Online Master of Science (Yoga)

VaYU has a unique curriculum for the Master of Science (Yoga) delivered in four semesters.

Cohort-based program

Students admitted to a term follow the course of study together throughout the 4-Semester program. The courses offered for each semester are fixed.

30 Credits in total
10 courses (24 credits) plus a Masters Research Project (6 credits)
Mandatory Personal Contact Program (PCP)
PCP is a hands-on training program offered in first and third semester.

Locations for PCP

PCP is routinely at our main campus in Los Angeles (Norwalk City), CA, USA.
Also, optionally at VaYU certified satellite campuses across USA and Asia (subject to sign-up by a minimum of 6 students).
Students may need a visa if they wish to take PCP outside of their country.

Four semester, 30 Credits

Detailed Course Catalog

VaYU has a unique online curriculum for the Online Master of Science (Yoga) program delivered in four semesters (30 credits). Program duration is 21 months. Admitted students follow a cohort-based program, i.e., the same course of study throughout their four semesters, consisting of 10 online courses (totaling 24 credits), and, an online research project of 6 credits or equivalent 2 additional courses, for a total of 30 credits (see course path).

Students can choose one of the following optional tracks to specialize in Yoga Therapy, Yoga Research, and Yoga Philosophy. While Yoga Research Track needs a 6 credit thesis, Students specializing in Yoga Therapy or Yoga Philosophy can substitute course work for part or all of the research project.

A mandatory Personal Contact Program (PCP) in the first and third semester is the highlight of the program with face-to-face hands-on training. PCP is a physical gathering of students to obtain deeper training on certain aspects of Yoga in Asanas (physical postures), Kriyas (purification techniques), Mudras (hand gestures), Bandhas (locks), and Pranayama (control of vital energy through breathing), and Meditation.

PCP is usually offered at the main campus in Los Angeles, USA, but might be offered across VaYU satellite campuses across the US, Asia (China, Japan, Singapore, and Bengaluru, India) depending on student demand and faculty availability. PCP locations are announced early during the semesters it is required.

Program Highlights

Four Semesters, 21-months, 30 Credits
Online MS (Yoga) Program Highlights
10 Core Courses
Specialization in one of the streams below in 4th Semester
- Yoga Therapy (2 additional courses),
- Yoga Research (Semester-long Research Project),
- Yoga Philosophy (2 additional courses or Project),
175 hours of Practical Lab Training; and,
Personal Contact Program (PCP) in the first and third semester in residency, or, online during COVID times.

Course Number Nomenclature

Courses are numbered as follows:

One letter, Y for Yoga
Two letters, MS for Master of Science
One digit for Semester Number (such as 1, 2, 3, or 4)
Two digit Course Number (such as 01, 02, 03, etc.)
One letter course type. T for Theory, P for Practice (or a PCP Component)

For example: YMS 302P is an Yoga MS 3rd semester course number 02 with a Practice or PCP component.

Course Path

Course Path for Master of Science (Yoga) with prerequisite courses represented.

Numbers represent ‘Course Credit Hours.’ (PDF format)

Courses for Semester 1

YMS 101T: Basis of Yoga Therapy [2:0 Credits]

Basis of yoga therapy explores the therapeutic basis of yoga through the study of ancient (The Upanishads, The Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Vasishtha), Hatha Yoga writings from the middle ages (Gheranda Samhita and Hatha Yoga Pradipika), and in other systems of Indian Medicine.

This course is waived for (a) RYT 300/500 certificate holders with VaYU Bridge Course YBC 101P, or (b) SVYASA certified YIC holders.

Prerequisites: None

YMS 102T: Samskritam [2:0 Credits]

This course provides a working knowledge of Samskritam through both a formal study of the grammar, but also through the study of classic passages from both scriptural and poetic writings. The goal is to enable the student study, understand, comprehend, write and utilize the knowledge contained in Indian traditional texts in their professional practice, especially in the field of Yoga.

Prerequisites: None

YMS 103T: Ancient Yoga Texts – 1 [2:0 Credits]

YMS 104P: Preparatory Practices, Asanas, Kriyas, Mudras, Pranayama and Meditation [0:3 Credits]

We will study preparatory practices (breathing and loosening exercises); the five classes of yoga postures (known as asanas) – standing, sitting, prone, supine, and inverted; the six purification techniques – neti, nauli, dhauti, bhasti, trataka and kapalabhati; the five classic mudras – chin, Chinmaya, adi, brahma, and nasika; and the eight core breathing techniques (known as pranayama) – kapalabhati, vibhagiya svasana, Chandra and Surya anuloma-viloma, Nadi shuddhi, and bhramari; and OM meditation. PCP of 28 hours conducted during Week 13 on VAYU campus.

This course is waived for (a) C-IAYT holders with VaYU Bridge Course YBC 102P, or (b) SVYASA YTIC holders.

Prerequisites: None

Courses for Semester 2

YMS 201T: Yoga Therapy For Common Ailments-I [2:0 Credits]

The goal of this course is to give the student basic medical knowledge of the disease and it’s yogic Management to facilitate comprehension of the physiological basis of health and disease. We study the aadhi/vyadhi concept of disease, and the physiology of psycho-somatic ailments. In this course, we focus on the following disorders: Respiratory, cardio-vascular, endocrinal/metabolic, and excretory systems.

Prerequisites: YMS 101T, YMS 104P | Corequisites: YMS 202T

YMS 202T: Yoga Therapy for Common Ailments-II [2:0 Credits]

YMS 203T: Research Methodology and Biostatistical Analysis [3:0 Credits]

The primary goals of this research methodology course are to familiarize students with basic theoretical concepts of scientific research, train them to analyze their data, and enable them to write their synopsis, dissertation and scientific articles. This training will impart basic skills required to do scientific research and motivate students to pursue higher research.

Prerequisites: High-school algebra and calculus

Courses for Semester 3

YMS 301T: Ancient Yoga Texts -2 [2:0 Credits]

This course covers yogic writings appearing in post-vedic Indian scriptural corpus, specifically the Yoga Sutras and medieval Hatha Yogic texts. We will study the writings both for their content and in their historical context. Special emphasis is placed on ashtanga yoga, kriya yoga, the theory of klesha, yogasana, bandha, shat-kriya, and pranayama.

Prerequisites: YMS 102T

YMS 302P: Advanced Yoga Techniques [2:1 Credits]

This course explores the practical yogic techniques that apply to each of the pancha-kosha (5 sheaths) of our human form. Using these techniques, the student will be able to integrate and harmonize their subtle forms of manifestation with the physical form, thereby achieving health and healing. PCP of 8 hours conducted during Week 13 on VAYU campus.

Prerequisites: All YMS 201T, YMS 202T | Corequisites: YMS 303P

YMS 303P: Yoga Therapy Techniques [2:1 Credits]

Courses for Semester 4 - specialization tracks

YMS 401T: Masters Research Project [6:0 Credits]

YOGA RESEARCH TRACK

A thesis or dissertation constitutes an important contribution to scholarship. A student should, in consultation with their academic advisor, choose a topic in one of the following areas: Yoga and Spirituality, Ancient Yogic Texts, or Yoga Therapy. The thesis topic is chosen in such a way as to demonstrate the graduate student’s ability to carry out independent investigation and to present the results in a clear and systematic form. While the length of thesis submission vary, it should be roughly 4000 – 7000 words.

Prerequisites: All 10 Core Courses (1xx, 2xx, 3xx)

YMS 402T: Independent Study [1, 2, or 3 Credits]

YMS 403P: Yoga for Prenatal and Postnatal Care [2:1 Credits]

YOGA THERAPY TRACK

Yoga for Prenatal and Postnatal care helps yoga teachers to focus and master the fundamentals of yoga techniques best suited for every stage of pregnancy and postnatal phase. The objective of this course is to qualify yoga teachers in handling pregnant women or new mothers and cater to their physical body changes, emotional health through evidence-based yoga techniques. In the training program, we concentrate on yoga’s therapeutic applications along with its principles to achieve holistic health.

For each condition, students go through the changes in the physical body as well as psychological changes followed by evidenced-based yoga practices to cater to those changes. The classes would include theory sessions as well practical sessions.

Prerequisites: All 10 Core Courses (1xx, 2xx, 3xx)

YMS 404P: Basic Clinical Yoga Therapy [2:1 Credits]

YOGA THERAPY TRACK

Yoga Therapy has provided significant benefits for several chronic health conditions. In this course, through evidence-based studies and asynchronous lecture presentations, clinician and basic scientist faculty will

Review the anatomy of body systems and basic pathophysiology of cardiovascular, metabolic and mental health disorders
Analyze the use of Yoga Therapy in supportive management of these health challenges

Prerequisites: All 10 Core Courses (1xx, 2xx, 3xx)

YMS 406T: Methodologies in Clinical Yoga Therapy

The primary goals of this Methodologies in Clinical Yoga Therapy course are to familiarize students with basic theoretical concepts of scientific research, train them to analyze their data, and enable them to write their synopsis, dissertation and scientific articles. This training will impart basic skills required to do scientific research and motivate students to pursue higher research.

Prerequisites: High-school algebra and calculus

YMS 407T: Principles of Ayurvedic Diet and Lifestyle [2:1 Credits]

YOGA THERAPY TRACK

This course explains the Ayurvedic concept of diet and lifestyle. Ayurveda strongly believes that health is the outcome of what we eat and how we live our life. Unlike modern nutrition, Ayurveda uses food’s taste, and potency to understand the qualities of food, which helps to construct the diet for balancing dosha in one’s physiology. This course also explains the principles of lifestyle and wellness rituals for the foundation in healthy living. It describes daily and seasonal routines and the reasons these elements help us to be in tune with the ecosystem of our environment.

Prerequisites: All 10 Core Courses (1xx, 2xx, 3xx)

YMS 408T: Narada Bhakti Sutras [3:0 Credits]

All the six schools of philosophy (darsanas) in India are given out in the form of sutras. Narada Bhakti Sutras is an authoritative textbook upon the philosophy of devotion and we read it in the Bhagavata. The course deals with the study of these sutras with their deeper meaning. As the case of all paths of yoga is for self, Bhakti yoga also should be for self-growth from human level to God level which can be achieved with the help of our emotions. and insights that expose the students to the nuances of an enduring relationship of love in its various forms to experience “Godliness” of one's heart, enriching one in the path of Bhakti Yoga.

Prerequisites: YMS 103T

YMS 501T: Yoga: Biomedical Science & Research [3:0 Credits]

In this course, we will study yogic techniques to manage various diseases. For each disease, we will study applicable yogic techniques in terms of its promotive, preventative, and curative aspects, along with cautions and contraindications in their application. PCP 20 hours conducted during Week 15 on VaYU campus.

Prerequisites: YMS 203T OR Completion of an undergraduate college/university science course, e.g. psychology, biology, physical sciences.

RMA Specialization Courses

RMA 101T: Religions of West Asian Origin [3:0 Credits]

This course deals with the histories, doctrines, practices and personalities of Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Prerequisites: None

RMA 102T: Introduction to Indian Philosophy [3:0 Credits]

This course will start with Vedic Hindu religion and philosophy, then proceed to look at the philosophies of Jainism and Buddhism. It’ll look at Buddhism in detail as not only a major alternative to the Vedic tradition, but its impressiveness in spreading all over East Asia.

Finally, the course will look at the seven systems of post-Buddhistic Classical Hindu philosophy through the six-fold method (epistemology, ontology, theology, cosmology, psychology, and soteriology) of inquiry of each system of Classical Hindu thought.

The seven systems are: Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika, Sāṅkhya-Yoga, Prabhākara school of Mīmāṁsā, Kumārila school of Mīmāṁsā, Śaṅkara school of Vedānta, Rāmānuja school of Vedānta and Madhva school of Vedānta.

Prerequisites: None

RMA 103T: Introduction to Buddhism [3:0 Credits]

This course will start with the religious conditions in India at the time of the advent of the Buddha in the 6th century BCE, and after covering the life of the Buddha, it will look at the early history and philosophy of Buddhism in South Asia from 5th century BCE to 1st century CE. It will then look at the spread of Theravāda Buddhism and its institutions in Sri Lanka and continental Southeast Asia. Then, it will look at the emergence of Indian Mahāyāna Buddhism and its two schools in the 2nd century CE, and its spread into China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan. It will look at schools of Chinese and Japanese Buddhism in a compare and contrast style and also look into Buddhism’s conflicts with Confucianism in China and Shinto in Japan. Then, it will look at the emergence of Vajrayāna Buddhism in Tibet and the Himalayan region in the 7th century CE, and its spread into Mongolia in the 13th century CE. Finally, the course will conclude with the decline and demise of Buddhism in South Asia starting in the 5th century CE with the emergence of Renaissance Hinduism, and the coming of Islam in the 11th century CE.

Prerequisites: None

RMA 104T: Religions of East Asian Origin [3:0 Credits]

RMA 105T: Hinduism [3:0 Credits]

Jyotish Specialization Courses

YJS 101T: Jyotish Foundation Course [3:0 Credits]

The Jyotish foundation course aims to teach the building blocks of Jyotish Shastra. This course will introduce the basics of Vedic Astrology that forms the starting for students to learn the subject as per the teachings of the Maharishis.

Prerequisites: None

Certifications for Graduates

C-IAYT from International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)

VaYU and the International Association of Yoga Therapy (IAYT) share a common goal of promoting evidence-based practices rooted in traditional ancient Indian wisdom.

As an IAYT Member School, students actively enrolled in VaYU are eligible to join IAYT at a discounted Student Member rate to receive access to IAYT publications (Yoga Therapy Today, International Journal of Yoga Therapy), special rates for IAYT conferences, and other discounted products and services.

Graduates of VaYU’s Online MS (Yoga) may learn more about the IAYT-certification (C-IAYT) Portfolio Review & Evaluation (PR&E) pathway here. VaYU does not guarantee certification through IAYT at this time. Interested candidates may write to IAYT using Contact Us on iayt.org to request more information.

Yoga Instructor Certificate (YIC)

All Graduates of the VaYU's Online MS (Yoga) Program get a Yoga Instructor Certificate (YIC) from SVYASA.

Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200)

VaYU's Online MS (Yoga) Program Training far exceeds the requirements for Registered Yoga Certificate (RYT-200) from Yoga Alliance. VaYU's partner schools will provide the certification if a Graduate desires.

Bridge Courses - for Certified Yoga Teachers & Therapists

YBC 101P: Yoga Bridge Course from Yoga Alliance (YA) – Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200/500) to VYASA Yoga Instructor’s Course (YIC)

VaYU realizes that as an experienced Yoga Teacher with a YA-RYT 200/500 certificate, you deserve appropriate recognition for your achievement and hard work.

VaYU “Bridge Course” YBC 101P is designed to upgrade you from the YA-RYT level to VYASA Yoga Instructor Course (YIC).

Course Description:

This intensive 1-week long course is designed to bridge the gap between the Yoga Alliance- RYT curriculum and the techniques taught in YMS 104P Preparatory Practices, Asanas and Shat Kriyas (3 Credits). With the successful completion of this bridge course, you will receive 3-course credits waiver for YMS 104P towards your M.S. (Yoga) program. In addition, you will receive a Yoga Instructor’s Course (YIC) certificate from VYASA USA. YIC is a highly-respected teacher training course that emphasizes traditional Hatha Yogic techniques (in addition to asanas, these include traditional pranayamas, mudras, bandhas, and purification techniques), and a deep study of the source books of Yoga such as the Upanishads, Yoga Vasishtha, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita, The Yoga Sutras and The Bhagavad Gita.

Bridge Course - YBC 101P
Course Length: 1-week
Online Theory: 40 hours
PCP: 8 hours (1-Day)

Benefits:

Waived Courses for MS (Yoga): YMS 104P (3 Credits)
Upgraded To: YIC Certificate from VYASA USA
Online Theory: Syllabus

Personal Contact Program (PCP): 8 hours training conducted over 1-Day during the 15th Week of the first semester at certified VaYU Satellite Campuses across USA and Asia.

Teaching can be based in or out of the classrooms, the use of computers and the Internet forms the major component of e-learning.

YBC 102P: Yoga Bridge Course from C-IAYT to VYASA Yoga Therapist Instructor Course (YTIC)

YBC 102P: Yoga Bridge Course from International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) Certificate to VYASA

Yoga Therapist Instructor Course (YTIC)

VaYU realizes that as an experienced Yoga Therapist with a IAYT certificate, you deserve appropriate recognition for your achievement and hard work.

VaYU “Bridge Course” YBC 102P is designed to upgrade you from the IAYT Certificate level to VYASA Yoga Therapist Instructor Course (YTIC).

Course Description :

This specially designed 2-week intensive short course is designed to bridge the gap between the IAYT curriculum and the techniques taught as part of in YMS 101T Basis of Yoga Therapy (2 Credits) and YMS 104P Preparatory Practices, Asanas and Shat Kriyas (3 Credits). With the successful completion of this bridge course you will receive a 5-credit waiver of YMS 101T and YMS 104P.

You will also receive a Yoga Therapy Instructor’s Course (YTIC) certificate from VYASA USA. You will learn Yoga Therapy from the perspective of Pancha Kosha – the five sheaths (physical, energetic, mental, intellectual, and blissful) - as detailed in the Yoga Vasishtha, which is an encyclopedic text on Yoga from the 10th century. Included in the bridge course are a deep study of the classic text on Hatha Yoga (Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita), and Raja Yoga (The Yoga Sutras), from the lens of Yoga therapy. Also included are six advanced yoga techniques which represent the distilled essence of the Yogic model of health and well-being.

Bridge Course - YBC 102P
Course Length: 2-weeks
Online Theory: 80 hours
PCP: 16 hours (2-days)

Benefits :

Waived Courses for MS (Yoga): YMS 101P (2 credits) & YMS 104P (3 credits) for a total of 5 credits.
Upgraded To: YTIC Certificate from VYASA USA
Online Theory: Syllabus
Personal Contact Program (PCP): 16-hour training conducted over 2 days during the 15th Week of the first semester at certified VaYU Satellite Campuses across USA and Asia.

Teaching can be based in or out of the classrooms, the use of computers and the Internet forms the major component of e-learning.

VaYU has a unique curriculum for the Master of Science (Yoga) delivered in four semesters.

Cohort-based program

Locations for PCP

Four semester, 30 Credits

Program Highlights

Course Number Nomenclature

Course Path

Courses for Semester 1

Courses for Semester 2

Courses for Semester 3

Courses for Semester 4 - specialization tracks

RMA Specialization Courses

Jyotish Specialization Courses

Certifications for Graduates

C-IAYT from International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)

Yoga Instructor Certificate (YIC)

Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200)

Bridge Courses - for Certified Yoga Teachers & Therapists

Course Description:

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