The history of Yogic science traces back to the 5th and 6th centuries BCE India. This practice holds solutions for current-day problems such as the right education, sustainable living, mental health, emotional wellbeing, and more.
As rightly quoted by the Ministry of AYUSH, “ Yoga has now become the icon of global health, and many countries have started integrating it in their health care delivery system”. This is because it contributes to overall health in all possible ways: physical, psychological and beyond. Therefore in the current times, the demand for this practice is soaring like never before.
However, if it is not done right under trained guidance, it may lead to drastic repercussions. Thus this practice needs to be taught only by trained professionals and not by mere practitioners/meditators. Hence, as people are gaining more awareness experientially and knowledge-wise, the demand for committed teachers is increasing exponentially like never before.
To pursue yoga as a career, one has to have a certification from a recognized institute. In addition, these students have to undergo intense training to experience this science themselves before they impart it to the world out there.
The Yoga training programs are offered in various courses such as short term TTC, PG diploma in Yoga, Classical Hatha Yoga TTC, etc. Different yogic schools expound a unique way of transmitting it to the masses. They train students in a committed environment for a fixed span of time. The article given below discusses each aspect of a career opportunities in Yoga from scratch to its scope. It covers the science background, the eligibility requirement to pursue a course in yoga, job opportunities and more. Scroll down below to know every ounce of this science, i.e. Yoga.
Yoga is derived from the word Yuj which means union. “The science of the true nature of life existence- yoga”, is determined in the heart of India. Its origin traces back to the 5th century.
Yoga is commonly seen as Asanas and Pranayama. That is why it is usually seen as synonymous with flexibility, but Asana in itself goes beyond just being flexible. The above mentioned are just 2 elements of Yoga. This science is all about tapping the higher dimension of human existence. Thus, more teachers are needed to be fostered to transmit yoga in its truest sense.
As per a report of 2018, it was recorded that 75% of the adult population in India is suffering from an unhealthy lifestyle. This accounts for all kinds of health issues – obesity, hypertension, blood pressure, obesity and more. Not only that, but people are also developing weak joints and muscles, which in the long run contribute to chronic diseases.
The toll on women’s health– This is yet again very crucial to discuss, that per year, young females are reporting health disorders such as PCOS and PCOD. It is ever-growing in adolescence.
The toll on men’s health– Gradually, with sedentary lifestyles, the male population is equally facing unexpected problems like Diabetes, respiratory problems, and various other abnormalities at an early age.
As per a report by WHO, 7.5% of Indians suffer from mental disorders. This has taken a toll on physical health, too, as a mental disorder completely changes the chemistry of one’s mind and body henceforth. Not only that, it was startling enough when India was labelled as a depressed country by WHO. However, from 1990 to 2020, the rate only grew.
60% of the Indian population is youth, and this in itself is a boon. But how would it contribute to the nurturing of the country or the future generation when they themselves are suffering at a high percentage. This problem has to be addressed when a proper lifestyle is extended to every household. For example, just 20-minute yogic practices can contribute to a 180-degree shift in one’s overall health.
Yoga- A Solution
“Prevention is better than cure.”
Ironically, the country holds the solution for all the ailments, yet only a few are applying it. Yes, Yogic practices have the power to change chemical imbalance in the body. It includes meditation, kriyas, shatkarma (cleansing), etc. These simple practices can improve sleeping quota, food habits and much more. This is why the Yogic lifestyle reduces the chances of getting to the worse/incurable situation.
The above-stated situations are somewhat a picture of the worst health state one can experience. All this can be prevented by practising Yoga daily. It comprises simple yet powerful practices. Since the awareness and experience of people are blooming day by day, that is why Yoga is in high demand in today’s time. This is a science on its own; therefore, people really seek guidance from qualified teachers of Yoga. This is precisely why the demand for Yoga is increasing day by day. It can only happen when more trained teachers are produced. Thus, Yoga courses and practices are in high demand.
1. Overall Well Being- By simply devoting a minimum of 20 minutes to yogic practices through asanas and pranayam, one can immediately feel a surge of energy and a sense of preparedness mentally and physically to lead a healthy day consciously. This further results in the increase of productivity and enhances one’s approach to look at the day to day life.
2. Focus- Undeniably, this one of the greatest virtues of this practice. As one absorbs in yoga practices, the art of holding the body with a certain awareness, focus, and concentration is naturally fostered effortlessly.
3. Physical fitness- This is one of the common reasons why people take up any healthy practice in today’s time. Yoga, however, stands out due to its uniqueness. Physical fitness is just one of the essential byproducts of yoga. This is a science of being. It makes a person gain optimum fitness. This means if someone is underweight, he/she gains weight by doing yoga as it would work on the systems so that the person’s body would want to eat healthily and consciously. This is applicable another way round as well.
4. Mental and Emotional Strength- Life would be an accident if one doesn’t perceive the true nature. Therefore, by doing yogic practices, one establishes mental harmony with the true nature of existence.
5. Yogic lifestyle, a sustainable way of living- Yes, it might sound a little surprising, but the yogic lifestyle has the power to secure a sustainable future. Take, for example, food habits. All over the percentage of obese and malnourished people in the world is almost the same. This is an indication that one section is overeating while the other is going malnourished. When one practices a yogic diet, they only consume optimum amounts instead of just accumulating extra food. Thus it can lead to a sustainable way of life.
6. Flexibility- This is yet again an essential outcome of yoga. When one practice consciously, all the still muscles and joints relax. The body comes into harmony with the breath. This naturally promotes flexibility of not only the body but also the mind.
7. Healthcare Industry- Yoga practices have played a crucial role in the healthcare industry. It is increasingly used as therapy, practising asanas and meditation to promote a healthy lifestyle before it gets too late to treat.
Yoga, when done right, has the power to promote a healthy sleeping pattern which is a cause of various illnesses in today’s world. The most common is insomnia. There are endless advantages of this practice which are attracting doctors worldwide to understand the hidden virtues of the practices.
The Ministry of AYUSH established
1. Yoga Certification Board (YCB)- This regulatory body in the year 2018 was formed to promote Yoga to promote holistic health and human values. It also promotes yoga as a career skill. This body sets standards and parameters, assess competencies and certify Yoga Professionals for different levels.
2. International World Yoga Alliance- This body aims to promote consistency in yogic practices across the world. This body sets minimum standards and Parameters to make it a common ground assessment of yoga all across the world. They keep a record of RYT or Registered Yoga Teachers. There are RYT 200 and RYT 500, signifying the number of hours a teacher has undergone his/her training. After getting training from any registered schools, students become eligible to take the final test to get the certification under International World Yoga Alliance.
3. AYUSH- Ministry of AYUSH is an umbrella body that promotes ancient Indian science of life. It stands for Ayurveda Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy. These systems are based on definite medical philosophies and represent healthy living with established concepts on preventing diseases and promoting health. AYUSH regulates various Yoga colleges in India and accreditation bodies as well. It is crucial to understand that one leads a lifestyle that is active and exuberant to hold as a healthy state to explore the full potential. Unfortunately, due to the rise of chronic disease as an outcome of many factors, people had no option but to resort to allopathy treatment methods. However, if someone would have consciously led life, then the health would not get drawn to that worse condition. That is why people are now drawn to these 5 elements of AYUSH.
Yoga is taught in the form of a variety of courses. From short term certification to a master and diploma, there are various options for seeking aspirants to polish their skills. Check the following segment to know in detail about types of courses in Yoga:-
1. B.Sc in Yoga- This is a 3-year bachelors course in yoga wherein students are exposed to the science of Yoga in detail. They learn about body anatomy and the effect of yoga on the body and mind. They also learn in detail about yogic science, hatha yoga, elements of yoga and more. To pursue a BSc course in yoga, one must complete class 12th examinations.
2. M.Sc in Yoga- This is a masters course in yoga. To pursue it, one must hold a bachelor’s degree to pursue MSc in Yog. Students learn various important subjects such as Anatomy and Physiology, Vedas, Upanishads, Physiology and Health, Yoga Therapy and more ancient text such as Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Sutra and more.
3. Diploma in Yoga- These are short term courses for preparing yoga teachers to pursue a diploma in yoga. One must complete his/her schooling. Students are taught Yogic Science and Patanjali Yoga Sutras, therapy, naturopathy, Mental Health, and more.
4. Certificate Course in Yoga- These are short term certification courses that are offered hour a wise basis. There are 200 hrs, 300 hrs and 500 hrs courses. These are part-time (Teacher Training Courses) TTC programs. Students are taught the science of Yoga along with teaching aspects of the science. The certification is given through an accredited body of India.
5. Post Graduate Diploma in Yoga Science- This is a one-two year program. To pursue it, one must hold a minimum bachelor’s degree. It is like masters in Yoga; various students get to learn in-depth knowledge of this science.
6.Teacher Training Course – Teacher Training courses are specialized to prepare students who seek yoga professionally. This is a very profound science, and not every other flexible person is eligible to teach it. Proper knowledge of it experientially, academically and practically must be ingrained in those individuals before teaching others. TTC can be a 3 months course; it can also be 6 months to a 1-year course. Individuals are prepared in a committed environment to transmit it the way it should be consciously.
7. BA in Yoga- This course is Bachelors of Arts for Yoga. One should complete schooling to pursue a BA in Yoga. One gets to learn a detailed aspect of Yoga academically. They also get to learn about the basics of Ayurveda and other ancient science for lifestyle.
8. MA in Yoga- On completing a BA in Yoga, students can pursue an MA in yoga for in-depth research into the subject.
9. BEd in Yoga- Those interested in teaching Yoga as academic subjects in universities in colleges can apply for a BEd program in Yoga. One must pass class 12th to pursue B.Ed in Yoga.
To pursue yoga professionally, students are required to fulfil certain basic eligibility criteria. Every curriculum in yoga courses is differently designed, so it completely varies from school to school, but there are general guidelines that are almost common for all. These are described below:-
One must pass the class 12th examination to be eligible for courses in Yoga.
For masters specialization, one should hold a minimum bachelor’s degree to be able to pursue it.
One should be physically and mentally fit to pursue yoga.
Age limit- The interested student must be a minimum of 15-17 years old to qualify to become a yoga teacher.
1. Hatha Yoga Teachers- Though Yoga has taken a special place in everyone’s heart in modern times, the classical Hatha Yoga in its truest sense still holds immense sope to be propagated. Yoga is often practised as a form of exercise such as stretching, which branches from one of the elements known as Asanas. Now in classical Hatha Yoga, the students are trained to go beyond the stretching part, and they get to understand the geometry of every pose with an element of awareness of the whole cosmos. Similarly, they are taught all other aspects to move beyond mere movements and attain the mystery of stillness.
The starting salary of Hatha Yoga Teachers can be Rs 30,000 to Rs 60 000 depending on the program being offered. Many people conduct workshops from place to place. Per session of Hatha Yoga Classes range from Rs 1500 to Rs 5000/ person depending on the program being offered.
2. Yoga Instructor- Professionals get the opportunity to work as yoga instructors. They can either work in health centres or take up individual independent projects or open their own yoga studios or even talk about it on digital platforms like Youtube. They can also work as instructors in the gym, hospitals, and various other fitness spaces.
The starting salary of a yoga instructor varies from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000, depending on one’s expertise.
3. Yoga Therapist- These professionals are required for relaxation and rejuvenation purposes through therapies. Few muscle blockages can easily be released with various yogic therapies and massage. There are few points in our bodies that can really ease out a person in the long run when pressed in a certain way. The starting salary of a Yoga Therapist is around Rs 45,000 and more.
4. Yoga Educator- Trained graduates can opt for academic teaching of yoga in various government and private schools. Every school nowadays has an individual yoga class that trains students from the beginning. These teachers train students from state to national level championships. The starting salary of a Yoga Educator ranges from Rs 35,000 and more.
5. Yoga Researchers- Yoga is a vast ocean that can ignite the spark in human existence. Every element of this science in itself requires intense research and has its shares a great depth itself. Take, for example, the sound of AUM. Yogis and beginners widely chant this due to its calming effect. However, this sound has to be studied in-depth as it transcends more than just producing healing effects to the body. In fact, A/U/M are studied individually by the yogis as each sound has a certain frequency that has to be chanted in a guided manner. This was just a simple example; there are many more. The researchers hold a salary of more than Rs 50,000 and more.
6. Online Yoga Education and Blogging- This is an emerging field in current times. Though yoga practices are preferably imparted in physical practice sessions but sometimes due to unexpected situations like such times of COVID 19 pandemic, online yoga sessions are also emerging. Apart from that, professionals may not directly teach it but educate people about the importance of yoga, yogic diets, simple kriyas and more. Educated professionals also write blogs and articles. They earn out of collaborations and influencer markets as well. For this skill, a person must have basic knowledge of blog writing and social media knowledge. The starting salary starts from Rs 25,000 onwards.
The scope of this field is increasing evermore. It is not only impacting lives in India but across the world. As reported by Harvard university report 2016, more than 50% of Americans practise yoga and are satisfied with its positive results; every 9 of 10 people in America practise yoga in other forms. In India, the yoga lifestyle is gaining more awareness and acceptance ever more than ever before. This time of Corona Panadamic demands Yoga to promote sound health before it gets worse. There are powerful pranayama and kriyas, which can boost people’s immunity so that the body is protected internally. Thus the scope of this subject increases exponentially and is expected to soar in coming times. This is a way of life that can bring about transformation at a human’s fundamental level, which is the need of the hour.
Q1. What are the career opportunities in Yoga?
A1. This practice can be transmitted as a full time or part-time job. Various career prospects are Hatha Yoga Teachers, Yoga Instructor, Yoga Therapist, Yoga Advisor and more.
Q2. What are the prominent schools of yoga in India?
A2. There are many yoga schools in India: Isha Hatha Yoga School, Morarji Desai, Sri School of Yoga, Rishikesh, Yoga Institute, Sri Sri School of Yoga, Rishikesh, Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, International World Yoga Alliance and more.
Q3. What is the Yoga TTC program?
A3. Teacher Training courses are specialized to train students professionally in Yoga. But before teaching it to others, it is first important to apply it on sale. This is a very profound science, and not every other flexible person is eligible to teach it. Proper knowledge of it experientially, academically and practically must be ingrained in those individuals before teaching others. TTC can be a 2,3 or 5 months course, and it can also be 6 months to a 1-year course. Individuals are prepared in a committed environment to transmit it the way it should be consciously.
Q4. What are the prerequisites to pursue BA or BSC in yoga?
A4. To pursue a BA/BSc in Yoga, one must pass the 12th examination from a recognized school. In addition, he/she must be physically and mentally fit.
Q5. What is the scope of Yoga in current times?
A5. Physical and mental ailments are rampant in today’s time. They are worse than any generation before. As a result, yoga is observing a high demand as this practice can stop chronic ailments before it takes a toll on life. Thus, the scope of this subject will always increase as it is a way of life.
We hope that this information on Career in Yoga has helped you. If you have any queries, then you can ask us, and we will answer you. Use the comment section below for any queries and comments.
