Definition: Six classical Hatha Yoga purification techniques to cleanse internal organs, balance doshas, and prepare for higher practices.

1. Dhauti — e.g. Vastra Dhauti (cleansing with cloth)
2. Basti — e.g. Jala Basti (colon cleansing with water)
3. Neti — e.g. Sutra Neti (nasal cleansing using thread)
4. Trataka — e.g. Bahya Trataka (steady gazing)
5. Nauli — e.g. Vama Nauli (abdominal churning)
6. Kapalbhati — e.g. Vatakarama Kapalbhati (frontal brain cleansing)

• Removes toxins and blockages.
• Prepares the body for pranayama and meditation.
• Balances the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, Kapha.

Gentle loosening movements to prepare joints and muscles for deeper yoga practices.

• Neck movements – forward/backward bending, lateral bending, rotation.
• Shoulder rotations and lifts.
• Elbow bends and wrist rotations.
• Ankle bending, rotation, and stretching.

• Improves joint mobility.
• Reduces stiffness.
• Promotes blood circulation.

Dynamic warm-up series designed to build strength, flexibility, and stamina.

• Standing forward bends and backbends.
• Side stretches.
• Twists.
• Dynamic squats or limb movements.

• Increases blood flow to muscles.
• Enhances flexibility/strength.
• Prepares body for asanas or sports.

A dynamic sequence of 12 postures performed in a flowing series, synchronised with breath, traditionally offered facing the sun with a mantra for each step.

1. Pranamasana – Om Mitraya Namah
2. Hasta Uttanasana – Om Ravaye Namah
3. Padahastasana – Om Suryaya Namah
4. Ashwa Sanchalanasana – Om Bhanave Namah
5. Parvatasana – Om Khagaya Namah
6. Ashtanga Namaskara – Om Pushne Namah
7. Bhujangasana – Om Hiranyagarbhaya Namah
8. Parvatasana – Om Marichaye Namah
9. Ashwa Sanchalanasana – Om Adityaya Namah
10. Padahastasana – Om Savitre Namah
11. Hasta Uttanasana – Om Arkaya Namah
12. Pranamasana – Om Bhaskaraya Namah

• Improves flexibility and circulation.
• Strengthens muscles and joints.
• Balances body and mind.

Specific physical positions designed to align the body, mind, and spirit, improve flexibility, strength, and mental focus.

• Standing Postures
• Forward Bends
• Backward Bends
• Twisting Poses
• Balancing Poses
• Inversions
• Seated Poses

• Physical health: improved posture, balance, flexibility.
• Mental calmness and focus.
• Preparation for pranayama and meditation.

Control and expansion of prana – vital energy – through regulated breathing techniques.

• Pooraka – Inhalation
• Rechaka – Exhalation
• Kumbhaka – Breath retention (Antar, Bahir, Kevala)

1. Surya Bheda
2. Ujjayi
3. Sheetkari
4. Sheetali
5. Bhastrika
6. Bhramari
7. Moorchha
8. Plavini

Mudras: symbolic gestures channeling prana.
Bandhas: energy locks to direct and increase prana in the subtle body.

• Mula Bandha – Root lock at perineum
• Uddiyana Bandha – Abdominal lift
• Jalandhara Bandha – Chin lock

• Retain prana within the body.
• Stimulate chakras.
• Assist pranayama and meditation.

Practice of focused awareness to still the mind and connect with the inner self.

1. Awareness of external sounds.
2. Awareness of spontaneous thoughts.
3. Creation and disposal of thoughts.
4. Awareness and dissolution of thoughts.
5. Thoughtlessness/Shoonya awareness.
6. Return to breath and body awareness.

• Reduces stress and anxiety.
• Improves concentration and clarity.
• Deepens self-awareness.

Understanding the theoretical framework of yoga drawn from classical texts.

1. Yama – Ethical restraints
2. Niyama – Positive duties
3. Asana – Physical postures
4. Pranayama – Breath regulation
5. Pratyahara – Sense withdrawal
6. Dharana – Concentration
7. Dhyana – Meditation
8. Samadhi – Absorption

• Shat Kriya
• Asana
• Pranayama
• Mudra & Bandha
• Samadhi

These are common topics you may be asked to prepare and speak about during the viva/practical evaluation.

• Importance of Yoga in Daily Life
• Role of Pranayama in Mental Health
• Benefits of Surya Namaskar
• Shat Kriyas as Preparatory Practices
• Yoga for Stress Management
• Yoga and Lifestyle Diseases
• Philosophy of Ashtanga Yoga
• Difference between Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga
• The Science of Mudras and Bandhas
• Yoga Therapy – Scope & Application

• Keep your talk clear and structured — introduction, main content, conclusion.
• Use simple Sanskrit terms correctly and explain them.
• Maintain steady posture and voice.
• Keep within the allotted time.

Selected important short questions and answers based on viva-voce expectations.

• Q: Define Yoga according to Patanjali.
  A: “Yogah Chitta Vritti Nirodhah” — Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind-stuff.
• Q: Name the three bodies in Yogic philosophy.
  A: Physical (Sthula), Astral (Sukshma), Causal (Karana).
• Q: Name the five koshas.
  A: Annamaya, Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya, Anandamaya.
• Q: What is the aim of Hatha Yoga?
  A: To purify the body and mind and awaken Kundalini.
• Q: What are the three nadis?
  A: Ida, Pingala, Sushumna.
• Q: What is Kapalbhati?
  A: A cleansing technique (shat kriya) using forceful exhalations and passive inhalations to clean frontal brain region and respiratory tract.
• Q: What is Nadi Shodhana?
  A: Alternate nostril breathing to purify energy channels.

• Revise all prayers and mantras with correct pronunciation.
• Be able to demonstrate each shat kriya, asana, and pranayama from the syllabus.
• Know the benefits and contraindications of every practice.
• Be able to explain Sanskrit terms and their meanings.
• Revise yoga philosophy points (8 limbs, bodies, koshas, nadis, chakras).
• Practice smooth transitions when demonstrating asanas and sequences like Surya Namaskar.
• Before the exam, ensure you can perform without visual aids.
• Meditate daily to maintain calmness during the viva.