One year yoga experience

One Year Program in Yogic Science

Syllabus

Philosophy and Yogic theory Foundation on Yoga

Unit 1: Foundation

1.1 Concept & Principles

Yoga in Indus Valley Civilization

Definition & significance of Yoga

1.2 Historical Development

Vedas (introduction to the 4 vedas)

Upanishads (essence of)

5 hours

1.3 Yogic texts

Pantanjali Yoga Sutras

The aim of yoga

The necessary practices

Obstacles along the path & their removal

Results that will be obtained from practice

Concept of Ishwara and practice of Ishwarapranidhana

Concept of Samadhi

Memorization & recitation of key slokas

Primary text of Raja yoga or Astanga Yoga

15 hours

Bhagavad Gita

Essentials of the Bagavad Gita

Definition of yoga in Bagavad Gita

Preparation for Dhyana (meditation)

Description of proper sitting posture

Definition of pranayama

Karma Yoga- action as a means of liberation

Bhakti- devotion- its nature, means and goal

Recitation & memorization of key slokas

The Trigunas (modes of material nature)

Paper: 1

Full mark: 50

Pass mark: 20

Lecture hours:75

Three kinds of faith

Food for yoga Sadhaka (=practitioner)

Jnana Yoga- yoga of realized knowledge

30 hours

Classical Hatha Yoga texts

Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Introduction to Hatha Yoga

Relationship of Hatha and Raja Yoga

Greatness of Hatha Yoga

Mitahara, Pathya and Apathya

Importance of Hatha and its secrecy

Place of practice, methods of practice

Hatha Yoga Parampara (disciplinic succession)

Gheranda Samhita

Shiva Samhita

Other texts- overview

20 hours

Yoga & human excellence

Gheranda Samhita

Yogic qualities, obstacles faced and how to transcend

Overcoming the five afflictions (kleshas)

Ignorance, self-centeredness, desire, aversion, fear

Contribution towards character development

Importance of yoga in modern life

Finding inner contentment and peace of mind

Coping with present day materialism

Yoga’s tools and practices for success

5 hours

Total hours: 75

Reference books

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali- Swami Satchitananda (Integral Yoga Publications)

Bhagavad Gita As It Is, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Bhaktivedanta Book Trust)

Gherandha Samhita- Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati (Bihar School of Yoga, Munger)

Hatha Yoga Pradeepika- Swami Satyananda Saraswati & Swami Muktibodhananda Saraswati

(1993), Bihar School of Yoga, Munger

Living the Divine Life- Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati, Yoga Publications Trust, Munger.

Philosophy and Yogic Theory Classical Yoga

Unit 2: Traditional methods

2.1 Hatha Yoga

Concept of sun and moon

Balance of Ida and Pingala

Pancha Kosha (the five bodies)

10 hours

2.2 Mantra Yoga

Yoga of sound, Vedic Chanting

Philosophy and meaning of the sacred syllable Om

10 hours

2.3 Laya Yoga

Awakening of kundalini through yogic chakra practice

5 hours

2.4 Raja Yoga

Definition based on Patanjali yoga sutras

Yama- universal morality- five principles

Niyama- personal observances- five applications

Asana- comfortable meditative posture, preparation for meditation

Pranayama- control of prana (life force)

Dharana- concentration

Dhyana- meditation and its different types and methods

Samadhi- definition and ultimate experience

10 hours

2.5 Kundalini yoga

Definition Nadi, Chakra, Prana

15 hours

2.6 Karma Yoga

Paper: 2

Full mark: 100

Pass mark: 40

Lecture hours:

150

Concept of action done without attachment (selfless service)

5 hours

2.7 Bhakti Yoga

Yoga of devotion as explained in the Bagavad Gita

5 hours

2.8 Jnana Yoga

Self inquiry into the true nature of the self and universe

5 hours

2.9 Tantra Yoga

A system of techniques which brings all different yoga styles together into one

system

Definition and application

25 hours

2.10 Yoga therapy

Yoga in modern psychology

As a cure for depression, anxiety, emotional & mental problems

Stress management- practical methods

Yoga counseling as opposed to psychoanalytical counseling

Yoga for common disease

Yoga counseling as opposed to psychoanalytical counseling

Methods of Yogic counseling as a form of therapy

Application of different yogic practices for healing and prevention

20 hours

2.11 Anatomy & Physiology

Systems of the human body and their roles in yoga practice- skeletal system,

muscular system, digestive system, respiratory system, excretory system, cardio-

vascular system, lymphatic system

Tissues of the body- types, structures and functions of epithelial, connective,

muscular and nervous tissues

Nutrition & metabolism- balanced diet, digestion and energy metabolism

Asanas and their benefits- health effects on each bodily system

20 hours

2.12 Yogic anatomy

Pancha Kosha- the five bodies and how to purify them

Ida, Pingala and Sushumna nadi

Chakras

The nervous system and its direct influence on the pranic flow

20 hours

Reference book

Tantra Yoga- Theory- Yogi Prakash (Shanti Yoga Ashram, Machchhegaun, Nepal)

Tantra Yoga- Practical- Yogi Prakash (Shanti Yoga Ashram, Machchhegaun, Nepal)

Kundalini Tantra- Swami Satyananda Saraswati (Yoga publications Trust, Munger, bihar, India)

Four Chapters on Freedom- Swami Satyananda Saraswati (Yoga Publications Trust, Munger,

Bihar, India)

Raja Yoga- Swami Vivekananda (Delhi, VijayGoel Publisher)

Philosophy and yogic theory Yoga in different traditions

Unit 3

3.1 Yoga in different traditions

Yoga in Buddhism

Buddhist principles and philosophy- popular religious traditions

Brahman tradition

Sraman tradition

Four Buddhist philosophical schools

Vaibhasika doctrine

Sauraika doctrine

Yogacara doctrine

Mothyamika doctrine

Buddhist meditation practices

Sadhara

Mandala concept

Guru yoga

Deity yoga (utpati) origination stage and completion stage (karma samprana

karma)

Four fold means

Four fold means and sixfold yoga

30 hours

Yoga in Jainism

Philosophy and principles

Foundations of Preksha

Teachings of Preksha

5 hours

Yoga in Hinduism

Philosophy and principles

Advaita Vedanta as taught by Sankaracharya (oneness)

Vaisnavism (simultaneously one but different)

Shaivism

Paper: 3 Full mark: 50 Pass mark: 20 Lecture hours: 75

Shaktism

20 hours

3.2 Contribution of yoga masters

Sri Aurobindo, Swami Sivananda Saraswati, Swami Vivekananda

Maharishi Mehesh Yogi, Osho, Swami Rama, Swami Satyananda

5 hours

3.3 Comparative study

Similarities and differences of yoga in different traditions

5 hours

3.4 Eastern philosophy

Sankya Yoga

24 tattwas of creation

Purusha and Prakriti, concept of dualism

Nyaya and Vaisesika

Perception, inference, comparison

Mimanmsa

Difference between vidya, advihya, subject & object

Creation and causation, cause and effect

10 hours

Reference books

HH Dalai Lama- The awakening mind, Bodhicittopoda. Taipei: The corporate Body of Buddha

Educational foundation 1999.

Bajracharya Naresh Man- Buddhism in Nepal (465 B.C. to 1199 A.D.), Delhi: Eastern Book Linkers,

1978

Thera, Piyadassi- The Buddha’s Ancient Path, London: Rider and Co, 1964.

Upadhayaya, Baladev- Buddha Dharma Mimansa. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Vidyabhavan, 1978.

Worship of god as mother- Mysticism of Devi Mahatmya- Swami Jyotirmayananda. Yoga

Research Foundation.

Transcendental Meditation- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Yoga Anatomy- 2nd edition paperback. Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews

Autobiography of Yogi by Paramhamsa Yogananda (self realization fellowship)

Essentials of Buddhism

Course objectives

The objective of this course is to include comprehensive knowledge about Buddhism,

concerning basic Buddhist teachings and philosophy, practices, literature and other

fundamental issues explained in canonical and sub-canonical Buddhist literature that are

relevant to present contemporary societies.

Unit 1: Introduction

Buddhist historical development

The three valued components of Buddhism: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha

Traditional Buddhist ways, schools and paths

Buddhist traditions in Nepal; chief features of Nepalese Buddhism

12 hours

Unit 2: The buddha

Life of the Buddha, highlighting Lumbini as the birthplace

Buddha as the teacher

Buddha as the philosopher

Buddha as the spiritual master

10 hours

Unit 3: The Dhamma/Dharma: Buddhist principles and teachings

The basic problem of life and the four noble truths in Buddhism

Theory of dependent origination

Impermanence as a basic fact of existence

The concept of Dukkha (suffering) in Buddhism

The theory of selflessness

15 hours

Unit 4: Sangha, Buddhist society and laity

Monastic and monasticism:

Monasteries and Sangha activities

Monasticism in Nepalese context

Buddhist lay followers and their activities

Buddhist expressions in monastic and cultural art

12 hours

Unit 5: Buddhist practices

Ethical bases- concept of karma and rebirth

Practice of generosity, morality (precepts), patience

Fulfillment of duties of householders (Grihi Vinaya)

Criteria of ethical judgment in Buddhism

Paper: 4 Full mark: 50 Pass mark: 20 Lecture hours: 75

Buddhist meditation

10 hours

Unit 6: altruistic attitude in Buddhism

Loving kindness, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity

Bodhisattva idealism and awakened mind

4 hours

Unit 7: Buddhist literature

Buddhist councils in the promulgation of Buddhist canons

Introduction to the Buddhist Pali literature

Introduction to the Buddhist Sanskrit literature; Buddhist Sanskrit literary storage

in Nepal

Translated Buddhist literatures (Kanjur, Tanjur etc.)

8 hours

Unit 8: Man and society in Buddhist perspective

2 hours

Unit 9: Buddhism in 21st century with special reference to world peace

2 hours

Book references

Bajracharya, Naresh Man- Buddhism in Nepal (465 B.C. to 1199 A.D.), Delhi: Eastern Book

Linkers, 1978.

Bapat, P.V. 2500 years of Buddhism, 5th edition. Delhi: publication Division, Ministry of

information and broadcasting, government of India, 1987

Dayal, Har – The Bodhisattva Doctrine in Buddhist Sanskrit literature. New Delhi: Motilal

Banarasidas, 1931.

Guenther, H.V. Jewel Ornament of Liberation of Gampopa. London: Rider and Co. 1974

HH Dalai Lama- The awakening mind, Bodhicittopoda. Taipei: The corporate Body of Buddha

Educational foundation 1999.

Mitra, Rajendralal. Sanskrit Buddhist literature of Nepal. Calcutta: Sanskrit Pustak Bhandar. 1971.

Santina, Peter de la. The Tree of enlightenment. Taiwan: Chico Dharma Study Foundation, 1997.

Thera, Piyadassi. The Buddha’s Ancient Path. London: Rider and Co, 1964.

Upadhayaya, Baladev. Buddha Dharma Mimansa. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Vidyabhavan. 1978.

Wright, D. History of Nepal. Translated from the Parbatiya by Munshi Sheva Shankar Singha and

Pandit. Kathmandu: Ratna Pustak Bhandar, 1970.

Research Methodology

Course Objectives

Overall objective of the research methodology is to make the student capable to

perform in depth research and write research papers. Specific objectives of the subject

are to enable students:

To prepare a research proposal, conduct a research and prepare a research paper

as prescribed by university

To pursue research independently

To understand techniques and art in social science research relating to Yogic

Science Studies

To create an own new vision on subjects with respect to Yogic Science Studies

To identify and answer the research questions/problems

Unit 1: introductory background

Concept and importance of research

Types of research:

Descriptive and analytical

Quantitative and qualitative

Historical and survey methods

10 hours

Unit 2: sources and types of information

Types of evidence in Yogic Science Studies

Nature of information:

Original, primary, secondary

Collection of information

Observation, interview, questionnaire

20 hours

Unit 3: manuscriptology and Yogic Science Studies

Concept of manuscript

Types of manuscript

Production and preservation

Sanskrit and Pali manuscript in South Asia

Textual criticism in Yogic manuscripts

20 hours

Unit 4: practical aspect of research methodology

Selection of topics

Statement/identification of research problem

Scope, limitation and rationality of the topic

Review of literature

Paper: 5 Full mark: 50 Pass mark: 20 Lecture hours: 75

Citation, footnote and bibliography

Preparation of research paper

Presentation (graphical, tabulation, charts, figures, photographs etc.)

20 hours

Unit 5 : Research proposal- research paper

Students are required to submit a research paper under the guidance of

supervisor/professor/lecturer as a part of internal examination

5 hours

Book references

Baker, Therese L. Doing Social Research. London: McGrow Hill, 1999

Young Poulin V. Scientific Social Survey and Research. New Delhi: Prentice Hall, 2006

Turabian, Kale L. A Manual for Writers of Term Paper, Thesis and Dissertation. Chicago

University, 2007

Wolff, Howard K. & Prem R. Pant. A Handbook for Social Science Research and Thesis Writing

Katrem S.M. Introduction to Indian Textual Criticism, Deccan College Handbook Series 5, Poona,

1954

Murthy R.S.S. Introduction to Manuscriptology. New Delhi: Sharada Publication House, 1996

Sarma, K.V. Manuscriptology and Textual Criticism in Medieval India.

Bhattacharya, Narendra Nath. History of Research on Indian Buddhism. New Delhi: Munshiram

Manoharlal Publishers, 1981

Cryer, Pat. The research students guide to success. New Delhi: Viva Books, 1991

Hanayama, Shinsho. Bibliography of Buddhism. New Delhi: Akshaya Prakashan, 2005

Practical 1: Classical Yogic Practices

Unit 6: Classical Yoga Practices

6.1 Shatkarmas

Detoxification, cleansing

Therapeutic value, health benefits

How to perform- actual practice

Neti, Dhauti, Basti, Trataka, Kapalbhati, Nauli

10 hours

6.2 asana

Joint series

Dynamic spinal series

Abdominal series

Backward bending series

Standing asanas (including Surya Namaskara)

Fundamental asanas

Intermediate backward bending

Forward bending

Inverted asanas

50 hours

6.3 Pranayama

Vitalizing Pranayama

Swana, Kapalbhati, Bhastrika

Balancing Pranayama

Nadi Sodhana, Analom Vilom

Tranquilizing Pranayama

Sheetali, Sheetkari, Ujjayi, Bramari, Moorcha, Chandra Bhadi

40 hours

6.4 Mudra

Hasta Mudra

Hand Mudras

Gyana, chin, Bhairav, Bhairavi, Yoni, Pancha prana, Nasika

Paper: 6 Full mark: 100 Pass mark: 40 Lecture hours: 150

Mana Mudra

Head Mudras

Khechari, Sambhavi, Agochari, Shanmukhi, Unmani

Adhara Mudra

Perineal contraction

Ashwini, Vajoli, Sahajoli

Kaya Mudra

Whole body Mudra

Vipareeti Karani

10 hours

6.5 Bandha

Jalandhara Bandha- chin lock

Uddiyana Bandha- abdominal lock

Moola Bandha- root lock

Maha Bandha- great lock

5 hours

6.6 Pratyahara

SoHam/Ajapa Japa

Different stages

Mantra Japa

Antar mouna

Yoga Nidra

Sankalpa, rotation of awareness, visualization

Activation of parasympathetic nervous system

Relief of deep seated stress and emotions

10 hours

6.7 Kirtan (chanting)

Harmonium- how to perform kirtan/mantra with harmonium

Yoga chants for peace- Shanti Path, Mrithunjaya Mantra, Gayatri Mantra etc.

10 hours

6.8 Sanskrit

Alphabet and pronunciation- group practice

Names of asanas- used during class

Important slokas from yogic texts- recitation

5 hours

6.9 Dharana & Dhyana

Meditation- integrated in asanas and as a practice on its own

Antar Trataka- concept and practice

Chakra Dharana- concept and practice

Hirdayakash Dharana- concept and practice

10 hours

Book references

Tantra Yoga- Practical- Yogi Prakash (Shanti Yoga Ashram, Machchhegaun, Nepal)

Asana, Pranayama, Mudra Bandha- Swami Satyananda Saraswati (Bihar School of Yoga, Munger)

Light on Yoga- B.K.S. Iyengar

Yoga for Common disease- Swami Satyananda (Bihar School of Yoga, Munger)

Practical 2: Yoga practice in different traditions

Unit 7

7.1 Buddhist yoga practices

Buddhist meditation & practice

General

Samatha

Vipassana

Specific

Sadhana

Mandala concept

Deity yoga (Utpati)

Origination stage and completion stage (Krama and Samprana Krama)

Fourfold means (Kriya, Carpa, Yoga, Anuttara Yoga)

30 hours

7.2 Jain Yoga practices

Samataa Yoga- concept and practice

Bhaavanaa Yoga- concept and practice

Kaayatsarga- concept and practice

Yoga asana- concept and practice

Pranayama- concept and practice

Prana and Bandha- Prekshyaa Dhyaan

5 hours

7.3 Therapeutic Yoga

Psychosomatic disorders

Mind and body connection

Concept and practice

Yoga for arthritis

Joint series

Concept and practice

Practice

Paper: 7 Full mark: 100 Pass mark: 40 Lecture hours: 150

Relaxation asanas, lengthening the spine

Concept and practice

Yoga for weight loss

Sarvangasana, Matsyaasana

Concept and practice

Yoga for common cold/respiratory problems

Yoga for the elderly

Concept and practice

Pranayama, opening chest

Concept and practice

Yoga for the elderly

Chair yoga, gentle poses

Concept and practice

Yoga for regulation of all bodily symptoms

Surya Namaskara

Concept and practice

10 hours

7.4 Teaching methodology

The structure of a class- class breakdown

How to use and find your voice- developing teaching style

How to develop a class for different levels- yoga for different stages of life

How to transmit the essence of yoga- beyond ego, connected to the higher

energy

How to give proper lectures for different audiences

30 hours

7.5 Application of Yogic concepts

Yama and Niyama- practical application

Working with the three Gunas- transcendence

Power of positive thinking- replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts

Concentration exercises- for enhanced focus and success

Stress management- Yogic techniques (pranayama, relaxation etc.)

5 hours

7.6 Yoga & Holistic health

Principles of Ayurveda

Daily routine, seasonal routine- Dinacharya, Ritucharya

Tri Dosha and how to balance- Vata, Pitta and Kapha

The tree vital essences- Prana, Tejas and Ojas

How to build digestive fire to decrease toxicity- Agni vs. Ama

Best foods for yoga practice

Principles of Natropathy

Physical and mental hygiene- cleanliness and vital energy

Natural rejuvenation- circardian rhythms

Vegetarian vs. non-vegetarian diet- effect on the body and mind

15 hours

7.7 Tantra Yoga

Evolution of Yoga from the gross to subtle level Hatha, Raja, Mantra, Laya, Shiva-

Shakti

Expansion of energy to free oneself of the bondage of the mind

Mantra, Yantra and Tantra- field work

35 hours

Book references

Yoga and Ayurveda- Dr. David Frawley

Ayurveda- The science of self healing by dr. Vasant Lad

Perfect health: The Complete Mind/Body Guide, Revised and Updated Edition Paperback. Dr.

M.D. Deepak Chopra.