Yoga Courses
Yoga Pravesika
The Madras Sanskrit College is launching 'Yoga Pravesika', an introductory course on Yoga. on its e-Learning platform. This course will help beginners or people unfamiliar with Yoga to get a better understanding of the origins, key texts and key concepts. There has been a tremendous growth in the last decade in the number of yoga practitioners across the globe. Millions of people have reaped the benefits from practicing yoga with 'asanas' or physical postures being a predominant focus of their learning. However, there are many myths and misconceptions surrounding yoga today. The most popular belief about yoga is that it is a physical or fitness activity and often involves contorting the body into different shapes. The reality is that yoga is more about the refinement of the mind than the body. If one searches on Google for "Online yoga course", there are a plethora of yoga courses available on the internet. This course should stand apart from others based on the approach taken to explain concepts in a simple easy to understand manner and emphasizing the breath-movement linkage in practical lessons. Yoga Praveshika has been designed by Aravind Rajagopalan and Shyam Raman who have learnt Yoga in Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM) in the tradition established by Sri T Krishnamacharya and Sri. TKV Desikachar. As part of this course, students will explore the evolution of Yoga within the structure of ancient Indian scriptures and the six main ancient Indian philosophies (Darshanas). The course also seeks to dispel myths or incorrect perceptions about the practice of Yoga. The key philosophical concepts are explained using Patanjali's Yoga Sutras which is the foundational text for Yoga. The corresponding sutra is chanted in Sanskrit followed by an explanation of the word meanings or 'padaartha'. Finally, an elaboration on the contextual meaning and link to the underlying concept is explained. At the end of each chapter, students are taught a new yoga asana (posture) with the correct use of breath along with guidelines to keep in mind while practicing the postures. Students are encouraged to relax and work at their own pace in a safe environment. At the end of this course students will be able to:
1) understand the true import of Yoga and key concepts related to it;
2) learn key sutras from the Yoga Sutra text and understand their meaning;
3) learn 8 Yoga Asanas and one Pranayama technique. However the larger intent is to whet the appetite of students for doing a deeper study of yoga and enrich their asana practice. This course will be followed up with a series of advanced courses to help the practitioner to develop his expertise in the field.
Who can take this course?
Recommended Background: There is no age limit to take the course. Anyone with reasonable health can take the course. People with heart ailments, diabetes, high blood pressure or other serious ailments should check with your doctor before you do the asanas described in this course.
What is the format of the Course?
The course is delivered through a structured set of 9 lecture videos, which run usually between ten to twenty minutes each. There are three quizzes one each at the end of lessons 3, 6 and 9 The course will take eight to ten weeks to complete.
What are the technical requirements for taking part in this Course?
Being an on-line course, you need a computer / mobile / tablet device with internet connection that enables you to watch the video lectures and download study materials as applicable.
Do I need to take all the modules?
Yes. Course completion calls for covering the entire syllabus prescribed. There will be no final exam but certificate of completion from the College will be provided.
Should I attempt all the quizzes?
As you know, to learn anything well, one needs to not only learn well, but also be able to appreciate the nuances of the subject, which is based on recalling what is learned. Quizzes help one recall the learned aspects and revise well. Needless to say that the more quizzes one attempts, the preparation would be better.
Is there any Final exam and certificate for this course?
No. There is no final exam for this course but course completion certificate will be provided.
Can I join late, (i.e.) after the program has started?
We operate on a batch system. You can join the course at any time. The first lesson of each batch will be released on the first of the month. After that, the user can proceed at his/her own pace. When one lesson is finished the student has to ask for the next lesson to be released when he/she is ready.
What are the different methods by which I can pay for my course?
Credit and debit cards are acceptable modes of payment. Alternatively, you can use internet banking through Pay TM if you are an Indian resident or through PayPal if you are paying from any country outside India.
How do I ensure hassle-free online learning?
For hassle-free online learning experience remember to clear cache in your computer/phone/tablet devices. Keeping the device clean averts errors during its online usage. We recommend Google Chrome or Micrsoft Edge for this program for good learning experience. In both the browsers the cache can be cleaned by opening 'Settings' and searching for 'Clear browsing data'.
How long is my course valid?
The course is valid for one year from the date of your joining the course. Within that period you are expected to complete studying the lessons and take the final exam also. However, in some courses there may not be a final exam, in which case you will have to complete all the lessons and quizzes within one year.
