HEALTH AND MEDICINE

Yoga Therapist

Uses yoga practices to support recovery from stress, back pain, diabetes and other lifestyle conditions.

Biology helps for the B.Sc route; any degree can lead in After Class 12 Self-employed

Facts checked 29/10/2026

Is this for me?

People in this work enjoy

Seeing slow, steady improvement in someone's daily comfort and energy
Combining body, breath and mind in one practice
Working with people one-to-one and building trust over time

It may not suit you if you dislike

Years of study and practice before you feel confident with patients who have medical conditions
Income can be uneven early on, especially if you work for yourself
Some people may not stick with their practice, so you need patience and clear communication

Class 11–12 subjects: For the B.Sc (Yoga) route at MDNIY, Class 12 needs Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with at least 50% in each subject. Many other routes open after any degree, so Class 12 stream matters less. Biology helps you learn the body, which this work needs.
First degree: B.Sc (Yoga), 3 years, 6 semesters. After a graduation: M.Sc (Yoga or Yoga Therapy), usually 2 years. For medical and paramedical graduates: a 1-year PG Diploma in Yoga Therapy.
Entrance exams: Entrance tests are set by each university or institute. For MDNIY's B.Sc (Yoga) the reported test is IPU CET. Check the notice of the college you pick.
Licence or registration: None needed to start working.

Open to every streamBiology helps for the B.Sc route; any degree can lead in.Check your subjects against every career

What the work is like

Teaching yoga practices (asanas, breathing, relaxation, meditation) to people with stress, back pain, diabetes or other long-term conditions. Planning sessions with a doctor or physiotherapist, keeping notes on progress, and running one-to-one or small group classes in clinics, hospitals, wellness centres or your own space.

A day in the work
A typical morning might start with a one-to-one session with a patient recovering from back pain, going through breathing and gentle postures at their pace. Before lunch you may write short notes on how each patient is progressing and talk with the doctor or physiotherapist who referred them. The afternoon could be a small group class for people managing stress or blood sugar, followed by planning the next week's sessions.

The path, step by step

Step 1 · Class 10–12If you want the B.Sc (Yoga) route, take Science in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. You need at least 50% in each subject taken separately. Good Biology marks also help in any later course.
Step 2 · Class 12Apply to a yoga institute's B.Sc entrance. MDNIY's B.Sc (Yoga) is reported to use IPU CET (reported). Check each college's notice for dates and rules. (reported — check with the official body)
Step 3 · 3 yearsComplete B.Sc (Yoga). At MDNIY it is a 3-year, 6-semester course affiliated to GGSIPU, Delhi. Other universities run their own yoga degrees.
Step 4 · After graduationOptional: M.Sc in Yoga or Yoga Therapy (usually 2 years). Medical and paramedical graduates can take a 1-year PG Diploma in Yoga Therapy instead.
Step 5 · Any stageGet a Yoga Certification Board (YCB, Ministry of AYUSH) certificate. The Assistant Yoga Therapist course needs 10+2 and at least 400 hours, including 100 hours of contact teaching on anatomy and physiology. The Yoga Therapist course needs any degree and at least 800 hours.
Step 6 · OngoingBuild clinical experience with a doctor, physiotherapist or hospital team. Keep your YCB certificate current: most levels are valid for 3 years and need renewal under the continuing education programme.

Ways in

RouteB.Sc (Yoga) straight after Class 12, a 3-year undergraduate route.
RouteM.Sc in Yoga or Yoga Therapy after any graduation, a 2-year postgraduate route.
RoutePG Diploma in Yoga Therapy for medical and paramedical graduates, a 1-year route.
RouteYCB certification (Assistant Yoga Therapist or Yoga Therapist), which is a certificate course rather than a degree.

Time and money

Stage	Time	Government college or body	Private college	Help available
Class 11–12 (Science with Physics, Chemistry, Biology)	2 years	Your school's fees	Your school's fees	—
B.Sc (Yoga) entrance (MDNIY reported IPU CET)	1 day exam	Check the notice	Check the notice	—
B.Sc (Yoga) degree, 6 semesters (MDNIY, affiliated to GGSIPU)	3 years	MDNIY reported about ₹27,000 per year (first year); about ₹71,000 total over three years (reported, unconfirmed)	Check the college's fee page	—
Optional M.Sc Yoga Therapy (after any graduation)	2 years	MGUMST, Jaipur: ₹40,000 per year tuition plus ₹25,000 one-time enrolment fee	Sri Sri University: ₹35,000 per semester tuition	Check the college's fee page for scholarships; none confirmed
Alternative: PG Diploma in Yoga Therapy (medical and paramedical graduates)	1 year	Check the college's fee page	Check the college's fee page	—
YCB certificate (Assistant Yoga Therapist: 400+ hours; Yoga Therapist: 800+ hours)	Check the YCB course; hours set by YCB	Check the college's fee page	Check the college's fee page	—

Total timeAbout 3 years after Class 12 for B.Sc (Yoga); about 5 years if you add an M.Sc

Total costFees depend mostly on the college you choose — compare fee pages.

Good to knowNo official scholarships or stipends were confirmed; the MDNIY B.Sc fee figures are reported, not verified on an official page.

Fees from: MGUMST M.Sc Yoga Therapy course page · MDNIY Certificate Course in Yoga for Wellness Instructor notice (12.03.2026) · Sri Sri University M.Sc Yoga page. Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.

What people earn

Earnings depend a lot on whether you work in a hospital, a government programme, a wellness centre or your own practice, and on your city and reputation. Early years are usually slower while you build a client base.

Myth and fact

Myth: ~~A yoga therapist can treat diseases the way a doctor does.~~

Fact: A yoga therapist works along with a certified physician, not in place of one. The official YCB syllabus describes the role as working under supervision or alongside a certified physician.

Try it now

Class 7–9Join your school's yoga, sports or health club, and keep a simple daily log of your breathing and posture practice for one month.
Class 10–12Read the official YCB syllabus for the Assistant Yoga Therapist course to see what anatomy, physiology and safety topics it covers. Then ask your Biology teacher to explain one body system you find interesting.Open link ↗
College or afterVolunteer for a month at a local hospital, physiotherapy unit or wellness OPD to see how yoga is used alongside medical care, with the staff's permission.

Good to know

Yoga therapy is not a title that only registered people may use the way architect is. Still, a recognised certificate or degree helps you get work and trust.
Check that a course or certificate is recognised by the Yoga Certification Board or a recognised university before you pay. Many short online courses are not.
The official YCB guideline I read says yoga therapy guidelines were still being formulated. Later YCB syllabus documents exist, so check the current YCB site before you enrol.
Yoga therapy works alongside medical care. Do not stop prescribed medicines because of yoga, and always coordinate with the patient's doctor.

Sources: Yoga Certification Board (Ministry of AYUSH): Assistant Yoga Therapist syllabus PDF · Yoga Certification Board: Guideline for Yoga Professionals PDF · Yoga Certification Board: Special Continuing Yoga Education Programme PDF · Yoga Certification Board: Yoga Therapist (YTh) syllabus PDF (copy hosted on patanjaliyogacertification.org, not the official domain) · MDNIY (Ministry of AYUSH) Foundation Course in Yoga Science for Wellness PDF, with course eligibility and details · Sri Sri University: MSc Yoga Therapy page (private university, for course length)