Vivekananda Yoga University (VaYU) in Los Angeles, California

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Vivekananda Yoga University, based on Vivekananda’s principles, was established in Los Angeles, California, in 2020. With its mission to create a yogic life path, it is the first university in the U.S. to offer a systematic study of the science of Yoga and also a recognized degree programs in the U.S.. It is also the first such university to get accreditation clearance from Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the agency which accredits universities on the West Coast.

The university is based on the growing need for yoga to be met by preparing yoga professionals. The graduate programs at VaYU are founded on scientific methodology and are evidence-based.

For its educational programming, VaYU collaborates with Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA), India, a registered charitable institution working towards making yoga a socially relevant science; the Harvard medical school; the Asian Yoga Therapy Association; the Federation of Indian Physicians Association; The International Association of Yoga Therapists; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Stanford University UC Davis Medical Health; UCLA and more.

Graduate Degree Program: VaYU offers an M.S. degree in Yoga. This is a 21-month, four-semester, 30 credit Master in Science program. Concentrating on the theory and the philosophy of yoga including Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and modern day yoga practices, the program offers specializations in Philosophy, Yoga Therapy, and/or Research in the 4th semester.

Doctoral Degree Program:  Introduced in the Fall of 2022, VaYU’s Ph.D. program in Yoga is a serious study of the Science of Yoga, the Philosophy of Yoga, and the Therapeutic Practice of Yoga. Admission to the doctoral program requires a Master of Science degree in Yoga or equivalent. Like other regular doctoral programs, VaYU Ph.D. program takes between 3 to 5 years to complete and is divided in preparatory coursework, qualifier for advancement to candidacy, and submission of an original dissertation, all under the university research faculty.

The program involves an in-depth study of the theory and philosophy of yoga and its therapeutic applications in management of physical ailments including cancers and neurological, digestive, and rheumatoid conditions. The doctoral program began with enrollment of 10 students from the U.S., Canada, Qatar, France, and India.

Accelerated Graduate-Doctoral Program: VaYU also offers a separate MS-PhD for ambitious students who can fast-track to the highest degree in the US.

Diploma in Yoga: The Diploma in Clinical Yoga Therapy is a 2-semester, 9-month-long diploma for working Healthcare Professionals including Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, and Physical and Occupational Therapists in Clinical Yoga Therapy.