Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram

YOGA TEACHER
TRAINING
PROGRAMME
(2020-2022)
PROSPECTUS

FOR RESIDENTS OF CHENNAI

 Prospectus

for

YOGA
TEACHER
TRAINING
PROGRAMME
2020-2022
 Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram
Recognised by the Health and Family Welfare Department,
Government of Tamil Nadu
-
ISO 9001:2015 Certified Organisation
-
A Leading Yoga Institute under
Yoga Certification Board,
Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India
-
Member Institution of Indian Yoga Association
-
Recognised as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
(SIRO)
by Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR),
Government of India
-

KYM, Mandaveli | No. 13, 4th Cross Street, RK Nagar, Chennai

600 028
KYM, Kilpauk | No. 25, Thiru Narayanan Avenue, Off New Avadi
Road,
Chennai 600 010
Śrī T Krishnamacharya
Śrī TKV Desikachar
 AN INTRODUCTION
Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM), founded in 1976, by Śrī
TKV Desikachar, son and student of the legendary Yogi T
Krishnamacharya, is a non-profit Public Charitable Trust,
recognised by the Health and Family Welfare Department,
Government of Tamil Nadu. KYM, a multi-department
organisation and an ISO 9001:2015 certified institution, has
established and applies Quality Management System for
providing quality services related to Yoga teaching and Yoga
therapy.

KYM is acclaimed as one of the renowned Yoga institutes,

particularly in the area of Yoga therapy which is its ‘flagship’
department. Over the decades, KYM has come to be well-known
in India and internationally as a reputed centre for Yoga education.

KYM is recognised as a Scientific and Industrial Research

Organisation (SIRO) by the Department of Science and Industrial
Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of
India, New Delhi.

KYM is a founder member of the Indian Yoga Association and is

also one of the institutions given the prestigious recognition of
Leading Yoga Institute given by the Yoga Certification Board
(YCB), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. This teacher
training programme is aligned to the requirements of the Yoga
Certification Board. Graduates from the Yoga Teacher Training
Programme will be equipped with the skills to appear for the YCB
Level I, II and III exams. This programme is also accredited under
Indian Yoga Association’s Advanced Certificate Programme.
 KYM’S TEACHER TRAINING
PROGRAMME
KYM, through its Department of Yoga Studies, has offered
the Yoga Teacher Training Programme (YTTP) since the year
1986. The next batch of the Yoga Teacher Training
Programme (YTTP|2020-22) will commence in December
2020. Keeping in mind the prevailing pandemic situation,
classes will commence online and will resume as direct
classes (in-person at KYM, Mandaveli) depending on the
situation prevailing with regard to safety and public health.

The KYM Yoga Teacher Training Programme (YTTP 2020-22)

will be offered in two batches (morning and evening
batches) as per the schedule mentioned in the Prospectus.

FACULTY
The core faculty of the Yoga Teacher Training Programme are
all teachers trained in the KYM tradition and have been
teaching in various programmes.
 OBJECTIVES OF THE
PROGRAMME
• To provide a thorough understanding of Yoga theory and
practice in the tradition of KYM.

• To provide an opportunity for students to evolve through

personal practice of Yoga, under the guidance of a mentor.

• To provide students with a means for understanding and

working with their own body and mind to enhance overall
functional efficiency and to apply the same principles in
teaching as well.

• This programme will equip students with the tools to be

competent teachers of Yoga and is also a pre-requisite to be
eligible for the Yoga Therapist Training Programme offered by
KYM.

DURATION OF THE
PROGRAMME
This teacher training programme will comprise three
training modules of about 26-28 weeks each, not inclusive of
assessments. This programme will commence in December
2020 and will conclude by July 2022.
This course will be conducted on a part-time basis. The
timings for the classes will be:

Evening Batch
Module Months* Days & Time

I 22nd December 2020 to 29thth June 2021 Tuesdays, Fridays &

Saturdays | 6 PM to 8
II 13th July 2021 to 18th December 2021 PM IST
(Across all modules)
III 4th January 2022 to 9th July 2022

* This schedule is tentative and may be subject to change. This is inclusive of

breaks between modules and summer break.

Morning Batch
Module Months* Days & Time

I 21st December 2020 to 18th June 2021 Mondays & Fridays |

10 AM to 1 PM IST
II 5th July 2021 to 17th December 2021 (Across all modules)

III 3rd January 2022 to 17th June 2022

* This schedule is tentative and may be subject to change. This is inclusive of

breaks between modules and summer break.

ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION

This course is open only to residents of Chennai, with a
degree in any discipline from any recognised University.
Sound physical and mental health status would be deemed
essential to be considered for admission to the programme.
While everyone can practice Yoga for their own health and
well-being, not all will have the interest or the aptitude to
become teachers. This will be assessed during the interview
process. Although there is no upper age limit for candidates
wishing to apply for this course, preference will be given to
younger candidates who desire to learn and take up Yoga at
a professional level. Selection of candidates will be based on
a personal interview. Decision of the selection committee
shall be final.

• Each applicant will have to attend an interview as part of the

screening process.
• Since, on completion, the applicants will become certified Yoga
teachers, applicants should have a reasonable level of fitness, be
mentally and emotionally stable, and must also possess
reasonably good communication skills.
• KYM requires all students to be free from drugs and substance
abuse of any kind.
• KYM does not impose any restrictions to acceptance, based on the
grounds of race, creed, colour, occupation, religious or political
affiliation, age or gender.

COURSE OUTLINE
The syllabus for the KYM Yoga Teacher Training Programme
closely follows the holistic approach to Yoga as taught by Śrī
TKV Desikachar. While students are given significant
training in the techniques and practice of Āsana, Prāṇāyāma
and Dhyānam, there is also the inclusion of other essential
subjects to do with health, medicine and philosophy, so that
the practical exposure is supported by a strong theoretical
foundation, which is essential for the overall evolution of the
trainee into a competent teacher of Yoga. The syllabus is set
by the Board of Studies, comprising senior students of Śrī T
Krishnamacharya and Śrī TKV Desikachar, as well as other
senior academicians. Please visit our website www.kym.org,
to know more about the Board of Studies members.

The course comprises nearly 800 hours of study (of which

about 450 hours will be in the form of lectures and practices
(live online and at the KYM premises). A significant amount
of individual study will also be required. The course content
will include:

• Group lectures
• Practice sessions through classroom study
• Personal Practice
• Paper Presentation & Project Report
• Internship
Group Lectures
The assigned faculty will provide the theoretical inputs on
the core papers, which includes Āsana, Prāṇāyāma, Dhyānam
and Yoga philosophy.

Practice sessions through classroom study

The study includes practice of techniques taught and
interactive sessions in the classroom.

Personal Practice
Mentoring under the guidance of a senior Yoga teacher is a
unique and integral part of this programme. Each student in
the programme will be assigned to a mentor who will
oversee the evolution of the student’s personal practice. A
minimum of 18 direct contact hours (6 per module) with the
mentor across the programme period is mandatory.
Regularity of mentor sessions, the student’s participation in
these sessions, the student’s commitment to following a
daily Yoga practice schedule and the overall development of
the student will form part of the assessment criteria to be
eligible for final certification.

Paper Presentation & Project Report

A key element of the final module of the programme will be
a topic-based paper presentation to be done individually.
The student will also submit a detailed project report on all
group classes observed and taught.
Internship
Internship sessions will start in the second module of
training and will continue till the end of the training period.
Internship includes:

• Observation of group sessions: Each student is required

to observe a minimum 10 group Yoga classes, at the KYM
premises or at classes conducted by KYM elsewhere. In the
event that the KYM is unable to offer opportunities to
observe classes at the KYM premises, observation of online
classes will be organised. This would depend on the
situation prevailing with regard to safety and public
health.

• Supervised teaching sessions: Each student will be

required to complete 10 hours of supervised teaching of
group classes in which he/she will be asked to assist the
main faculty, either at KYM or at KYM projects in other
places. Supervised teaching will be scheduled subject to
the prevailing situation in Chennai, and will also be subject
to classes be conducted at schools or other centres.

• Community welfare Yoga project: Further, each student is

required to take up and complete a community welfare
project in a local school/welfare centre of their choice.
Details will be specified after the commencement of the
programme.
 ATTENDANCE
• Students are expected to attend all lecture/classes
including mentor classes and group practice sessions.
Attendance will be taken every hour when the sessions are
held online and offline as well.

• Attendance of 80% in all the theory and practical classes in

each semester is mandatory. The fulfilment of this
minimum attendance is a pre-requisite to be eligible to
write the Examinations and to continue further with the
course.

• Leave of absence will be granted, within the mandatory

overall attendance of 80%, with prior permission from the
KYM Institute of Yoga Studies.

• Absence due to illness will be considered only on

submission of a Medical Certificate.

• The last few weeks of each module will be devoted to

examinations and assessments. Attendance at ALL mid/
end module exams is mandatory and exam schedule will
be indicated to students at the commencement of each
module of training. In case a student is absent for any end
module exam/assessment, it will be treated as an arrear
and will have to be completed along with the exams/
assessment of the next module, failing which, appear along
with the final module examination.
• In the event that circumstances prevent the conduct of
these exams at the KYM premises, the KYM Institute of
Yoga Studies will hold the necessary exams and
evaluations online. Details will be given as and when
needed.

• The examinations may not be scheduled only on the

regular class dates but on any other days of the week as
well. Students will be given a notice of one month prior to
the commencement of end module exams.

EXAMINATION AND
ASSESSMENT
Students will be continuously assessed during the training
programme period. The evaluation will include both written
and oral examinations.

Internal assessments include evaluation of tests, assignments,

presentations, personal practice and faculty assessment of
students during classroom hours. Group class observation
report, report of supervised teaching, community outreach
project report, record submission, and paper presentation are
also evaluated. The mentor will also provide an evaluation
of his/her mentoree based on the mentor classes taken.

Written examinations will include periodic tests in each

paper. Test dates will be announced during the course.
Written examinations will be held at the end of each module.
The student will have to undergo a comprehensive Viva
Voce at the end of each module. This forms an important part
of the evaluation procedure. Further individualised
assessments with regard to demonstration and teaching of
Āsana-s and other techniques will also be done.

The student has to complete all examinations, assessments

and attendance requirements successfully to be eligible for
certification. Please note that students securing less than 50%
pass marks in any subject will not receive the certification
until they have cleared all arrears, even if it is after the
scheduled Graduation of the batch (50% to be secured in
internal assessment/test/record and 50% to be secured in
end module examinations).

The KYM Institute of Yoga Studies has full liberty to

change or modify the regulations/rules/syllabus, as and
when deemed necessary by the Board of Studies, to
maintain excellence in studies. The decision of the
Institute in all such matters shall be final and binding on
all students. Further, the KYM will strictly comply with the
Government requirements with regard to safety, health
and hygiene.
 CERTIFICATION
Students will be graded continuously based on class performance
and performance in all assessments. Those who do not secure the
necessary minimum grades will be required to take improvement
exams. Improvement examinations will be conducted at the end of
the 2nd module (for papers not cleared in Module 1) and at the end
of the 3rd Module (for papers not cleared in Module 2) just before the
examinations scheduled for the respective modules. In case a student
does not secure the minimum pass percentage in any subject in the
final module, he/she will be given one opportunity to rewrite the
necessary papers before the Graduation ceremony. However, if the
necessary minimum marks are not obtained even then, the student
would have to take that exam along with the subsequent batch and
will not be eligible for certification with the current batch. Please note
that absence for any exam will also be treated as an arrear and the
same rules will apply.

Attendance of 80% in all subjects is mandatory to be eligible for

certification. At the completion of the third semester and after
fulfilment of attendance requirements and all other eligibility criteria
for certification, each successful graduate will be issued a Certificate
from the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram - Chennai.

The certificate will be valid for a period of three years. For re-
certification, the student is required to have completed at least 30
hours of Continuing Education in the three-year period.

Those who appear for and pass the YCB examinations conducted by
the Yoga Certification Board, Government of India will also be
awarded the corresponding certificates from the Yoga Certification
Board, Government of India.
DETAILS OF SUBJECTS & SYLLABUS

Module - I
Paper # Subject Topics Covered

I History and • Origins of Yoga

Evolution of Yoga • Evolution of the Darśana-s and the Yogasūtra
of Patañjali
• Key concepts of Sanātana Dharma such as
Karma, Puruṣārtha and Varna-āśrama Dharma
in relation to the philosophy and practice of
Yoga.
• Contemporary evolution of Yoga in India, the T
Krishnamacharya Tradition, contributions of T
Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar and an
overview of Yogañjalisāram.
II Yoga Philosophy A conceptual overview of the Yogasūtra.
-I
III Theoretical • Definition of Āsana, qualities of an Āsana,
Fundamentals of purpose of Āsana, benefits of Āsana
Āsana
• Relevance of breath in Āsana, understanding
the body-breath-mind link, the technique of
deep breathing in Āsana
• Classification of Āsana-s based on spinal
position, classification of Āsana based on
plane, symmetric and asymmetric Āsana-s,
static and dynamic Āsana-s, Vinyāsa of an
Āsana.
IV Āsana Techniques Classical techniques of 60 Āsana-s with the
Vinyāsa for each and also the diagrammatic
representation of each Vinyāsa.
V Basics of Human An overview of the muscular-skeletal system,
Anatomy and respiratory, digestive, endocrine, reproductive,
Physiology cardio-vascular and central nervous systems.

Practicals Āsana and Group Āsana practice sessions and chanting

Chanting Practice sessions will be offered in each module.
 Module - II
Paper # Subject Topics Covered

VI Yoga Philosophy - II A conceptual overview of the Yogasūtra.

VII Fundamentals of Key concepts of Āyurveda, understanding

Āyurveda Prakṛti and Vikṛti, the Pañcabhūta-s and
wellness, concept and implications of the
Tridoṣa and their interactions, Dhātu, Mala,
Agni, Dinacarya, Ritucarya, three
Upastambhā-s of Āyurveda.
VIII Principles and Definitions of Prāṇāyāma, Prāṇa, Pañca
Practice of Prāṇa, purpose of Prāṇāyāma, benefits of
Prāṇāyāma - I Prāṇāyāma, pre-requisites of Prāṇāyāma,
understanding and working with the
components of breath, techniques of
Prāṇāyāma
IX Āsana Techniques - Why Āsana modifications are necessary,
II: Modifications of modifications based on form and function of
Āsana-s an Āsana, simplifying an Āsana and
intensification of an Āsana.
X Course Planning - I Fundamentals of course planning, identifying
areas of work, preparatory postures and
counter postures for different goal postures,
planning for specific Āsana goals.
Practicals Āsana and Chanting Group Āsana practice sessions and chanting
Practice sessions will be offered in each module
 Module - III
Paper # Subject Topics Covered

XI Yoga Philosophy - III A conceptual overview of the chapters III & IV

of the Yogasūtra.
XII Yoga Philosophy - IV Overview of key concepts from
Yogarahasya, Haṭha-yoga-pradīpikā, Yoga-
yajñavālkya-saṁhita and Bhagavadgītā.
XIII Basics of Psychology • Psychology-Eastern and Western
- Understanding the
• Perspective- Fields-Basic Mental
Mind
• Processes-Attention- Perception-Learning
• Memory
• Emotions- Motivation and Personality
XIV Course Planning - II Planning for multiple goals, planning using
breath ratios, planning for different groups,
planning long-term practices
XV Principles and Planning practices of Prāṇāyāma using
Practice of Deśa, Kāla and Sāṁkhya, an introduction to
Bandhā-s.
Prāṇāyāma - II
XVI Teaching Observing people and designing course
Methodology plans for heterogeneous groups,
methodology involved in teaching common
interest groups and groups for general
fitness.
XVII Principles and Definitions of Dhyānam, key concepts of
Practice of Dhyānam meditation from Bhagavadgītā and T
Krishnamacharya’s Dhyānamālika,
Śubhāśraya, role of the teacher, developing
a meditative practice.
Practicals Āsana and Chanting Group Āsana practice sessions and chanting
Practice sessions will be offered in each module.
 FEE STRUCTURE*
Nature of Payment Payable By Amount

Registration & At the time of Rs. 1,000

Confirmation Fee (Non- admission
Refundable)
Payment for Module - I At the time of Rs. 25,000
admission
Payment for Module - II Before the start of the Rs. 25,000
2nd module
Payment for Module - III Before the start of the Rs. 25,000
3rd module

Final Examination & Before the start of the Rs. 3,000

Certification Fee final examination at the
end of the 3rd module
** The Yoga Teacher Training Programme is accredited under Indian
Yoga Association’s (IYA) Advanced Certificate Programme. Details
regarding IYA & YCB fee, which needs to be paid to the IYA & YCB will
be given later.
 APPLICATION PROCEDURE
• Candidates seeking admission should send their application
in the prescribed application form only.
• Completed applications should be sent along with ‘Letters of
Reference’ from two persons (not related by birth or
marriage) who have known the applicant for at least 2 years.
• The letters of reference must include comments on the
communication skills and suitability of the applicant to take
up and complete the programme.
• Attested photocopies of degree certificates and documents
required, should accompany the application form, duly filled
and signed by the applicant.
• The filled-in application forms should be sent, with
necessary scanned attachments by email to the Director,
KYM Institute of Yoga Studies, at the latest by 5th
December 2020. Applicants will be selected, following an
online interview conducted individually. Interview will be
scheduled as and when applications are received. It is
recommended that filled in applications are submitted well
before the last date, as selection interview will be conducted
only on a first come first served basis and the KYM may have
to close admissions once we reach the batch capacity.
• Candidates will also be assessed for general fitness at the time
of the personal interview
• Applicants selected for admission into the programme will be
intimated via e-mail or directly.
 DATES TO REMEMBER
• Last date for submission of application | 5th December 2020
• Individual Interviews | To be scheduled upon receipt of filled
in applications; timings will be intimated individually
• Classes Start From | 22nd December 2020 for Evening Batch
and 21st December 2020 for Morning Batch

ADDRESS FOR
CORRESPONDENCE
All correspondence should be addressed to:
Director, KYM Institute of Yoga Studies,
Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram,
No. 31, 4th Cross Street, R.K. Nagar,
Mandaveli,
Chennai – 600 028
Phone | (044)-2493-7998 | (044)-2493-3092
Email | [email protected]