SECTION 3A

Scheme for

Voluntary Certification of Yoga Professionals

The Scheme Launched by Ministry of AYUSH

and
Managed by QCI

COMPETENCE STANDARD

LEVEL 1 – YOGA INSTRUCTOR

QCI YPSC SD‐3A / Ver 2.0 April 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
1. INTRODUCTION:

The Scheme for Voluntary Certification of Yoga Professionals (SVCYP), hereinafter

referred to as the Scheme, needs to have a set of requirements as criteria against which
candidates shall be evaluated in order to being certified. This competence criteria to be used
for evaluation of Yoga Professionals is also termed as Competence Standard.

2. OBJECTIVE:

The objective of laying down the competence criteria or Standard is to provide a framework
for the examiners to assess the competence of candidates for validating their competence as
Yoga Professionals.

3. PURPOSE:

This document is a competence standard for assessing the competence of the Yoga
Professionals desirous of seeking Certification under the Scheme.

4. SCOPE:

This document is applicable for Level 1 – Yoga Instructor

Limitations – The standard is exclusively intended to recognize the Competency of applicant

with respect to the competence standard as defined in the scheme and makes no claim at the
therapeutic competence of the Yoga Professional.

5. COMPETENCE CRITERIA:

5.1 Competency Levels: The use of the specific levels (e.g. familiarity) indicates the level of
competency expected in Table 1 below.

Table 1
Knowledge:
There shall be three (3) levels of understanding as described below
Familiarity Knowledge In-Depth Knowledge
Possess introductory knowledge Possess an Through study and practicum,
of a subject sufficient to bring the understanding of all possess a confident, in-depth
aspirant’s awareness to the aspects of a subject understanding of a subject and
existence and central essence of and its specific its multiple applications as well
that subject and for the aspirant to applications to the as its potential limitations in the
know when further knowledge is practice of Yoga. practice of Yoga.
required for the practice of Yoga.
Skill:
There shall be two (2) levels of understanding as described below
Demonstration Ability Ability to Apply the knowledge
Demonstrate the ability to undertake Demonstrate the application of knowledge
particular tasks associated with the work of to specific Yoga practices.
a Yoga Professional.

QCI YPSC SD‐3A / Ver 2.0 April 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
5.2 The details are given in the subsequent paragraph.

KNOWLEDGE
Familiarity with the following:

SECTION 1
1.1 Introduction to Yoga and Yogic practices
1 Etymology of Yoga and definitions of Yoga in different Classical Yoga texts
2 Brief introduction to origin, history and development of Yoga
3 Aim, Objectives and Misconceptions about Yoga
4 General Introduction to Shad-darshanas with special reference to Sankhya and Yoga
5 General introduction to four paths of Yoga
6 Principles of Yoga and Yogic practices
7 Guidelines for Instructors

1.2 Introduction to hatha yoga

8 Distinction between Yoga Asana and Non-Yogic physical practices
9 Introduction to important Hatha Yoga Texts with special reference to Hatha Yoga
Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita
10 Concept of Yogic Diet
11 Causes of Success (SadhakaTattwa) and Causes of Failure (Badhaka Tattwa) in Hatha
Yoga Sadhana
12 Concept of Ghata and Ghata Shudhhi in Hatha Yoga
13 Purpose and utility of Shat-kriya Hatha Yoga
14 Purpose and utility of Asana in Hatha Yoga
15 Purpose and importance of Pranayama in Hatha Yoga

1.3 Introducton to Patanjali

16 Definition, nature and aim of Yoga according to Patanjali
17 Concept of Chitta and Chitta Bhumis
18 Chitta-vrittis and Chitta-vrittinirodhopaya (Abhyasa and Vairagya)
19 Concept of Ishwara and Ishwara Pranidhana
20 Chitta Vikshepas (Antarayas) and their associates (Sahabhuva)
21 Concept of Chitta Prasadana and their relevance in mental well being
22 Kleshas and their significance in Yoga
23 Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali : its purpose and effects, its significance

QCI YPSC SD‐3A / Ver 2.0 April 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
SECTION 2
Familiarity with the following

2.1 Introduction to human systems, yoga and health

1. The nine systems of human body
2. Functions of different systems of human body
3. Introduction to Sensory Organs
4. Neuromuscular co-ordination of Sensory Organs
5. Basic understanding of Exercise Physiology
6. Homeostasis
7. The benefits of various asana on different parts of the human body
8. The limitations and contra-indications of specific Yoga practices

2.2 Yoga for wellness- prevention and promotion of positive health

1. Health, its meaning and definitions
2. Yogic conceptions of health and diseases
3. Concept of Pancha kosha
4. Concept of Triguna
5. Concept of Panchamahabhutas
6. Yogic principles of Healthy-Living
7. Introduction to yogic diet and nutrition

2.3 Yoga and stress management

1. Human Psyche: Yogic and modern concepts, Behavior and Consciousness
2. Frustration, Conflicts, and Psychosomatic disorders
3. Relationship between Mind and Body
4. Mental Hygiene and Roll of Yoga in Mental Hygiene
5. Mental health: a Yogic perspective
6. Prayer and meditation for mental health
7. Psycho-social environment and its importance for mental health (yama, and niyama)
8. Concept of stress according to modern science and Yoga
9. Role of Yoga in Stress management
10. Role of Yoga for Life management

QCI YPSC SD‐3A / Ver 2.0 April 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
SKILL
(Even though it is not finding a place in ancient yoga texts, Sukshma Vyayama and Surya
Namaskar have been included because of their popularity)

SECTION 3 Sukhshma Vyayama and Shat Karma

Familiarity with the following

3.1 Sukshma Vyayama

The movement of key joints of the body and the demonstrated ability to perform the same
i. Neck
ii. Shoulder
iii. Trunk
iv. Knee
v. Ankle

3.2 Shat Karma (only knowledge)

Neti
Dhauti
Kapalabhati
Agnisaar Kriya
Trataka

3.3 Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation)

a. Knowledge and Demonstration ability to perform Suryanamaskar

SECTION 4 : Asana
a. Knowledge of postures as below and demonstrated ability to perform these postures.

i. Saravangasana (shoulderstand)
ii. Halasana (plough)
iii. Matsyasana (fish)
iv. Paschimottanasana (sitting forward bend)
v. Bhujangasana (cobra)
vi. Salabhasana (locust)
vii. Dhanurasana (bow)

QCI YPSC SD‐3A / Ver 2.0 April 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
viii. Vakrasana(half spinal twist)
ix. Kakasana or bakasana (crow)
x. Padahasthasana (standing forward bend)
xi. Trikonasana (triangle)
xii. Uttanapaadaasana (raised leg)
xiii. pawan muktaasana (wind relieving)
xiv. vajrasana (Thunderbolt) (only knowledge and no demonstration)
xv. Mandukasana (Frog)
b. Knowledge of another five asanas chosen by the applicant and demonstrated ability
to perform the same.
c. Knowledge of the Sanskrit names of the postures and breathing exercises, detailed
benefits and caution.
d. Knowledge of the five spinal movements – inverted, forward, backward, lateral twist
and lateral bend and neutral positions of the spine
e. Knowledge of 360 degree, all round, Yogic exercise through the practice of asanas,
proper relaxation, proper breathing, contra-indications, cautions and medical
considerations; obvious and subtle benefits; and modification in basic postures to
accommodate limitations

SECTION 5
Pranayama and Practices leading to Meditation

5.1 Pranayama
a. Familiarity with and Demonstrated ability to perform abdominal (and diaphragmatic),
thoracic, clavicular breathing and the full Yogic breath.
b. Familiarity with and Demonstrated ability to perform Anuloma Viloma, Bhastrika,
Chandrabheda, Suryabhedhana, Ujjayi, Bhramari, Sheetali, Sheetkari, and the
knowledge of its benefits, limitation and applications.

5.2 Practices leading to Meditation

a. Familiarity with and Demonstrated ability to perform Dharana and Dhyana and to
demonstrate allied practices like Mudras, Mantra Japa.
b Familiarity with the concept of environment for meditation and the benefits of
meditation on health and well being and its practical application in modern life.

QCI YPSC SD‐3A / Ver 2.0 April 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
SECTION 6
Teaching Practice

6.1 Knowledge of
a. The scope of practice of Yoga and how to assess the need for referral to other
professional services when needed
b. Observed capacity for, well-developed communication skills: listening, presence,
directive and non-directive dialogue.

6.2 Demonstrated ability

a. To recognize, adjust, and adapt to specific aspirant needs in the progressive classes.
b. To recognize and manage the subtle dynamics inherent in the teacher - aspirant
relationship.

6.3 Principles and skills for educating aspirants

Familiarity with and demonstrated ability to apply effective teaching methods, adapt to
unique styles of learning, provide supportive and effective feedback, acknowledge the
aspirant's progress, and cope with difficulties.

6.4 Principles and skills for working with groups

a. Familiarity with and Demonstrated ability to design and implement group programs.
b. Familiarity of group dynamics and allied techniques of communication skills, time
management, and the establishment of priorities and boundaries.
c. Familiarity with techniques to address the specific needs of individual participants, to
the degree possible in a group setting.

7. EVALUATION CRITERIA
The criteria for evaluation of candidates include assessing the knowledge and skill of the
Yoga Professional. The weightage of knowledge and skills is proportionately distributed
while evaluating all the levels of Yoga Professionals. The assessment of Yoga
Professionals shall be based on the scores secured by them.

The mark distribution for Level 1 Yoga Instructor is presented in Table 2. This table indicates
the distribution of marks in various sections under Knowledge and Skill.

QCI YPSC SD‐3A / Ver 2.0 April 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 2
KNOWLEDGE
Sl. No. Subject Name Weightage (%)
1 Introduction to Yoga and Yogic practices 15
2 Introduction to Human Body and Psyche 15
SKILL
3 Yogic Sukshma Vyayama, Suryanamaskar and knowledge 10
about Shat Kriya
4 Asana 25
5 Pranayama and Meditation 15
6 Instructing the students, Instructing skills 20

QCI YPSC SD‐3A / Ver 2.0 April 2016