Introduction

Quickly assess your knowledge of Yoga Philosophy Foundations, and identify gaps in your education. See below for assessments on these subjects:

1. Foundational Philosophies
2. Bhagavad Gita Introduction
3. Yoga Sutras Historical Context
4. Yoga Sutras Overview & Structure
5. Kleshas (Obstacles)
6. Eight Limbs Overview
7. Yamas & Niyamas Overview

Purpose

Offer a series of free quizzes for yoga teachers to:

1. Provide an effective way to assess knowledge of each of the Teaching Knowledge Standards.
2. Make it easy to self-assess privately, on your own time.
3. Help teachers who identify educational gaps to bolster their knowledge with accessible and practical lessons.

More Self-Assessments

For more self-assessments, see the Standards & Self-Assessment Hub.

Foundational Philosophies

Teaching Standard

Explore the philosophical foundation of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which is based on Samkhya philosophy and its dualistic understanding of reality. Compare this perspective with the teachings of Advaita Vedanta and Tantra, and examine how these traditions interpret the nature of consciousness. Define Tantra and discuss the purpose of tantric practices within the broader context of yoga philosophy.

Assessment

1. Upon Which philosophical system informs Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras?
2. How does Samkhya differ from Advaita Vedanta and Tantra? How might these philosophies be related within a broader context of personal evolution?
3. Provide a brief description of Samkhya, Advaita Vedanta, and Tantra.
4. What are gunas and how are they related to prakriti?
5. What does the word “tantra” mean, and what is the purpose of tantric practices in yoga?

Vocabulary

Bhagavad Gita Introduction

Teaching Standard

Understand the prominent role of The Bhagavad Gita in yoga philosophy, and establish a foundation for exploring its teachings.

Assessment

1. Translate the words “Bhagavad Gita.”
2. From what book is the Gita a part?
3. How is the Gita structured?
4. Distinguished scholars describe the Gita as the book on yoga par excellence and the “first full-fledged Yoga scripture”. Expand on the importance and relevance of the Gita to the philosophical teachings of yoga.
5. What is Arjuna’s “impossible task?”
6. How does the Gita teach the practice of detachment and renunciation?
7. How does the Gita describe yoga?

Yoga Sutras Historical Context

Teaching Standard

Be familiar with the historical context of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and build a foundation for exploring the teachings.

Assessment

1. Who was Patanjali?
2. Translate and describe “sutra.”
3. Why were these yoga teachings documented in the sutra style?
4. Why is Sanskrit well-suited for communicating the Yoga Sutras?
5. What is an issue related to translating the Yoga Sutras into English?
6. From which branch of yoga do we find the Yoga Sutras?
7. When comparing Buddhist philosophy to The Yoga Sutras, what do students tend to find?

Yoga Sutras Overview & Structure

Teaching Standard

Be familiar with the scope and content of the Yoga Sutras.

Assessment

Vocabulary Mix-and-Match

Provide the meaning and significance of the following terms.

1. Kaivalya Pada
2. Patanjali
3. Sadhana Pada
4. Samadhi Pada
5. Sanskrit
6. Sutra
7. Vibhuti Pada
8. Yoga Darshana
9. Yoga Sutras

Questions

1. What is the subject of the Yoga Sutras?
2. The Yoga Sutras are also known as Yoga Darshana. What does this mean?
3. How many sutras are in the Yoga Sutras and how are they structured?
4. What is the name and subject matter of each of the four books?
5. What are the primary topic categories within Book 2, Sadhana Pada?
6. What are the primary topic categories within Book 3, Vibhuti Pada?
7. Does the structure of the Yoga Sutras match the structure of the process it describes?

Kleshas (Obstacles)

Teaching Standard

Be familiar with kleshas, the subconscious afflictions that are considered the root causes of human suffering and obstacles to spiritual growth.

Assessment

1. Translate and describe “kleshas.”
2. List and translate each of the five kleshas.
3. What is the significance of kleshas in yoga?
4. Define Kriya Yoga and explain how it relates to kleshas according to the Yoga Sutras.

Eight Limbs Overview

Teaching Standard

Be aware of the intention, teachings and tools of the Eight Limbs of Yoga.

Assessment

1. The “eight limbs” are practices from which branch of yoga?
2. Which of the limbs are external aspects?
3. What is the purpose of the external aspects?
4. Which of the limbs are internal aspects? What term encompasses all of them?
5. Why are the last three limbs in a different chapter of The Yoga Sutras than the first five?
6. How is attention related to the last three limbs?
7. What are the yamas?
8. Describe the reasoning behind the position that the yamas are the most important limb.
9. What are the niyamas?

Yamas & Niyamas Overview

Teaching Standard

Be familiar with the general subject matter of the yamas (restraints) and niyamas (observances) as a whole and individually.

Assessment

1. How do the yamas and niyamas relate to the Yoga Sutras?
2. Define yama. In general, what do the yamas describe?
3. Define niyama? In general, what do the niyamas describe?
4. Speak to the internal effects of the yamas and niyamas and how this compares to discussions of ethics or morality.
5. Which sutras describe the yamas and niyamas?
6. Define and succinctly describe each yama.
7. Define and succinctly describe each niyama.
8. What are some considerations for teaching yoga philosophy in general, and the yamas and niyamas in particular?

Next Steps

1. To view more self-assessments, go to the Standards & Self-Assessment Hub.
2. Members, view this clear and concise resource:  Themes & Topics Index, Yoga Vocabulary & Glossary of Terms
3. Members, view clear and concise lessons:
   • Foundational Philosophies
   • Bhagavad Gita Introduction
   • Yoga Sutras Historical Context
   • Yoga Sutras Overview & Structure
   • Kleshas (Obstacles)
   • Eight Limbs Overview
   • Yamas & Niyamas Overview

In a Nutshell

• The enrollment fee is $25 and is open to Yoga Teacher Central members, past members and non-members.
• Members receive current membership benefits plus additional benefits listed below.
• Enrollment in the Study Program qualifies you for lifetime YTC Teacher status.

Benefits

Enrolling in the Study Program gives you:

1. A downloadable Knowledge Standards Lesson Guide to walk you through a structured study path toward certification.
2. Selection of 5 downloadable lessons of your choice (from a library of nearly 500).
3. Recognition as a YTC Teacher (for life; no expiration).
4. Professional marketing kit for highlighting your YTC Teacher status on social media and your website.
5. Excellent preparation for taking certification exams.

Members

• Your current membership gives you online access to not only thousands of pages of organized study and teaching knowledge, but also sequence breakdowns and teaching notes, theme plans, injury cheat-sheets, and so on.
• When you enroll in the Study Program, you get these additional benefits: a Knowledge Standards Lesson Guide, selection of 5 downloadable lessons of your choice, and a professional marketing kit for highlighting your YTC Teacher status on social media and your website.

See here for information about exams, badges and certification. Get links for each exam, and for a no-risk trial exam.

We think you’ll enjoy taking the exams. The questions are well-thought-out and the subject matter is quite engaging and significant for teachers. You’ll get an inspiring teaching after answering each question. At the end of the exam, you see a summary of wrong answers and the relevant teachings,  giving you a personal study guide targeted to your needs.

This is an hour well-spent!

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