QCI (Yoga) is no more now. Its work is now goverened by Yoga Certification Board (YCB), that has been established by the Ministry of Ayush.
Earlier there used to be working exams for Yoga Certification Level 1 (Yoga Instructor) and Yoga Certification Level 2 (Yoga Teacher). But now, YCB has divided the Yoga Certifications into two categories
(i) Yoga Education & Training
(ii) Yoga Therapy
So, similar to earlier schemes of QCI, Yoga Instructor/Yoga Teacher - Level 1, 2, 3, and 4, the competences has been categorized as from basic yoga protocol to Yoga master, from assistant Yoga therapist to Yoga Therapy Consultant.
Under each category there are many levels of professional certifications. Every level has its own syllabus and recommended books. I have organized the stuff below for your better understanding about the syllabus and marking system.
The following chart will give you glimpse of all categories of yoga certifications:
Levels of Yoga Certifications by Yoga Certification Board
You can see that there are two hierarchies - First hierarchy relates to Yoga Education & Training and other one related to Yoga Therapy.
All the levels under each category has been given privilege of functions:
Yoga Education & Training
- Yoga Protocol Instructor - Yoga Instructors for teaching basics of yoga to teach common yoga protocol developed by the Ministry of Ayush for International Day of Yoga. For classes in parks, societies, for prevention of diseases and promotion of health. You can find the list of books recommended by YCB at this link: https://www.askyogaexpert.org/blog/yoga-protocol-instructor/#Reference_Books_for_Theory_Practicals_Exam
- Yoga Wellness Instructor - Yoga Instructors to teach Yoga for prevention of illness and promotion of wellness in schools, yoga studios, work places, etc. This appears to me similar to the Level 1 Yoga Certification awarded earlier by QCI. You can find the list of books recommended for this exam by YCB at this link: https://www.askyogaexpert.org/blog/yoga-wellness-instructor/#Reference_Books_for_Theory_Practicals_Exam
- Yoga Teachers & Evaluator - Master Trainers in Yoga educational Institutions, Yoga Training Courses and training programs. He or she can also act as Evaluator and assessor of Yoga Professionals. Can teach in studios, Institutions, colleges/ universities/ Institutions of higher Learning. This appears similar to the Level 2 Yoga Professional Certification earlier awarded by QCI. You can find the list of books recommended for this exam by YCB at this link: https://www.askyogaexpert.org/blog/yoga-teacher-and-evaluator/#Reference_Books_for_Theory_Practicals_Exam
- Yoga Master - Shall act as Master Educator / Trainer in Yoga Educational programs & skilled professionals, can teach, evaluate & assess for all levels and will be a guiding force. This appears to be level 3 Yoga Professional Certification earlier awarded by QCI (though this level used to exist, but no examination had been conducted so far). YCB has not recommended any books. But the books recommended for Level 3 (Yoga Teacher & Evaluator) will suffice.
There is no eligibility criteria for open candidates for any of the above certification. Open candidates of any age can apply to any of the above levels. Yes, syllabus and marking schemes differ for each level.
Yoga Therapy
- Assistant Yoga Therapist - Can work under supervision of certified physician or certified Yoga Therapist & Yoga Consultant on specific disorders
- Yoga Therapist - Can work alongwith certified physician or certified Yoga Consultant to give Yoga Therapy on all disorders.
- Therapeutic Yoga Consultant - Can practice Yoga for treatment of diseases in medical set up or independently. He should be a registered medical practitioner in any stream with Yoga Therapy.
You can go through the Information Brochure of YCB at the following link: http://yogacertificationboard.nic.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/YCB-Information-Brochure.pdf
Syllabus and information on the Levels of Yoga Professionals is available at the following link:
http://yogacertificationboard.nic.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Yoga_Booklet.pdf
You will find all sorts of Video Study Material related to Yoga Exams by renowned yoga professors, on Youtube Channel by the Consortium for Educational Communication popularly known as CEC, one of the Inter University Centres set up by the University Grants Commission of India. This will surely help you with yoga knowledge enough to beat all sorts of yoga certification exams.
But no doubt, you will also need to have practical experience of yogasanas, pranayamas, anatomy and physiology that will be crucial in interview / practical exam of both levels of yoga certifications. The first exam will be objective multiple choice questions exam that you will easily qualify - you will need to attain 80% marks to qualify for next phase i.e. interview/ practical exam. We are making Multiple Choice Questions Practice Tests on several topics that can help you assess your knowledge and prepare accordingly.
We have decided to organize a free study group for sake of preparation of UGC NET Yoga Exams / Yoga Certification Board Levels. Register for Free Study Material for YCB / UGC Net Preparation.
We have also prepared many online tests based on different subjects of yoga at https://www.askyogaexpert.org/blog/ugc-net-yoga-mcq-qci-practice-tests/ as well as formed telegram group (https://t.me/yogastudymaterial) where we post many multiple choice questions for learners to assess themselves. Alongwith, we have created some courses for hatha yoga texts and practice tests at https://www.askyogaexpert.org/blog/courses/.
Source: Website of Yoga Certification Board.
