Nation's first yoga college set up

Students do yoga in Yunnan University of Nationalities in Kunming. The university established the country's first yoga college on Saturday and the college will start enrolling students in August. Provided to China Daily

Yoga courses have been offered by the College of Ethnic Minority Sports at YUN for a few years. Two yoga teachers, trained in the United States, have instructed about 6,000 students in the university.

"Our experience of yoga education has also given us credit and confidence in the cooperation," Fan said.

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations will send two teachers to design the curriculum for a short-term course, defined as three to six months, and a long-term course, lasting 12 months.

There will be three classes. The elementary class will require 120 class hours to earn a certificate; the intermediate class will require 240 hours; and the advanced, 360 hours. In addition to yoga practice, there will be classes on Indian culture and philosophy.

All students who enroll at the college will have the chance to study at the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga in India, and those who qualify will be granted international yoga training certificates. "Students can also apply for scholarships from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations," Fan said.

With China still lacking an accepted yoga standard, the Indian teachers will help standardize yoga techniques, Fan said.

"If a standard curriculum is set up, and our diploma becomes recognized by our education authorities, we could start enrolling high school graduates," she said.

Contact the writer at chenliang@chinadaily.com.cn and liyingqing@chinadaily.com.cn