. Sectional breathing (abdominal, thoracic and clavicular)
2. Yogic deep breathing

7.Pranayama

Concept of Puraka, Rechaka and Kumbhaka

• Anulmoa Viloma/Nadi Shodhana
• Sheetalee(without Kumbhaka)
• Bhramari (without Kumbhaka)

8.Understanding of Bandha: Jalandhara Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha, Mula Bandha

9.Understanding of Mudra: Hasta Mudras (chin, Chinmaya, Brahma, adi, jnana, Dhyanaand Nasika)

10.Practices leading to Meditation and Dhyana Sadhana, Recitation of Pranava & Soham, Recitation of selected hymns, invocations and prayers from Vedas & Upanishad as Body and breath awareness, Yoga Nidra

B.Teaching Skills (Methods of Teaching Yoga) (40 Marks)

• Essentials of good lesson plan: concepts, needs, planning of teaching Yoga (Shatkriya, Asana, Pranayama & practices leading to Dhyana)
• Principles of teaching Yoga protocol to different groups (beginners, children, youth, women, Geriatric population, and special attention group).
• Preparation for a Yoga class (before and during the class)
• Factors influencing yoga teaching.
• Class management in Yoga: its meaning and needs.
• Conducting yoga practical lessons: Precautions & Contraindications of practices)
• Salient features of Ideal Yoga Instructor.
• Models of ideal Yoga lesson plan

C. Application of Knowledge (10 Marks)

D.Field Experience (10 Marks)

Thus, Practical Test consists of Demonstration Skills: 80 marks, Teaching Skills: 40 Marks, Application of Knowledge: 10 Marks, Field Experience: 10 Marks.

Validity of Yoga Protocol Expert Certificate

The most important point to know is validity of the certificate and effective date. So, with effect from the date of declaration of result, the validity starts and remain valid for 5 Years.  But the certified Yoga professional is required to get renewal of his/her certificate before its expiry.

Reference Books for Theory & Practicals Exam

Yoga Certification Board has suggested a list of recommended books for theory as well as practical exams. These books are listed below along with their links where they can be bought or downloaded:

Theory Exam Reference Books

1. Yoga Darshan, by Harikrishandass Goyandka, Geeta Press, Gorakhpur.
2. Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga (Separate Books) by Swami Vivekananda, Advaita Ashram, Kolkata. These are very low cost books (in the range of Rs.60-100) and can be purchased from Amazon.
3. Hatha Yoga Pradipika by G.S. Sahay.  This book is very much useful for who are preparing for UGC NET and QCI exams. Word by word meaning is given in this book. It has good explanations of shlokas. Word by word meaning from Sanskrit to English. Author’s detailed and valuable notes make this book special for all Yoga, Specially suitable for all Academic use.
4. Shreemad Bhagvadgita, Gita press Gorakhpur. This book is available in both format – hard cover and soft cover. There is not much difference in the prices of both as well as the shipping charges are not much different. So, better to purchase hard bound book.
5. A Beginner’s Guide to Ayurveda, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Chakrapani Publications, Jaipur.  If anyone wants to know, learn about Ayurveda, then this is your complete guide for you . This BOOK will answer all your enquiry and doubts about any serious health issues and diseases.
6. Yoga professionals Official Guidebook for Level 1, Excel Books, New Delhi (QCI)
7. Yogic Sukshma Vyayama, Dhirendra Yoga Publications, New Delhi. You can download the book or see all the techniques of sukshama vyayam given by Swami Dhirendra himself on youtube.
8. Upanishads (23rdyear Special), Kalyan, Geeta Press, Gorakhpur.
9. Anatomy and Physiology of Yogic Practices, M. M. Gore, Kanchana Prakashana, Lonavala.
10. Management of Common Diseases by Swami Karmananda, Bihar Yoga Publication Trust
11. Yoga Teachers Manual for School Teachers by Basavaraddi, I. V. & others, MDNIY, New Delhi. You will need to contact or visit Morari Desai National Institute of Yoga in Delhi to procure this book.  Their phone numbers are 23711657, 23718301, 23721472 Email: [email protected].  This book is a part of training material developed under the Project “Introduction of Yoga in School Health” initiated by MNDIY, New Delhi under the auspices of Ministry of Ayush. This book covers all important components of Yoga which a yoga teacher needs to know. The book comprises of eight chapters appropriately divided in two sections – theory and practical.

Practical Exams Reference Books

1. Yogic Suksma Vyayama, Dhirendra Yoga Publications, New Delhi. You can download the book or see all the techniques of sukshama vyayam given by Swami Dhirendra himself on youtube.
2. Yogasana Vijnana, Dheerendra Yoga Prakashana, New Delhi. You can download from the link.
3. Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar, Harper Collins Publisher
4. Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha, Bihar School of Yoga, Munger.
5. A Monograph on Yogic Suksma Vyayama, by I.V. Basavaraddi, MDNIY
6. A Monograph on Shatakarma, by I.V. Basavaraddi, MDNIY
7. A Monograph on Yogasana, by I.V. Basavaraddi, MDNIY
8. A Monograph on Pranayama, by I.V. Basavaraddi, MDNIY
9. Asana Why & How ?, by O.P.Tiwari, Kaivalyadhama, SMYM Samiti, Lonavla
10. Suryanamaskar by Swami Satyananda Saraswati Bihar School of Yoga, Munger
11. Yoga professionals Official Guidebook for Level 1, Excel Books, New Delhi (QCI)
12. Yoga Teachers Manual for School Teachers by Basavaraddi, I. V. & others, MDNIY, New Delhi.
13. Teaching Methods for Yogic practices by Shri M.L.Gharote, Kaivalyadhama Ashram, Lonavla
14. Yoga Shastra (Vol-I & II) by BKS Iyengar, Ramamani Iyenger Memorial Yoga, Institute, PuneYOG, Mumbai
15. Pranayama Rahasya by Swami Ramdeva

Source: Yoga Certification Board Website.

Telegram Group for Study Material: https://t.me/yogastudymaterial