Career in Yoga: Courses, Job Roles, Scope & Salary in India

Interested in Yoga but not sure where to start, looking for information about career opportunities in this field like how to become a Yoga teacher or a certified Yoga Instructor.

In this article, we will discuss about career in Yoga, Job Opportunities, Courses and Salary details. But before we begin, let’s understand about what is Yoga.

The Yoga word has been derived from the Sanskrit word “yuj” which means “to join or unite” the spirit and the physical body together.

In simple words, Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that teaches a person to experience inner peace by controlling their mind and body.

The Yoga has come into existence around in 5^th or 6^th BCE, in ancient India’s ascetic and śramaṇa movements. In the year 1893 swami vivekananda introduced the yoga and Indian philosophy at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Unites States.

In the mid 20th century Yoga started gaining popularity in the Europe and America as a spiritual practice combined with overall health & wellness.

Benefits of Yoga

• Increase your flexibility.
• It helps to build muscle strength.
• Prevents from cartilage and joint breakdown
• Maintains healthy lifestyle.
• Gives you peace of mind.
• Increase concentration.
• Relief from stress.
• Gaining more control over emotions.

At present, yoga has a significant positive impact on our lives and is in high demand due to today’s fast-paced lifestyle. As a result, many students are now looking to build a career in this field

Yoga not only helps you physically but also heals ones mentally. Basically it is a group of physical, mental & spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India.

Professionals, those shares their knowledge of the science of meditation & yoga are called as Yoga Teachers or Yogis.

There is a great career scope of yoga not in India but also in abroad. Yoga is an ancient art & natural ways to keep our body fit & healthy. Yoga not only helps physically, but in improving mental health.

The integral part of Yoga is practiced physical exercises which called Asanas & breathing exercises which called Pranayam.

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Yoga Courses in India

What are the courses to pursue in this field?

India, being the birthplace of Yoga, offers a wide range of certified courses. These include from short-term certifications to Ph.D. level research. These courses are offered by:

• Universities
• Government Bodies
• Private Institutions
• Online Platforms

There are many courses available in this field by which students can choose to make their career in this field. Some of the most sought courses are:

Certificate Courses

The certificate courses are the entry level courses with a duration of 2-4 months. The certificate courses are offered by various online platform, yoga schools and NGO’s.

• 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT)
• 300-Hour Advanced YTT
• Certificate in Yoga and Naturopathy
• Foundation Course in Yoga Science for Wellness
• Certificate in Pre-Natal and Post-Natal Yoga

Diploma Courses

The Diploma courses in Yoga is offered by many Yoga schools or universities. The duration of diploma program is 6 months to 1 year.

Candidates can pursue UG diploma after 12th and PG diploma after completing a bachelor degree.

• Diploma in Yoga
• Diploma in Yoga and Naturopathy
• PG Diploma in Yoga
• Advanced Diploma in Yoga

Bachelor Courses

The bachelor’s courses in Yoga are the graduate degree program offered by various colleges and universities. The duration of the program is generally 3 years.

• BA in Yoga
• B.Sc in Yoga
• Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences (BNYS)

Master’s Courses

The postgraduate programs in Yoga are designed for those who want to gain advanced knowledge in yogic science, therapy, research, and teaching.

• M.Sc in Yoga
• MA in Yoga

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Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for pursuing various courses in Yoga is given below:

Certificate Courses

Candidates must have 10th or 12th class.

Diploma Programs

12th passed in any stream from a recognized board of school education.

UG Programs

• For BA in Yoga, passed 10+2 or an equivalent exam with a minimum of 45 to 50% of marks.
• For B.Sc, 10+2 passed with a science stream with atleast 45 to 50% of marks (varies with university).

Skills Required

Apart from the academic qualifications, it is also necessary that you have some of the following skills which include:

• Good Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Skills to motivate others to believe in yoga
• Strong Determination
• Have a will power to practice the most difficult “asanas” or yogic positions

On a professional level, you can usually specialize in any one of the following domains:

• Yoga exercises for physical fitness
• Spiritual yoga
• Yoga therapy
• Yoga especially designed for kids
• Yoga designed to benefit of seniors
• Yoga for the couples
• Corporate yoga
• Prenatal and/or postnatal yoga
• Private lessons of yoga
• Retreats or workshops

Admission Process

The admission in undergraduate and postgraduate program of Yoga is based on entrance exams conducted at national level.

In diploma and certification program, candidates can directly apply to the to the respective institutes offering the course without the need of an entrance exams.

The popular entrance examination for admission in UG and PG courses are CUET 2025 and CUET PG 2025.

Top Yoga Colleges in India

Best colleges to pursue yoga courses are:

• Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), New Delhi
• S-VYASA (Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana), Bengaluru
• Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute, Lonavala, Maharashtra
• Gujarat Ayurved University – Institute of Yoga, Jamnagar
• University of Patanjali, Haridwar
• Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar
• Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
• TNPESU (Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University), Chennai
• Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) – Distance Yoga Programs
• Uttarakhand Sanskrit University, Haridwar
• DY Patil University, Pune & Mumbai campuses
• Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Punjab
• Jain University, Bengaluru
• SVYASA Yoga University – Prashanti Kutiram

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Career Scope

As more people around the world recognize the benefits of yoga, career opportunities in this field are expanding both in India and abroad. After completing yoga courses, professionals can find employment in health clubs, yoga and Pilates studios, special needs centers, private gyms, and even provide personalized sessions at clients’ homes.

“After became a yoga instructor, you can work  as a Yoga Instructor, a teacher or can be self-employed by running your own yoga school.”

For the Yoga Professionals, there are several job options available both in the government & private sectors. You can also self-employed by opening your own yoga center.

Yoga also opens various jobs in the given field such as research, management, hospital, academic, administrative, consultation, etc. The government has made it compulsory to have a Yoga teacher in every school.

Some job titles are:

• Yoga Instructor
• Yoga Therapist
• Yoga Advisor
• Yoga Specialist
• Yoga Practitioner
• Yoga Teacher
• Research Officer- Yoga and Naturopathy
• Yoga Aerobic Instructor
• Yoga Consultant
• Publication Officer (Yoga)
• Yoga Manager

Top Recruiters

• Government & Private Schools
• Yoga and Naturopathy colleges or institutions
• ESIC General Hospital Naroda Ahmedabad
• Hyatt Hotels Corporation
• Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy
• Centre Research Centers
• Resorts

Duties of a Yoga Instructor

• Design courses & lesson plans.
• Analyze the fitness level & requirements of all participants.
• Demonstrate and perform all yoga exercises to participants.
• Design safe and comprehensive yoga programs for various participants.
• Monitor participant performance and recommend different yoga exercise.

Some benefits of Yoga are:

• Yoga helps back pain
• Yoga relaxes one to sleep better
• Yoga improves stress, balance, flexibility
• Yoga can ease arthritis symptoms
• Yoga helps you manage stress
• Yoga can help you loose weight
• Yoga helps you mentally

Salary

“Salary packages are excellent in this field.”

In India, the average starting salary of a Yoga Instructor is between INR 3 to 5 lakhs per annum. Candidates having 5-8 years of experience, earn in the range between INR 6 to 10 LPA.

As the Yoga professionals are very high in demand in abroad. Candidates having good experience can build a rewarding career globally. The salary of Yoga Instructor in countries like USA, UK, Australia & Germany can range between $50 to 80 thousand.

As a reputed instructor in this field with masters or Ph.D degree in Yoga, candidates can earn in the range INR 8 to 12 lakhs per annum.

Books & Study Materials

Searching for good books of yoga?………….. Here are some books which you can use to study yoga:

The Wisdom of Yoga: A Seeker’s Guide to Extraordinary Living by Stephen Cope

Yoga: The Greater Tradition by David Frawley

Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar

The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice by T.K.V. Desikachar

Yoga as Medicine by Timothy McCall

Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff

Yoga Sequencing: Designing Transformative Yoga Classes by Mark Stephens

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