Introduction

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

1. Defining Yoga
2. Branches of Yoga
3. Origins & Sources of Yoga

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

Defining Yoga

Teaching Standard

Be aware of the depth and breadth of yoga as both a philosophy and a practice, and consider multiple perspectives on its purpose and meaning.

Assessment

1. What is the meaning of the word “yoga” according to its Sanskrit root?
2. What are the historical and philosophical origins of the term “yoga”?
3. How does the second sutra of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali define yoga?
4. What are some additional profound ways that yoga has been defined, and what common theme connects varied definitions?
5. Moving beyond the literal meaning of the word, describe why people practice yoga.

Branches of Yoga

Teaching Standard

Compare and contrast the major paths and branches of yoga including their primary focus and underlying principles.

Assessment

1. List the major paths and branches of yoga.
2. Name examples of additional paths of yoga.
3. Describe the primary focus of each of the major paths of yoga and give examples of practices associated with each.
4. What is a primary philosophical foundation of Tantra and what cultural factors contributed to its development?
5. How are Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Tantra related and differentiated?

Origins & Sources of Yoga

Teaching Standard

Be familiar with the origins of yoga philosophy and cite references supporting the fact that yoga is neither a belief system, nor a religion.

Assessment

1. For what purpose and benefit are philosophical teachings integrated with the physical practice of yoga?
2. Is yoga philosophy considered a belief system? Is it a religion?
3. What are the original sources of yoga philosophy, and what other key foundational texts contribute to the teachings of yoga?
4. Provide a brief description of the following foundational yoga texts: the Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
5. What event is commonly recognized as a pivotal moment in the expansion of yoga to the West?

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:

• • Defining Yoga
  • Branches of Yoga
  • Origins & Sources of Yoga

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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