YIC Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is YIC?
A. It is Yoga Instructors Certificate Course, put together by SVYASA. To meet the need for trained Yoga teachers, the  research wing of  Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA), has designed and developed this popular need based module YIC.

Q. Who is conducting this course?
A. This course is conducted by Yoga Bharati in association with SVYASA-USA, which has an office in Houston.

Q. Who is this course for and what is its scope?
A. This course is for anyone who wants to become a certified Yoga instructor. Those who want to develop a deeper understanding of Yoga in its holistic and integrated sense can also take up this course. YIC is a pre-requisite for more courses offered by SVYASA, like Yoga Therapy Instructors Course [YTIC], Diploma in Yoga and Naturopathy [DYN] etc.,

Q. What about eligibility? Is prior experience needed?
A. Basic knowledge of Yoga and some practices is needed. Yoga Bharati conducts (free and paid) Yoga classes in many locations in the Bay Area. We highly recommend you to attend these classes to get some basic knowledge of Yoga and practice. This can be done during the YIC course, even though doing it before helps.

Q. What is the duration, timings, overall modalities etc.?
A. The course structure mainly comprises of following parts:

Part 1 - Complete Theory, Examination - approx 30 hours

Part 2 - Practices and Examination - approx 50 hours

Part 3 - Field Experience - approx 30 hours

Part 4 - A report - on Yoga related subject

Q. Where are the field practices to be conducted?
A. Participants of YIC, need to form group among themselves, find out suitable locations for the group and conduct these sessions. Yogabharati can assist in doing this to some extent, for some classes, to expose students to a larger audience.

Q. What are the course fees?
A. Please check the website. Usually course fee can be paid in two parts, one part before theory and another during before practice classes.

Q. Are the course materials provided or do they have to be purchased separately?
A. The course materials are provided, cost of which is included in the fees.

Q. Who are the faculty members and what are their qualifications?
A. Sri. N.V. Raghuram, International co-ordinator of VYASA, Sri. B. S. RamaRao, Chief Instructor, SVYASA Houston, Smt. Meera RamaRao, Chief Instructor, SVYASA Houston and experienced Yoga Bharati volunteers.

Q. Why do I need theory? Isn't Yoga more about practice than theory?
A. The YIC provides a complete approach towards understanding Yoga .It emphasizes on both aspects of Yoga, practice as well as theory. The theory explains the concepts behind the practice, and it deals with Yoga as a whole and not just a specific part. This approach is helpful to the aspiring Yoga instructor in adding to his knowledge base.

Q. Is this course recognized in the U.S?
A. YIC adheres to the standards set by SVYASA, Bangalore. SVYASA is a world-renowned organization and it has wide spread presence in international circles, and several medical journals. Check their website for more details - http://www.svyasa.org

Q. Is the certificate valid in India? If one decides to return to India, can he/she start teaching in any state there?
A. SVYASA is a deemed YOGA UNIVERSITY recognized by the Government of India. They have trained thousands of yoga instructors around the world. Please visit http://www.svyasa.org for more information. It is recognized all over India and the world.

Q. How do I register?
A. Please send an email to detroit@yogabharati.org. Please indicate your interest in the subject line and other details that might be appropriate.