Primary/Elementary School Yoga Teacher

> Note: The marks-distribution table lists Unit 2 as "Yoga for Value Education" and Unit 3 as "Yoga for Personality Development"; the detailed syllabus headings below read "Yoga and Value Education" (Unit 2) and "Foundation of Personality" (Unit 3), reproduced verbatim.

UNIT 1: Introduction to Yoga and Yogic Practices

• 1.1Yoga: Meaning, definitions of Yoga
• 1.2Aims, objectives and misconceptions
• 1.3Guiding principles to be followed by Yoga practitioners
• 1.4What is mind? Mindfulness for better concentration
• 1.5Stories from historical characters, saintly personalities from India
• 1.6Stories related to Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga
• 1.7Sadhak badhak tattvas – Conducive and non-conducive qualities/habits (and positive habits) for a disciplined lifestyle
• 1.8Prakriti and Asanas
• 1.9Introduction to Sukshma Vyayama
• 1.10Introduction to Yogasana

UNIT 2: Yoga and Value Education

• 2.1Functional anatomy/regional anatomy – 8 regions of the body
• 2.2Difference between asanas and exercises
• 2.3Human values from Yama of Patanjali Yoga Sutra
• 2.4Moral values from Panchatantra
• 2.5Moral values from Epics, Bhagwad Gita
• 2.6Categories of Asanas (Meditative, Cultural, Dynamic, Static, Abdominal compression and Relaxation)
• 2.7Health and hygiene
• 2.8Trataka and its types
• 2.9Yogic games – Krida Yoga
• 2.10Concentration points (adharas) to increase focus

UNIT 3: Foundation of Personality

• 3.1Yogic attitudes – Maitri, Karuna, Mudita, Upeksha; Social skills for a congenial behavior in society; Conditioning activities, games, music and movement of body parts
• 3.2Concept of bhavas – Dharma, Jnana, Vairagya, Aishvarya
• 3.3Practical on Karma Yoga
• 3.4Nature our teacher – Imitation of birds and animals
• 3.5Guru – Shishya Parampara (through stories of Swami Vivekananda, Shivaji Maharana, and others)
• 3.6Short term goal setting – conducive and non-conducive path to the goal
• 3.7Acceptance to each other's religious thinking and values
• 3.8Introduction to Sthula Vyayama
• 3.9Shodhana kriyas – Neti, Trataka
• 3.10Body-mind connection through introduction to Pranayama

A. Teaching Skills and Attitude

Includes structure of class, and learning process in the psycho-physical and affective domain.

• 4.1Prayer: Concept and recitation of Pranava and hymns.

Pranava japa is recitation of the sacred mantra Om, as outlined in the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali — focusing the mind on the sound of the mantra "Aum," the sacred syllable that both symbolizes and embodies Brahman, the Absolute Reality, as the mantra is constantly repeated in unison with the breath.

• 4.2Simple hand, neck, trunk and leg movements:
• Neck movements
• Eye ball movements
• Arms Rotation
• Finger strengthening
• Shoulder rotation
• Jogging
• Toe walking
• Heel walking
• Animal walks – Frog hopping, Bear walk, Tiger walk, Crow walking, Pigeon walk, Elephant walk, etc.
• Drill walking
• Hand claps
• Donkey kick
• Rowing
• Chakki chalana
• Bhunamana
• Butterfly strokes
• Cycling – forward and backward
• Paschimottana – Halasana stretch
• Nauka chalana

• 4.3Surya Namaskara (Class 3 onwards)

• 4.4Yogasana
• Tadasana
• Vrikshasana
• Garudasana
• Utkatasana
• Dandasana
• Sukhasana
• Padmasana
• Vajrasana
• Swastikasana
• Simhasana
• Ardhapadmasana
• Bhadrasana
• Niralamba Bhujangasana
• Ardhashalabhasana
• Makarasana
• Uttanapadasana
• Pawanamuktasana
• Shavasana
• Breathing with Awareness
• Trataka

• 4.5Preparatory Breathing Practices
• Sectional breathing (abdominal, thoracic and clavicular)
• Yogic deep breathing

• 4.6Pranayama
• Concept of Puraka and Rechaka
• Anuloma Viloma / Nadi Shodhana
• Bhramari (without Kumbhaka)

• 4.7Understanding of Mudra
• Hasta Mudras (Panchamahabhuta mudra – Prithvi, Varuni, Prana, Vaayu, Akasha)

• 4.8Practices leading to Meditation and Dhyana Sadhana
• Recitation of Pranava & Soham
• Recitation of selected hymns, invocations and prayers from Vedas & Upanishads
• Body and breath awareness

B. Demonstration Skills

The correct technique to perform and confidence in demonstrating each practice (which is to be taught in group as well as individually).

C. Knowledge and Attitude

Yogic games, story-telling based on moral values drawn from the Upanishads, dramatics, and mime acts based on the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads.