Advance Certificate Course in Yoga Minimum Standards
Aim of Certification
The aim is to produce Yoga professionals such that an IYA certified professional will have minimum / basic common standards of Yoga knowledge and expertise irrespective of which institute he or she is certified from. These standards will become the hallmark of Yoga all over the world.
How will it benefit the member?
It is advantageous for individuals to get certified under this scheme of IYA because IYA will maintain a portal on its website detailing the list and individual details of certified Yoga professionals under this scheme. This will provide more job and service opportunities.
What is the Role of Indian Yoga Association?
IYA will provide the Syllabi for the Various Courses and Accredit Member Institutes for conducting the courses.
Certificates once issued by the Member Institutes to candidates on successfully completing the Courses will be permanent. IYA reserves the right to and will conduct audit checks on the Courses to be conducted by the Member Institutes.
Eligibility – 12th Std or Certificate Course in Yoga
Duration – 500 Hours
Practical: Theory = 50 : 50 I.E. 250 Hours: 250 Hours
Minimum Contact Hours = 80% I.E. 400 Hours
Practical – Total Contact Hours = 200 Hours
Theory – Total Contact Hours = 200 Hours
Fees: Rs 1500 for Indian Nationals / $ 50 for non Indians
(Please note that the certification fees is different from course fees;
course fees is as per norms of the hosting institution)
All about the ACCY minimum standards
Of the 106 Topics, Institutions should cover at least 74 topics (The score should be greater than 74 for the Theory topics of ACCY), This would mean upto 32 topics may be institution-specific syllabus
 Section 1 Philosophy |
| Indian Philosophy |
| 1. Astika & Nastika Darsanas |
| 2. Common Characteristics of IP (a slightly deeper understanding) |
| Samkhya Darshana |
| 3. Dukha Traya |
| 4. Purusa & Prakrti |
| 5. Avidya |
| 6. Tri–Guna Theory |
| 7. Names and Characteristics of 25 Tattvas |
| 8. Kaivalya |
| Yoga Darshana (Patanjali Yoga Sutras) |
| 9. Background of Patanjali |
| 10. Names of 4 Padas |
| 11. The Ashtangas |
| 12. Sabija / Nirbija / Dharmamegha Samadhi |
| 13. Antarayas and method to remove them |
| 14. Vikshepa Sahabhuvas and method to remove them |
| 15. Vrittis & methods to eliminate them |
| 16. Klesas & methods to eliminate them |
| 17. Cittaprasadana & Manasthithi Nibandhini techniques |
| 18. Definition & description of Ishvara |
| 19. Concept of Samapatti |
| 20. Concept and examples of Siddhis / Vibhutis |
| 21. Kaivalya |
| Etymological Meanings & Definitions of ‘Yoga’ |
| Meanings with Explanation |
| 22. Yujir-yoge |
| 23. Yuj-samyoga |
| 24. Yuj-samyamne Yuj-samadhi |
| Definitions with Explanation |
| 25. PYS Def Ch I – S: 2 |
| Bhagavad Gita |
| 26. Samatvam Yoga Uchyate; |
| 27. Yogaha Karmasu Kaushalam |
| Salient features of Indian Culture |
| Only Names & brief understanding |
| 28. Deeper Understanding |
| 29. Sanatana Dharma |
| 30. Vaidic Dharma |
| 31. Anekantavada |
| 32. Ashrama Dharma |
| 33. Purusharthas |
| 34. Guru-Shishya Parampara |
| 35. Karma & Law of Karma |
| 36. Dharma |
| 37. Spiritual culture (Adhyatmic Samskriti) / Materialistic culture (Bhautic Samskriti) |
| Section 2 Basic Texts of Yoga |
| Patanjali Yoga Sutras |
| 38. Over-view of 1st and 2nd Padas |
| 39. Over-view of 3rd and 4th Padas |
| 40. Sutras by heart |
| 41. Definition (Ch:I S-2); |
| 42. Ashtanga Yoga (Ch:II S- 29); |
| 43. Asana (Ch:II S-46); |
| 44. Pranayama (Ch:II S-49) |
| 45. Ashtangas of Yoga (Ch:II S-54) (Ch:III S-1, 2 &3) |
| 46. Cittaprasadana (Ch:I S-33 &34) |
| 47. Pratipaksha Bhavana (Ch:II S-33) |
| Hatha Pradipika (HP) & Gheranda Samhita (GS) |
| 48. Deeper Understanding of Hatha Yoga |
| Deeper understanding of Hatha Pradipika |
| 49. Understanding of 4 angas |
| 50. Understanding of 15 Asanas |
| 51. Understanding of Shat Kriyas |
| 52. Understanding of 8 |
| 53. Kumbhakas |
| 54. Understanding of 10 Mudras |
| 55. Badhak Tattva / Sadhak Tattva |
| Deeper understanding of Gheranda Samhita |
| 56. Understanding of Saptangas |
| Bhagavad Gita |
| 57. Name of Author |
| 58. No. of Chapters |
| Detailed understanding of: |
| 59. What is Karma Yoga? |
| 60. What is Bhakti Yoga? |
| 61. What is Jnana Yoga? |
| Upanishads |
| 62. Meaning of ‘Upanishad’ |
| 63. Names of 10 Main Upanishads |
| 64. A few Upanishadic doctrines – 4 Mahavakyas |
| 65. Panchamaya (Pancha kosha) theory |
| Vedas |
| 66. Meaning of ‘Veda’ |
| 67. Names of 4 Vedas |
| 68. Four parts of each Veda, Veda Angas & Upa Vedas |
| Puranas |
| 69. Name of Author |
| 70. Basic understanding of Puranas |
| 71. Names of 18 Puranas |
| 72. Purushartha theory |
| Section 3A Anatomy & Physiology: Medical Science & Yoga |
| A. Anatomy & Physiology as per Medical Science |
| 73. Names of 9 Main Systems and Organs in each system |
| 74. Other Main Organs (e.g. Eyes, Ears, etc.) |
| 75. Main Functions of above |
| 76. Effects of Yoga Practices on the above systems and organs. |
| B. Yogic Anatomy & Physiology as per Yoga |
| 77. Concept of Prana |
| 78. Names and Functions of the Pancha Pranas and Upa Pranas |
| 79. Concept of Nadi & names of Nadis |
| 80. Significance of Ida, Pingala & Sushumna Nadis |
| 81. Ashta Chakras and their Significance |
| 82. Names of Granthis & Chakra awakening |
| 83. Names of Endocrine glands corresponding to Chakras |
| 84. Kundalini & its awakening and practices (e.g. Bandhas, Shaktichalana Mudra, etc.) for same |
| Section 3B Human Psychology as per Yoga |
| Personality theories |
| 85. Deeper understanding personality according to Tri- Gunas |
| 86. The 5 Citta Bhumis & their Guna orientation |
| 87. Understanding of Personality as per Samkhya Darsana: Prakrti (Sthula, Sukshma & Karana Shariras) + Purusa |
| 88. Panchamaya (Panchakosha) theory as already considered in earlier section |
| Concept of Mind |
| 89. Names & functions of elements of Antahkarana in Samkhya: Buddhi, Ahamkar & Manas. |
| 90. Concept of Citta in PYS |
| 91. Distractions / Disturbances of Mind – 9 Antarayas as per PYS, Shad Ripu as per Upanishads (Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada & Matsarya), Samskaras (conditioning) / Vasanas /Klesas, etc. |
| 92. Mind Control Techniques: Yamas, Niyamas, Pranayama, Meditation, Pranavajapa, Ek Tattva abhyasa, Cittaprasadana techniques, Pratipaksha Bhavana, Relaxation Practices (Shavasana, Yoga Nidra, etc.) |
| Life Style Considerations |
| 93. Diet: Mitahar as per HP; |
| 94. Bhagavad Gita: Diet, rest, relaxation, exertion, etc |
| 95. Elaboration of Yogic Life style |
| Introduction to Ayurveda |
| 96. Meaning of ‘Ayurveda’ |
| 97. 3 Doshas |
| 98. Concepts of Health (Swasthya), Mala; Dhatus; etc. |
| Section 4 Teaching of Yoga |
| 99. Teaching Methods (Instruction; Observation; Demonstration; Correction) |
| 100. Teaching Aids |
| 101. Communication Skills |
| 102. Verbal & Non-verbal |
| 103. Ideal Qualities of Teacher |
| 104. Conducive Environment |
| 105. Safety measures |
| 106. Guideline as regards framework of Professional Practice |
Of the 67 Practices, Institutions should cover at least 53 Practices (The score should be greater than 53 for the Practice topics of ACCY) This would mean upto 14 topics may be institution-specific syllabus
| Section 1 SukshmaVyayama / Preparatory Practices / Sandhi Chalana kriya |
| 1. Institution-specific |
| Section 2 Shuddhi Kriyas |
| 2. Dhauti: VamanDhauti; Danda Dhauti; Vastra Dhauti; Agnisaar |
| 3. Neti: Jal Neti; Sutra Neti |
| 4. Tratak |
| 5. Kapalbhati |
| 6. Nauli |
| 7. Theoretical Knowledge as regards Basti |
| Section 3 Asanas |
| Five Meditative Asanas |
| 8. Siddhasana |
| 9. Padmasana |
| 10. Svastikasana |
| 11. Vajrasana |
| 12. Veerasana |
| Seven Standing Asanas |
| 13. Tadasana |
| 14. Ekpadasana |
| 15. Vrikshasana |
| 16. Utkatasana |
| 17. Trikonasana |
| 18. Padahastasana |
| 19. Garudasana |
| Five Kneeling Asanas |
| 20. Ushtrasana |
| 21. Marjarasana |
| 22. Vyahgrasana |
| 23. Shashankhasana |
| 24. Supta vajrasana |
| Eight Sitting Asanas |
| 25. Bhadrasana |
| 26. Simhasana |
| 27. Gaumukhasana |
| 28. Vakrasana |
| 29. Parvatasana |
| 30. Paschimottanasana |
| 31. Matsyendrasana |
| 32. Ardhamatsyendrasana |
| Five Prone Asanas |
| 33. Bhujangasana |
| 34. Shalabhasana |
| 35. Dhanurasana |
| 36. Naukasana |
| 37. Makarasana |
| Seven Supine Asanas |
| 38. Pavanmuktasana |
| 39. Setubandhasana |
| 40. Matsyasana |
| 41. Uthitapadahastasana |
| 42. Halasana |
| 43. Chakrasana |
| 44. Shavasana |
| Two Inverted Asanas |
| 45. Sarvangasana |
| 46. Shirsasana |
| Section 4 Suryanamaskar |
| 47. Suryanamaskar (Traditional with 12 Poses and accompanying 48. Mantras) (Can be School- Specific) |
| Section 5 Pranayama |
| 48. Sectional Breathing |
| 49.Yogic Breathing |
| 50. Nadishodhana |
| Kumbhakas with Bandhas |
| 51. Suryabhedana |
| 52. Ujjayi |
| 53. Shitkari |
| 54. Shitali |
| 55. Bhramari |
| 56. Bhastrika |
| 57. Sagarbha & Agarbha Nadishodhana Pranayama |
| Bandhas |
| 58. Mulabandha |
| 59. Uddiyana Bandha |
| 60. Jalandhar Bandha |
| 61. Jivha Bandha |
| 62. Maha bandha |
| Section 6 Mudras |
| 63. Chin / Jnana Mudra |
| 64. Padma Mudra |
| 65. Agochari Mudra (Nasikagra Drishthi) |
| 66. Shambhavi (Bruhmadhya Drishthi) |
| 67. Viparitakarani |
| 68. Khechari |
| 69. Mahamudra |
| 70. Mahavedha Mudra |
| 71. Ashvini Mudra |
| 72. Yoga Mudra |
| 73. Shanmukhi Mudra |
| 74. Shaktichalana Mudra |
| 75. Brahma Mudra |
| Section 7 Mantras |
| 76. Pranava japa |
| 77. Shanti Mantra: Can be institution-specific |
| Section 8 Meditation |
| 78. Institution-specific |
| Section 9 Teaching Practice |
| 79.Institution-specific |
