200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Study Guide & Practice Questions - 2026-2027 | Yoga Certification Prep
What is yoga? yoke," meaning to join together- Union
yoga means stillness of the mind
Union of body, mind, and spirit
Patanjali the Father of modern yoga and the yoga sutras
Yoga Sutra, Written at least 1,700 years ago, it's made up of 195
aphorisms (sutras), or words of wisdom.
asana body posture*
what is yoga for? a mental practice during which there is opportunity to
work through stress, emotional issues, anxiety or
psychological challenges. Yoga practice encourages
mindfulness, or creating awareness.
the matt is your mirror
Ashtanga "8 limbs" (ashta= eight, anga = limb)
what are the 8 limbs -Yamas - sense of ethics and our personal integrity
-Niyamas- personal observances and self-discipline
-Asanas- are yoga poses
-Pranayamas- is breathing
-Pratyahara -is self observation and controlling our
senses- work on outside distractions
-Dharana- is concentration- inside distractions- focus
on one point
-Dhyana- is meditation- stillness of the mind
-Samadhi- to stand outside of
, 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Study Guide & Practice Questions - 2026-2027 | Yoga Certification Prep
what are the five rules to Yamas -the golden rule/ how we react to others -Ahimsa-
practice of non-violence/non harming others and the
self
-Satya- is the practice of truthfulness
-Asteya - practice of non-stealing
-Brahmacharya- is moderation, or the proper use of
energy
Aparigraha- is practicing non-attachment/ appreciating
because it can be fleeting
what are the five niyamas -how we react to ourself/help ourselves. -Saucha- is the
practice of purification/ cleansing
-Santosha- is the practice of contentment
-Tapas- practicing discipline and austerity
-Svadhyaya-is the practice of self study/ alone time
-Ishvara Pranidhana- is devotion, dedication and
surrender to the Highest Love
karma yoga To do this, we have to take the benefits we receive from
our practice and give them as an offering.
we experience a connection with a power greater than
ourselves. This is the oneness, the surrender, that is
Ishvara Pranidhana.
examples: community classes,charity benefits or some
other form of giving or donation
Purusharthas (for purpose of the soul): -they build on one another AND balance and theme a
4 Aims of Life yoga class with this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -Moksha- full
liberation (be yourself, calm in the storm)
-Dharma- essentially means duty (talents, born into,
title, responsibilities you choose ie. like a dog)
-Artha- is prosperity (how to carry out your dharama)
- Kama- is pleasure
find balance between the 4 aims of life
4 Noble truths -Dukkha, which means that life is suffering.
-Samudaya, that we create our own suffering in our
minds.
-Nirodha, the end of suffering, which means the end of
wanting, craving or desiring.
-Marga, -which is the 8-fold path that leads to the
cessation of suffering.
4 Aspects of True Love: - Maitri-It is benevolence or loving kindness
-karuna- which means compassion
-mudita- which means joy
-Upekesha- which means freedom or equanimity
, 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Study Guide & Practice Questions - 2026-2027 | Yoga Certification Prep
Bhagavad Gita -The Bhagavad Gita, often known simply as the "Gita"
- There are 700 different verses
-all written in 300-400 BCE
-part of the epic Indian text, the Mahabharata.
-ongoing dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Sri
Krishna
-the three-fold path of yoga- karma (behavior), jnana
(knowledge), and bhakti (devotion)
-it gives way to talks about the purpose of life, the
three-fold path of yoga, and the essence of the soul-.
-These three paths are:
1. Karma Yoga: the path of Selfless Action
2. Bhakti Yoga: the path of Devotion
3. Jnana Yoga: the path of Self Transcending
Knowledge
6 Branches of Yoga Raja
Karma
Bhakti
Tantra (esoteric)
Jnana
Hatha
Raja Raja yoga is a classical form of yoga with a heavy
emphasis on meditation. Raja can be translated as
"royal." It stringently encourages observance Patanjali's
8 limbs of yoga.
Karma -Karma yoga is simply service.
-Many of us are familiar with karma, which can be
defined as, ".....self-transcending action." It is the idea
that our present moment is a result of our past
decisions and actions.
-Perhaps we take all the peace we get from our
practice and offer it in time as a volunteer at a food
pantry, shelter or other community organization. Karma
yoga is action and service.
Bhakti Bhakti yoga is about devotion. Bhakti means "devotion"
or "love." Bhakti yoga contains many different practices
that unite the mind, body and spirit.
Tantra (esoteric) Tantra yoga is esoteric. Tantra is translated as "to
weave," or "to expand." The goal of Tantra yoga is to
weave together many yoga practices, and possibly
other spiritual teachings, so that we can connect with
others and connect with the universe.
, 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Study Guide & Practice Questions - 2026-2027 | Yoga Certification Prep
Jnana Jnana yoga is the yoga of wisdom or knowledge. Most
people think of Jnana yoga as the most difficult branch
of yoga. When thinking of Jnana yoga, scholars or
sages come to mind. To take the path of Jnana yoga is
to take a path of deep study of yoga philosophy.
Hatha -Hatha yoga was originally about purification, although
we use the word in western society to describe
something different now.
-In western society today, Hatha literally means "sun
and moon."
-It is used to describe a practice focused on asanas,
pranayamas, meditation, purification (detox), and the
subtle body (chakras, body's energetic pathways).
-In Hatha yoga, the goal is to purify and strengthen the
body while calming the mind.
Styles of yoga -Viniyoga
-Iyengar
-Anusara
-Ashtanga
-Vinyasa
-Kundalini
-Bikram Yoga / Hot Yoga
-Integral
-Jivamukti
-Ananda
-Laughing Yoga / Laughter Yoga / Happy Yoga
-Sivananda Yoga
-Kripalu Yoga
-Forrest Yoga
-Yin Yoga
Ashtanga yoga - perhaps should do this over the age of 25
-"eight-limbed yoga"
- physically very demanding
-outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras which include
moral and ethical guidelines, postures, breath work,
sense withdrawal, concentration and meditation.
-do an ashtanga class
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wYN1IhnXT4
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehNvZ1tKRI0
What is yoga? yoke," meaning to join together- Union
yoga means stillness of the mind
Union of body, mind, and spirit
Patanjali the Father of modern yoga and the yoga sutras
Yoga Sutra, Written at least 1,700 years ago, it's made up of 195
aphorisms (sutras), or words of wisdom.
asana body posture*
what is yoga for? a mental practice during which there is opportunity to
work through stress, emotional issues, anxiety or
psychological challenges. Yoga practice encourages
mindfulness, or creating awareness.
the matt is your mirror
Ashtanga "8 limbs" (ashta= eight, anga = limb)
what are the 8 limbs -Yamas - sense of ethics and our personal integrity
-Niyamas- personal observances and self-discipline
-Asanas- are yoga poses
-Pranayamas- is breathing
-Pratyahara -is self observation and controlling our
senses- work on outside distractions
-Dharana- is concentration- inside distractions- focus
on one point
-Dhyana- is meditation- stillness of the mind
-Samadhi- to stand outside of
, 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Study Guide & Practice Questions - 2026-2027 | Yoga Certification Prep
what are the five rules to Yamas -the golden rule/ how we react to others -Ahimsa-
practice of non-violence/non harming others and the
self
-Satya- is the practice of truthfulness
-Asteya - practice of non-stealing
-Brahmacharya- is moderation, or the proper use of
energy
Aparigraha- is practicing non-attachment/ appreciating
because it can be fleeting
what are the five niyamas -how we react to ourself/help ourselves. -Saucha- is the
practice of purification/ cleansing
-Santosha- is the practice of contentment
-Tapas- practicing discipline and austerity
-Svadhyaya-is the practice of self study/ alone time
-Ishvara Pranidhana- is devotion, dedication and
surrender to the Highest Love
karma yoga To do this, we have to take the benefits we receive from
our practice and give them as an offering.
we experience a connection with a power greater than
ourselves. This is the oneness, the surrender, that is
Ishvara Pranidhana.
examples: community classes,charity benefits or some
other form of giving or donation
Purusharthas (for purpose of the soul): -they build on one another AND balance and theme a
4 Aims of Life yoga class with this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -Moksha- full
liberation (be yourself, calm in the storm)
-Dharma- essentially means duty (talents, born into,
title, responsibilities you choose ie. like a dog)
-Artha- is prosperity (how to carry out your dharama)
- Kama- is pleasure
find balance between the 4 aims of life
4 Noble truths -Dukkha, which means that life is suffering.
-Samudaya, that we create our own suffering in our
minds.
-Nirodha, the end of suffering, which means the end of
wanting, craving or desiring.
-Marga, -which is the 8-fold path that leads to the
cessation of suffering.
4 Aspects of True Love: - Maitri-It is benevolence or loving kindness
-karuna- which means compassion
-mudita- which means joy
-Upekesha- which means freedom or equanimity
, 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Study Guide & Practice Questions - 2026-2027 | Yoga Certification Prep
Bhagavad Gita -The Bhagavad Gita, often known simply as the "Gita"
- There are 700 different verses
-all written in 300-400 BCE
-part of the epic Indian text, the Mahabharata.
-ongoing dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Sri
Krishna
-the three-fold path of yoga- karma (behavior), jnana
(knowledge), and bhakti (devotion)
-it gives way to talks about the purpose of life, the
three-fold path of yoga, and the essence of the soul-.
-These three paths are:
1. Karma Yoga: the path of Selfless Action
2. Bhakti Yoga: the path of Devotion
3. Jnana Yoga: the path of Self Transcending
Knowledge
6 Branches of Yoga Raja
Karma
Bhakti
Tantra (esoteric)
Jnana
Hatha
Raja Raja yoga is a classical form of yoga with a heavy
emphasis on meditation. Raja can be translated as
"royal." It stringently encourages observance Patanjali's
8 limbs of yoga.
Karma -Karma yoga is simply service.
-Many of us are familiar with karma, which can be
defined as, ".....self-transcending action." It is the idea
that our present moment is a result of our past
decisions and actions.
-Perhaps we take all the peace we get from our
practice and offer it in time as a volunteer at a food
pantry, shelter or other community organization. Karma
yoga is action and service.
Bhakti Bhakti yoga is about devotion. Bhakti means "devotion"
or "love." Bhakti yoga contains many different practices
that unite the mind, body and spirit.
Tantra (esoteric) Tantra yoga is esoteric. Tantra is translated as "to
weave," or "to expand." The goal of Tantra yoga is to
weave together many yoga practices, and possibly
other spiritual teachings, so that we can connect with
others and connect with the universe.
, 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Study Guide & Practice Questions - 2026-2027 | Yoga Certification Prep
Jnana Jnana yoga is the yoga of wisdom or knowledge. Most
people think of Jnana yoga as the most difficult branch
of yoga. When thinking of Jnana yoga, scholars or
sages come to mind. To take the path of Jnana yoga is
to take a path of deep study of yoga philosophy.
Hatha -Hatha yoga was originally about purification, although
we use the word in western society to describe
something different now.
-In western society today, Hatha literally means "sun
and moon."
-It is used to describe a practice focused on asanas,
pranayamas, meditation, purification (detox), and the
subtle body (chakras, body's energetic pathways).
-In Hatha yoga, the goal is to purify and strengthen the
body while calming the mind.
Styles of yoga -Viniyoga
-Iyengar
-Anusara
-Ashtanga
-Vinyasa
-Kundalini
-Bikram Yoga / Hot Yoga
-Integral
-Jivamukti
-Ananda
-Laughing Yoga / Laughter Yoga / Happy Yoga
-Sivananda Yoga
-Kripalu Yoga
-Forrest Yoga
-Yin Yoga
Ashtanga yoga - perhaps should do this over the age of 25
-"eight-limbed yoga"
- physically very demanding
-outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras which include
moral and ethical guidelines, postures, breath work,
sense withdrawal, concentration and meditation.
-do an ashtanga class
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wYN1IhnXT4
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehNvZ1tKRI0
