Syllabus of Yoga for NET Examination of UGC

1. Foundations of Yoga : History, Evolution of Yoga and Schools of Yoga

2. Basic Yoga Texts : Principal Upanishads Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Vasishtha
3. Patanjala Yoga Sutra
4. Hatha Yoga Texts
5. Allied Sciences : Anatomy and Physiology, Diet and Nutrition, General Psychology
and Counseling
6. Yoga and Health
7. Therapeutic Yoga – Disease Wise and Evidence based
8. Applications of Yoga
9. Practical Yoga: Asana, Pranayama, Dharana Dhyana, Bandha, Mudra, Shat Kriya
10. Methods of Teaching Yoga

1. Foundations of Yoga : History, Evolution of Yoga and Schools of Yoga

• Origin of Yoga, History and Development of Yoga; Etymology and Definitions,
Misconceptions, Aim and Objectives of Yoga, True Nature and Principles of Yoga
• Introduction to Vedas, Upanishads, Prasthanatrayee and Purushartha Chatushtaya
• General introduction to Shad-darshanas with special emphasis on Samkhya and
Yoga Darshana, Yoga in Vedanta
• Introduction to Epics - (Ramayana, Mahabharata), Yoga in Ramayana, Yoga in
Mahabharata
• Introduction to Smritis and Yoga in Smritis; General introduction to Agamas and
Tantra, Yoga in Tantra; Concepts of Nadi and Prana in Tantra, Kundalini, Effects of
Kundalini Shakti and Shatchakra Sadhana
• Yoga in Medieval Literature, Bhakti Yoga of Medieval Saints, Yoga in Narada Bhakti
Sutras.
• Yoga in Modern Times: Yogic Traditions of Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda,
Shri Aurobindo; Yoga traditions of Maharshi Ramana and Swami Dayanand
Saraswati
• Yoga in Contemporary Times: Brief Introduction to important Yoga Paramparas
(lineages) Yoga Parampara of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, Yoga Parampara of Swami
Shivanada Saraswati, Swami Rama of Himalayas, Maharshi Mahesh Yogi and their
contributions for the development and promotion of Yoga.
• Introduction to Schools (Streams)of Yoga: Yoga Schools with Vedanta Tradition
(Jnana, Bhakti,Karma and Dhyana), Yoga Schools with Samkhya-Yoga Tradition
(Yoga of Patanjali) and Yoga Schools with Tantric Tradition ( Hatha Yoga, Swara
Yoga and Mantra Yoga)
• Elements of Yoga and Yogic practices in Jainism, Buddhism and Sufism

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2. Basic Yoga Texts :: Principal Upanishads Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Vasishtha
Principal Upanishads

Brief Introduction of Ten principal Upanishads as the basis of Yogic contect;

Ishavasyopanishad: Concept of Karmanishta; Concept of Vidya and Avidya; Knowledge
of Brahman; Atma Bhava;

Kena Upanishat: Indwelling Power; Indriya and Antahkarana; Self and the Mind;
Intutive realization of the truth; Truth transcendental; Moral of Yaksha Upakhyana;

Katha Upanishad : Definition of Yoga; Nature of Soul; Importance of Self Realization;

Prashna Upanishad: Concept of Prana and rayi (creation); Pancha pranas; The five
main questions;

Mundaka Upanishad: Two approaches to Brahma Vidya-the Para and Apara; The
greatness of Brahmavidya, The worthlessness of Selfish-karma; Tapas and Gurubhakti,
The origin of creation, Brahman the target of Meditation

Mandukya: Four States of Consciousness and its relation to syllables in Omkara.

Aitareya: Concept of Atma, Universe and Brahman.

Taittiriya Upanishad Concept of Pancha Kosha; Summary of Shiksha Valli; Ananda

Valli; Bhruguvalli.

Chandogya Upanishad: Om (udgitha) Meditation; Sandilyavidya,

Brihadaryanaka Upanishad : Concept of Atman and Jnana Yoga. Union of Atman and
Paramatman

Bhagavad Gita
General Introduction to Bhagavad Gita (B.G.). Definitions of Yoga in B.G. and their
relevance & Scope; Essentials of B.G - the meanings of the terms Atmaswrupa,
Stithaprajna, Sankhya Yoga (Chpt.II), Karma Yoga (Chpt.III ), Sanyasa Yoga and
Karma Swarupa (Sakama and Nishkama) etc; Samnyasa, Dhyana Yogas (Chpt. VI);
Nature of Bhakti (Chpt.XII), Means and Goal of Bhakti-Yoga; The Trigunas and
modes of Prakriti; Three Kinds of Faith. Food for Yoga Sadhaka, Classification of
food (Chpt.XIV & XVII) Daivasura-Sampad-Vibhaga Yoga (Chpt.XVI); Moksa-
Upadesa Yoga (Chpt. XVIII)

Yoga Vasishtha
Highlights of Yoga Vashitha, Concept of Adhis and Vyadhis; Psychosomatic
Ailments; The four Gatekeepers (Pillars) to Freedom; How Sukha is attained the
Highest State of Bliss; Practices to overcome the Impediments of Yoga;
Development of Satvaguna; Eight limbs of Meditation; Jnana Saptabhumika.

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3. Patanjala Yoga Sutra
Introduction: Yoga, it’s meaning & purpose & Nature of Yoga; Concept of Chitta,
Chitta-Bhumis, Chitta-Vrittis, Chitta-Vritti nirodhopaya Abhyasa and Vairagya as the
tools Chitta-Vikshepas (Antarayas), Chitta-prasadanam, Prakriti and its evolutes.
SAMADHI PADA : Types and nature of Samadhi: Ritambharaprajna and
Adhyatmaprasada; Samprajnata, Asamprajnata, Sabeeja & Nirbeeja Samadhi,
Difference between Samapattis and Samadhi; Concept of Ishvara and qualities of
Ishvara.
SADHANA PADA : Concept of Kriya Yoga of Patanjali, theory of Kleshes; Concept of
Dukhavada; Drishyanirupanam, Drasthanirupanama, PrakritiPurushaSamYoga; Brief
Introduction to Ashtanga Yoga; Concept of Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama,
Pratyahara and their usefulness in ChittavrittinirodhopayaH.
VIBHUTI & KAIVALYA PADA: Introduction of Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi,
Samyama and Siddhis; Four types of Karmas; Concept of Vasana;
Vivek Khyati Nirupanam, Kaivalya.- Nirvachana.

4. Hatha Yoga texts

• Introduction to Hatha Yoga and Hatha Yoga Texts. Siddhasiddhanta paddhati, Hatha
Pradeepika, Gheranda Samhita, Hatha Ratnavali and Shiva Samhita. Aim &
objectives, misconceptions about Hatha Yoga, prerequisites of Hatha Yoga (dasha
yama and dasha niyama), Sadhaka and Badhaka tattvas in Hatha Yoga; Concept of
Ghata, Ghatashuddhi, Concept and importance of Shodhana kriyas in Hatha Yoga;
Importance of Shodhana kriyas in health and disease; Concept of Mattha,
Mitaahara, Rules & Regulations to be followed by Hatha Yoga Sadhakas;
• Asanas in Hatha Texts: Definition, pre requisites and special features of Yoga-asana;
Asanas in Hatha Pradeepika, Hatha Ratnavali, Gheranda Samhita; Benefits,
precautions, and contraindications of different Asanas;
• Pranayama in Hatha Texts: - Concept of Prana & Ayama, Pranyama; Pranayama its
phases and stages; Prerequisites of Pranayama in Hatha Yoga Sadhana; Pranayama
in Hatha Pradeepika, Hatha Ratnavali & Gheranda Samhita; Benefits, precautions
and contraindications of Pranayama.
• Bandha, Mudra and other practices: Concept, definition of Bandha and Mudras, in
Hatha Pradeepika, Hatha Ratnavali and Gheranda Samhita; Benefits, precautions
and contraindications. Concept, definition, benefits and Techniques of Pratyahara,
Dharana and Dhyana in Gheranda Samhita; Concept and benefits of Nada and
Nadanusandhana in Hatha Pradeepika, Four Avasthas (stages) of Nadanusandhana;
Relationship between Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga; Goal of Hatha Yoga. Relevance of
Hatha Yoga in contemporary times.

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5. Allied Sciences – General Psychology, Essential Anatomy and Physiology; Dietetics
and Nutrition

General Psychology
• INTRODUCTION:
Brief History of modern Psychology
Major Perspectives in Modern Psychology
Key data collection methods in Psychology

• Introduction to Altered States of Consciousness

Sleep: Stages of Sleep, Circadian Rhythm, Sleep Disorders; Dreams: The Content of
Dreams; Hypnosis, Biofeedback
• Behavioral Psychology: Psychology as a Science of Behavior; Definition of Behavior;
Psychic forces and human behavior, behavior and Consciousness, Psychological
basis of behavior;
• Personality: Nature and Types of Personality; Determinants of Personality: Heredity
and Environment; Facets and Stages of Personality Development; Personality
Theories of Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler and C.G. Jung, Carl Rogers; Assessment of
Personality:
• Cognitive Psychology: Sensation, Perception, Attention, Memory, Learning, Feeling
etc.; Their definitions and types, Intelligence and its’ measurements; Emotional
Intelligence and Social Intelligence.
• Mental Health; Means of mental health; Positive Mental Health; Causes and
Consequences of Conflicts and Frustrations; Introduction to Common mental
disorders; Depressive disorders; Anxiety disorders; Serious mental disorders; Sleep
disorders; Mental retardation; Alcohol and drug abuse; Suicide, attempted suicide
and suicide prevention.

Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology

• Introduction to cell, tissue, organs and systems; Basic cell physiology-Cell-

Introduction, Cell Organelles, Cell membrane, Movement of the substances and
water through the cell membrane, Bioelectric potentials.
• Musculoskeletal systems: Skeleton - names of all bones, joints and muscles,
cartilage, tendon and ligaments, types of bone, joints and their functions; spine,
muscles and their functions; Skeletal muscles - Properties of skeletal muscles,
Muscular contraction and relaxation, Neuromuscular junction, Sarcotubular
system, Smooth muscle- mechanism of contraction
• Digestive and excretory system: Anatomy of digestive system, excretory system
(component organs) and their functions; Gastro intestinal system- General

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 structure of alimentary canal, Gastric secretion, Pancreatic secretion, Gastric
motility-digestive peristalsis Gastrointestinal hormones.
• Renal physiology- Structure of kidney, Nephrones, Juxtra glomerular filtrate,
Reabsorption, Secretion-mechanism of secretion, Concentrating and diluting
mechanism of urine, Dialysis
• Nervous system and glands: Structure and properties of neurons, subdivisions of
nervous system and their functions, types of glands (endocrine and exocrine
glands), important endocrine and exocrine glands and types of hormones their
functions.
• Sensory nervous system, Motor nervous system, Higher functions of the nervous
system, Synapse, Reflexes Cerebrospinal fluid, Blood brain and blood CSF barrier
• Cardiovascular and respiratory system: Components of cardiovascular and
respiratory system; functions of cardiovascular and respiratory system; Circulatory
system- Functional anatomy of the heart, Properties of cardiac muscles, Conducting
system of the heart, Pressure changes during cardiac cycles, Capillary circulation,
Arterial and venous blood pressure; Respiratory system-Mechanism of breathing,
Ventilation, Regulation of respiration, Transport of gases, Hypoxia, Artificial
ventilation, Non respiratory functions of the lungs
• Immune system: Component organs of immune system, Functions of immune
system; Endocrinology-Endocrine glands, hormones, their functions;
• Reproductive system: Anatomy of male and female reproductive systems
• Stress physiology- how acute and chronic stress disturbs the normal physiology

Dietetics and Nutrition

• Basic concepts and components of food and nutrition Understanding Nutrition,
Basic Terminology in Relation to Nutrition Requirement, Human Nutritional
Requirements; Concept of food, Acceptance of Food, Functions of Food;
Components of Food & their Classification; Macro Nutrients –Sources, Functions
and Effects on the Body; Micro Nutrients - Sources, Functions and Effects on the
Body; Fat Soluble Nutrients - Sources, Functions and Effects on the Body; Water
soluble Nutrients - Sources, Functions and Effects on the Body; Significance of
Carbohydrate, Proteins, Lipids, Vitamins, Minerals and water in the body;
Antioxidants and their Role;
• Yogic concept of diet and its relevance in the management of lifestyle
• Nutrients, proximate principles of diet, balanced diet concept; Carbohydrates,
proteins, fats – sources, nutritive values, importance; Minerals-calcium, iron,
phosphorus etc. Vitamins – sources, roles, requirements

• Food groups.
Cereals & Millets –Selection, Preparation and Nutritive Value; Pulses, Nuts and Oil
Seeds- Selection, Preparation and Nutritive Value; Milk and Milk Products- Selection,

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 Preparation and Nutritive Value; Vegetables and Fruits- Selection, Preparation and
Nutritive Value, Fats, Oils and Sugar, Jaggery- Selection, Preparation and Nutritive
Value

• Food and metabolism. Energy- Basic Concepts, Definition and Components of Energy
Requirement, Energy Imbalance Concept of Metabolism, Anabolism, Catabolism,
Calorie Requirement-BMR, SDA, Physical Activity; Metabolism of Carbohydrates,
Lipids and Protein; Factors Affecting Energy; Requirement and Expenditure, Factors
affecting BMR.

6. Yoga and Health

• Definition & Importance of Health According to WHO; Dimensions of Health:
Physical, Mental, Social and Spiritual;
• Concept of Health and Disease in Indian Systems of Medicine i.e. Ayurveda,
Naturopathy
• Yogic Concept of Health and Disease: Concept of Adhi and Vyadhi; Meaning and
definitions,
• Concepts of Trigunas, Pancha-mahabhutas, Pancha-prana and their role in Health
and Healing; Concept of Pancha-koshas & Shat-chakra and their role in Health and
Healing;
• Role of Yoga in preventive health care – Yoga as a way of life, Heyam dukham
anagatam; Potential causes of Ill-health: Tapatrayas and Kleshas, Physical and
Physiological manifestation of Disease: Vyadhi, Alasya, Angamejayatva and Ssvasa-
prashvasa.
• Mental and Emotional ill Health: Styana, Samshaya, Pramada, Avirati, Bhranti-
darsana, Alabdha-bhumikatva, Anavasthitatva, Duhkha and Daurmanasya
• Yogic Diet - General Introduction of Ahara; Concept of Mitahara; Classification in
Yogic diet according to traditional Yoga texts;; Diet according to the body
constitution ( Prakriti) – Vata, Pitta and Kapha as also Gunas.
• Concepts of Diet Pathya and Apathya according to Gheranda Samhita,Hatha
Pradeepika and Bhagavad Gita; Importance of Yogic Diet in Yog Sadhana and its role
in healthy living; Diet according to the body constitution ( Prakriti) – Vata, Pitta and
Kapha as also Gunas.
• Yogic Principles of Healthy Living: Ahara, Vihara, Achara and Vichara; Role of Yogic
Positive Attitudes (Maitri, Karuna, Mudita and Upeksha) for Healthy Living, Concept
of Bhavas and Bhavanas with its relevance in Health and well-being

7. Therapeutic Yoga – Disease Wise and Evidence based

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• Yogic Practice*- Management of the disease through suitable yogic practices - Yogic
diet, Asanas, Shatkarmas; Pranayama; Meditation; Notional corrections through
yogic scriptures and counseling; Yama and Niyama; Stress(emotions management)
Life style prescriptions - Moderation in Ahara, Vihara, Achara and Vichara.
• Integrated approach of Yoga Therapy in the treatment of diseases ** Systemic
anatomy, physiology of the related System; Pathophysiology, Stress and disease;
Medical Management; Mechanism of imbalances at psychological, pranic, physical,
endocrinal, autonomic levels;psyhocneuroimmunological aspect of the disease
model; Disease specific parameter; what, why and how of each Yogic practice*;
Prevention. Evidence research done on the particular disease;
• General Parameters and questionnaires to evaluate Health status - GHQ, Prakriti,
Guna, PSS, STAI.
** Integrated Approach of Yoga therapy for the following Common Ailments:
• Respiratory disorders - Allergic Rhinitis & Sinusitis: COPD: Chronic Bronchitis,
Tuberculosis: Evidence research done on the particular disease
• Cardiovascular disorders: Hypertension:, Atherosclerosis / Coronary artery disease:
Ischemic Heart disease – Angina pectoris / Myocardial Infarction/ Post CABG
rehabilitation: Congestive Cardiac failure, Cardiac asthma:
• Endocrinal and Metabolic Disorder - Diabetes Mellitus (I&II); Hypo and Hyper-
Thyroidism; Obesity: Metabolic Syndrome
• Obstetrics and Gynecological Disorders, Menstrual disorders: Dysmenorrhea,
Oligomenorrhea, Menorrhagia: Premenstrual Syndrome: Menopause and peri-
menopausal syndrome: Yoga for Pregnancy and Childbirth: Complicated pregnancies:
PIH, Gestational DM, Ante-natal care, Post-natal care; PCOS:
• Gastrointestinal disorders APD: Gastritis – Acute & Chronic, Dyspepsia, Peptic
Ulcers, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Definition,
Etiopathogenesis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ulcerative colitis
• Cancer: types, clinical features, Side effects of Chemotherapy, radiotherapy
• Musculo-Skeletal Disorders: Back Pain: Lumbar Spondylosis, Intervertebral disc
prolapse (IVDP), Spondylolisthesis, Spondylitis, Psychogenic- Lumbago, Neck pain:
Cervical Spondylosis, radiculopathy, Functional neck pain, All forms of Arthritis:
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis
• Neurological Disorders: Headaches: Migraine, Tension headache; Cerebro vascular
accidents: Epilepsy; pain; Autonomic dysfunctions; Parkinson’s disease
• Psychiatric disorders: Psychiatric disorders: Neurosis, Psychosis: Neurosis: Anxiety
disorders: Generalized anxiety disorder, Panic Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive

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 Disorder, Phobias: Depression: Dysthymia, Major depression, Psychosis:
Schizophrenia, Bipolar affective disorder.
8. Applications of Yoga
• Yoga in Education: Salient features of Yoga Education, Factors of Yoga Education;
Teacher, Student and Teaching, Guru-shishya parampara and its importance in Yoga
Education; Value Education, its meaning and definitions, types of values, value-
oriented education and modes of living, role of value oriented education;
contribution of Yoga towards development of values; Salient features of ideal Yoga
teacher, role of Yoga teacher in value-oriented education, role of Yoga in
development of human society; Yogic Concepts for the Development of Four Fold
Consciousness - Civic Sense, Patriotic Urge, Service Zeal and Spiritual Growth;
• Yoga for Stress Management: Introduction to Stress, Concept of Stress; Solutions
through Mandukya karika - Relaxation and stimulation combined as the core for
stress management; Practice of Stimulation and relaxation; Yoga and Stress
Management; Concepts and Techniques of Stress Management in Ashtanga Yoga of
Patanjali and Bhagavad Gita, specific practices for stress management, breath
awareness, shavasana, Yoganidra, pranayama and meditation, imapct of yogic
lifestyle on stress management.
• Yoga for Personality Development - Yogic attitudes for personality development,
Ashtanga Yoga and personality development, personality development with spcial
emphasis on Panchakosa. Memory and Concentration; Short-term, long-term
memory, stages of memory foundation and maintenance; Yoga modules to improve
memory; Barriers to concentration; creativity eastern concept, silence and creativity;
yogic approach to creativity; yogic practices for creativity development; Facets of
intelligence; concept of intelligence according to Yoga; Yoga practices for IQ
development; Practices for Anger Management;

9. Practical Yoga
Yogic Practices – Asana, Kriya, Mudra, Bandha, Dhyana, Surya Namaskara
(Techniques, Salient Features, Benefits)
• Shatkarmas Dhauti (Kunjal), Vastra dhauti, Danda dhauti, Laghoo and Poorna
sankhaprakshalana, Neti (Sutra and Jala), Kapalbhati, Agnisara, Nauli
• Suryanamaskar- Suryanamaskar must be practiced traditionally and the variation in
Suryanamskar may be taken into consideration based on the convenience of patients
for therapy.
• Asnas (yogic postures) Standing Postures Ardhakati chakrasana, Hastapadasana,
Ardhachakrasana, Trikonasana, Parivritta trikonasana, Parsvakanasana, Veersana,
Sitting postures Paschimottanasana, Suptavajrasana, Ardhamatsyendrasana,
Vakrasana, Marichasana, Malasana, Badhakanasana, Merudandasana, Akarna
dhanurasana, Gumukhasana, Prone postures Bhujangasana, Salabhasana,

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 Dhanurasana, Urdhvamukhosvanasana, Makarasana, Supine postures Halasana,
Chakrasana, Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Shavasana, Setubandhasana, Balancing
postures Vrikshasana, Garudasana, Namaskarasana, Tittibhasana, Natrajasana
• Pranayama Breath awareness, Sectional breathing, Nadishuddhi, Bhastrika, Ujjai,
Cooling pranayama (Sitali, Sitkari and Sadanta), Bhramari, Pranayama (with Antar &
Bahya Kumbhaka)
• Practices leading to Meditation: Pranav and Soham Japa, Yoga Nidra (1,2,3),
Antarmauna, Ajapa Dharana (Stage 1,2,3), Practices leading to Breath Meditation,
Practices leading to Om Meditation, Practices leading to Vipassana Meditation,
Practices leading to Preksha Meditation
• Bandhas and Mudras: Jivha Bandha, Jalandhara Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha, Mula
Bandha, Maha Bandha, Yoga Mudra, Maha Mudra, Shanmukhi Mudra, Tadagi
Mudra, Vipareet Karni Mudra
• Contemporary Yogic Practices - Yogic Sukshma Vyayama, Cyclic Meditation (S-
VYASA); Mindfulness based Stress Reduction Technique (Kabatzin); Mind Sound
Resonance Technique (S-VYASA); Raja Yoga Meditation (Brahmakumaris);
Transcendental Meditation (Mahesh Yogi); ZEN Buddhist Meditation; Yoga Nidra
(BSY); Savita Ki Dhyan Dharana (DSVV)
10. Methods of Teaching Yoga
• Teaching and Learning: Concepts and Relationship between the two; Principles of
Teaching: Levels and Phases of Teaching, Quality of perfect Yoga Guru; Yogic levels of
learning, Vidyarthi, Shishya, Mumukshu; Meaning and scope of Teaching methods,
and factors influencing them; Sources of Teaching methods; Role of Yoga Teachers
and Teacher training Techniques of Individualized; Teaching Techniques of group
teaching; Techniques of mass instructions; Organization of teaching (Time
Management, Discipline etc)
• Essentials of Good Lesson Plan: concepts, needs, planning of teaching Yoga
(Shodhanakriya, Asana, Mudra, Pranayama & Meditation);
• Models of Lesson Plan; Illustration of the need for a lesson plan; Illustration of the
need for a content plan; Eight Step method of Introduction as developed in
Kaivalyadhama.
• Evaluation methods of an ideal Yoga class; Methods of customizing Yoga class to
meet individual needs. The student will have demonstrations and training in the
above mentioned aspects of teaching methods.
• Yoga classroom: Essential features, Area, Sitting arrangement in Yoga class
• Student’s Approach to the teacher: Pranipaata; Pariprashna; Seva; (BG 4.34)