Namaste Everyone,
This blog is part of our YCB practical exam series. Yoga Certification Board conducts exams for Yoga Teachers Training for various levels. All the courses are very well structured and globally recognized. Post clearing this exam one becomes a registered teacher with Govt of India. AyushmanYog helps you prepare for these exams.
Tips for preparation for YCB Practical-
The practical exams of YCB are taken by a panel of 4-5 highly educated and experienced Teachers. The exams can be taken either in online or offline mode, depending upon one's convenience.
The exam usually takes 20-30 minutes. All the questions will be asked from the practical Syllabus only. Check the Syllabus here.
YCB practical exams are not only about the demonstration. You are assessed on the depth of your knowledge. For instance- When an asana is being asked, you will be assessed on 4 parameters-
1. Instructions of the asana
2. Benefits
3. Contraindications
4. Demonstration
This pattern is followed for all the practices- such as Kriyas, Pranayama, etc. Missing out on any of the parameters will result in losing marks.
Click hereTo know about the registration process for YCB - Yoga Teachers Training Exams.
Check out our Blog section to find more articles on YCB practical prep under the category Yoga Certification Board- Yoga TTC.
Shatkarma /Kriya / Yogic Cleansing Techniques-
Shatkarmas are the 6 cleansing techniques that are part of Hatha Yoga. The examiner will only ask you about the kriyas which are mentioned in your practical syllabus. As of 2022, only Dhauti, Neti, and Kapalbhati are asked in the YCB practical exams. Now, if you are taking online exams then ensure that -
You have all the tools required to perform the kriyas beside you. Such as a neti pot, warm saline water, 2 buckets, a napkin, etc.
All of these required items should be placed thoughtfully in front of the computer, to ensure visibility for the examiners.
It is advised to perform the asked kriya in front of the computer, without changing the direction of the cameras/laptop flap again and again. Hence before your exam take a mock by yourself. Be organized, this will leave a good impression on the examiners.
For offline exams-
Examination centers usually have arrangements for warm water, buckets, etc. Once you book the exam with an examination center they will give you an orientation session in which they would tell you what you will be required to bring.
Okay, so the prep is done, let's talk about the-
Question Pattern-
The question for this topic will be very precise Such as-
What is Shatkarma?
Can you perform Kapalbhati (or any other kriya)?
How to perform Kapalbhati (or any other kriya)? Can you explain verbally?
Now, For the answers-
It is very important to mention the Benefits and Contraindications of the kriya, even if the practitioner didn't ask for these specifically. A yoga teacher is expected to know when not to give a particular kriya to the practitioner. This is applicable to all practices.
Hence, be prepared with at least 3 benefits and 3 contraindications of each kriya mentioned in your syllabus.
Remember- It is a must to mention these even if the examiner didn't ask for this specifically. If you won't you will lose a mark.
The benefits and contraindications for the kriyas are numerous, and it is always a good practice to share these with your experience. However, to facilitate your preparation we are sharing some information with you. This information should be sufficient to answer this question, but we definitely encourage you to read more books on the subject, and most importantly practice yourself. While answering, the confidence should reflect in your voice and on your face.
Dhauti (Vaman)-
Technique-
Heat up 2 liters of water up to drinking capacity.
Put 2 tsp of salt. (Salted water is known as Saline water. The ratio is 1 tsp to 1 Ltr of water).
For convenience fill the water in a bottle. Or you can use the Glass.
Now, Gulp all of this water as fast as you can. The idea is to fill the stomach up to the throat with this saline water.
Now sit in Utkatasana, insert the first 2 fingers in your throat and press the back of the throat to induce vomit.
All the water which you had drunk will come out. Along with all the residue in the stomach. This Kriya is called Vaman Dhauti.
Time- This is to be done first thing in the morning.
Frequency- One can begin with a daily practice for 1-2 weeks. Then alternate days for 1 month and then every fortnight. If it is used as therapy then A yoga Therapist should be consulted.
Contraindication-
High B.P.
Stomach Ulcers
Colitis
Heart Ailments.
Benefits-
Favorable effect on the functioning of the kidneys, liver, and intestines.
Reduces excess phlegm, bile, and gastric juices.
Offers relief in case of obesity, diabetes, gas and flatulence, and constipation.
Detoxifies the digestive system.
Hygienic effects due to massage of the internal organs.
Neti (Jala)-
Technique-
Make saline water (1 ltr water +1 tsp salt).
Fill the neti pot with this water.
For convenience stand tall and bend from the waist over a washbasin/sink. (This is how the kriya is usually performed, but for your YCB practical exam, you can do it sitting and leaning over the bucket. )
Lean your head towards the left shoulder (one can begin from any side) and insert the spout of the pot in the right nostril and start pouring water in.
You will notice that water has started to come out from the other nostril.
Repeat with the other side.
Once both the nostrils are done make a fist with your right hand and put it below the nose with the back of the fist facing the ceiling and perform kapalbhati. You will see the water droplets coming out of the nostrils. Continue kapalbhati until all the water comes out of the nose.
Then use the first 2 fingers of both hands and rub the forehead, sides of the upper nose (sinuses), throat, and back of the ears.
This is the Jala Neti practice.
Time-
Morning and Evening are preferred.
Frequency-
Can be done every day.
Contraindication-
Blocked Nose
Nose bleeding and Infected internally
Benefits-
Immediate relief from respiratory disorders like sinusitis, allergy, and asthma.
It stimulates better powers of visualization and concentration and gives a feeling of lightness and clarity to the mind.
It has a soothing effect on the brain, so it gives relief from headaches, migraine, depression, mental tensions, and even epilepsy, hysteria, and temper tantrums
It is excellent if you are trying to give up smoking. It reduces mouth breathing and re-sensitizes the nose to the indecency and discomfort of ingesting smoke, therefore deprogramming the brain of the physical and psychological addiction.
Also helps control snoring during sleep.
Kapalbhati-
Technique-
Sit in Padmasana or any other dhyana asana.
Keep both the palms in dhyana mudra, back straight, and chin parallel to the ground.
Now take a few deep breaths to settle down
Now take a deep inhalation and start exhaling rapidly. Remember the ratio is not one inhale to multiple exhales. It's one inhale to one exhale with inhales being very insignificant and exhales being very prominent.
Repeat 20 strokes
Time-
Mornings and on empty stomach.
Frequency-
Can be done every day.
Contraindications-
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Hernia
When an asthmatic attack is in progress.
Ulcer
Benefits-
Cleanses the cranial sinuses, and this helps in relieving cerebral thrombosis.
It improves the function of the digestive tract as well as the absorption and assimilation of nutrients which is vital for better health.
It Is the best practice to be followed to oxygenate the blood.
It is called Skull Shining Breathing because it has a massaging effect on the brain. Each inhale and exhale has a "compress and decompress" effect on the brain (as seen in the brain MRIs). In Kapalbhati, this "compress and decompress" effect is increased
by a significant number, hence the brain massaging effect results in an immediate calm feeling.
Once again, it is highly recommended that you practice the kriyas yourself to get a better hold on the experience.
All The Best and Happy Learning!
Did I miss out on something? Mention in the comment box or reach out to yogafitness.nidhi@gmail.com
Check out our Blogs section for other topics under the yoga-certification-board-level-1 category.
Authored by
Nidhi (Senior Teacher @Ayushman Yog)
Level 1- 200 hrs., Level 3- 800 hrs. (YCB)
MSC (Yoga), MSC(Vedanta)
yogafitness.nidhi@gmail.com
