Yoga, meaning 'union' in Sanskrit, is one of the oldest fitness regimes in the world. It has been in practice for around 5,000 years as the art of living a physically, mentally and spiritually healthy life. But as a career option, Yoga has come up in the forefront only recently both in India and abroad. The art has come out of its shell of being known as just a way of rejuvenation to a booming career option abroad and it is picking up as a lucrative alternative in India, the land of its origin. Contrary to certain misconceptions, Yoga hardly has anything to do with any particular belief or religion.

As there are no specified qualifications to become a Yoga instructor / trainer, experience counts a lot. Only after a practice of around 10 - 12 years, you can become a good instructor simply because you really get well - versed with the practice through these years. In India, there are more than 35 colleges offering graduate and postgraduate courses in Yoga, besides, around 15 Yoga learning centres. If you are a graduate in any discipline you can pursue courses in Yoga, but Philosophy graduates are preferred. These courses are available at the graduation level, post - graduation level.

The main areas of Yoga include anatomy, philosophy, exercises, meditation and also theory and principles of Yoga. In the practical part, many asanas like shatkama, suryanamaskar, pranayam and yogasana are taught. Since most of the literature of Yoga is in Sanskrit, working knowledge of the literature will help you in understanding the discipline better and faster. Other professionals like doctors, engineers, paramedical persons, scientists and researchers can also take up courses in Yoga. Amount of time taken to become a certified Yoga teacher varies from person to person, depending upon individual's commitment , desire, degree of one - to - one training and practice.

Work areas in Yoga can be divided into two -(a) Teaching and Research and (b) Curing diseases (Yoga therapist). To become a successful Yoga teacher, apart from having the hands - on -experience, you must have all the required knowledge of Yoga. The instructors teach students the ways to develop the awareness of their physical and psychological state to make them able to handle the various situations in day to day life. Nowadays, books, videos and websites are available on Yoga that focus on postures, breathing and meditation but the tradition also emphasises love, compassion, knowledge and right action as paths towards union. Yoga is a methodology for developing a deeper experience of oneself and the world. Practicing Yoga also makes the trainer healthier in body, mind and spirit.

The other aspect of Yoga is its curative power. It has been seen over a period of time that mostly people get enticed to learn and practice Yoga for its curative properties. Yoga helps manage or control many ailments including asthma, arthritis, back pain and blood pressure. Therefore, it becomes very important that the Yoga trainer should be an expert in all postures and their effects before jumping on to the career bandwagon. Generally, if somebody has a physical problem, then emphasis is laid on asanas and breathing exercises. Mediation along with breathing exercises in also practiced. If the person has mental illness, depression or anxiety, then more stress is laid on mediation and breathing exercises.

People trained in Yoga have many opportunities of employment. Due to globalisation of the practice of Yoga, there is a tremendous demand for trainers for health centres, schools, resorts, TV shows, etc. As a result, the competition is also tough. Here, there is no fixed working hours and you have to keep yourself fit and fine. You can start your own centre. For this, you need some clean space and fresh air. In case of Yoga therapy and clinics. You can also start consultancy service.

For the beginners, the per month income starts generally with Rs. 10,000 and goes up to Rs. 40,000. You can even earn up to Rs. 1 lakh per month. For private practitioners and consultants sky is the limit.

For success in this field, you must have good communication skills because clients would be from various walks of life with varying needs. The age group and thus the body structure would be different. You should be able to listen to their needs and convince and assure them that their problems would be taken care of. You will have to tailor your training programme accordingly. Another important aspects is level of motivation. You will have to keep your motivation level high so that you are able to work hard and provide quality Yoga classes to your clients. You must remember that people do not do Yoga to change their lives, but to overcome their daily problems of stress and other problems. Therefore, you must also be a good listener with loads of patience.

Institutes

Course : B.A./B.Sc.

• Dr. Harsingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Gour Nagar, Sagar (M.P.)
• Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar (Uttaranchal)
• North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon (Maharashtra)
• University of Pune, Pune (Maharashtra)
• Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)
• Shivaji University, Vidyanagar, Kolhapur (Maharashtra)
  Course : Diploma in Yoga & Naturopathy
  
  • Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar (Gujarat)
  • Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra (U.P.)
  • Alagappa University, Alagappa Nagar, Karaikudi (Tamil Nadu)
  • Shri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Awadesh Pratap Singh University, Rewa (Madhya Pradesh)
  • Dr. Harsingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Gour Nagar, Sagar (M.P.)
  • Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Ahmedabad (Gujarat)
  • Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar (Uttaranchal)
  • Karnataka University, Dharwad (Karnataka)
  • MJP Rohilkhand University, Bareilly (U.P.)
  • Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla (H.P.)
  • Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, (Karnataka)
  • University of Mumbai, MG road, Fort, Mumbai
  • Antahpragnya, East of Kailash, New Delhi
  • Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Vidyapeeth Bhavan, Gultekadi, Pune (Maharashtra)