ICSE Class 9 Syllabus 2027 Yoga

ICSE YEAR 2027

INDIAN CERTIFICATE OF
SECONDARY EDUCATION
EXAMINATION

YOGA
(84)

February 2025
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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MISSION STATEMENT

The Council for the Indian School Certificate
Examinations is committed to serving the nation's
children, through high quality educational
endeavours, empowering them to contribute towards
a humane, just and pluralistic society, promoting
introspective living, by creating exciting learning
opportunities, with a commitment to excellence.

ETHOS OF CISCE

Trust and fair play.
Minimum monitoring.
Allowing schools to evolve their own niche.
Catering to the needs of the children.
Giving freedom to experiment with new ideas
and practices.
Diversity and plurality - the basic strength for
evolution of ideas.
Schools to motivate pupils towards the
cultivation of:
Excellence - The Indian and Global
experience.
Values - Spiritual and cultural - to be the bedrock
of the educational experience.
Schools to have an 'Indian Ethos', strong roots in
the national psyche and be sensitive to national
aspirations.

YOGA (84)

Aims: 4. To foster team spirit amongst the youth and avoid
unhealthy competition.
1. To enable young people to generate an
understanding of the principles of yogic practices 5. To develop appreciation for Indian cultural
so as to improve quality of life. practices that support meaningful and relevant
educational strategies.
2. To develop the ability to perform appropriate
yogic asanas so as to improve physical and mental 6. To create opportunities to develop ideals, social
conditions and emotional equilibrium. skills and strengths.
3. To help youngsters improve psychological
functions, e.g. awareness, concentration, will
power, humility.

CLASS IX
There will be one written paper of two hours duration Types of Muscles, cardiac, striated and smooth
carrying 100 marks and Internal Assessment of 100 muscles;
marks..
Understanding a Muscle: (i) Its ability to contract
PAPER I (THEORY) (briefly) ii) Its ability to extend (briefly) (iii)
Muscle tone and its importance for maintaining
SECTION I: HUMAN BIOLOGY posture (iv) Attachment of muscles to bones
through tendons and a basic understanding of how
1. The Human Skeleton muscles make movement possible (v) Concept of
Functions and classification; axial and agonist and antagonist muscles;
appendicular skeletal system; types of joints. Identifying the following important muscles:
Functions of the human skeleton; classification of (i) Muscles in the neck and shoulder regions-
the skeletal system; the axial skeletal system: skull Trapezius and Deltoid (ii) Muscles in the arms-
bones and vertebral column. Curves of the spine: biceps and triceps (iii) Muscles in the chest
cervical curve, thoracic curve, lumbar curve, pectorals, intercostal muscles iv) Muscles in the
sacral curve, coccyx. Rib cage and sternum, belly-Rectus abdominis, oblique, Transversus
structure and functions (briefly); the appendicular (v) Muscles along the spine-Paraspinal muscles
skeletal system: (vi) Muscles in the buttocks-Gluteal muscles
(vii) Muscles in the thighs - Hamstrings,
Location of pectoral girdle (scapula and clavicle), Quadriceps, Adductors, viii) Diaphragm.
bones of arms; pelvic girdle - ilium, pubis,
ischium; bones of the legs. Importance of a good posture: An understanding
Types of joints: immovable, movable: Pivot, that a poor posture (rounded shoulders, a hunched
Hinge, Gliding, Ball and socket (with examples). back) can lead to headaches, backaches and
Tendons, Ligaments, joints, cartilage - definition sluggishness. A poor posture also interferes with
and basic function. healthy breathing.
3. The Respiratory System
2. The Muscular System
Types of muscles, how muscles are attached, their Parts of the respiratory system: role of intercostal
muscles, diaphragm, ribs and sternum; role of
role in movement. Important muscles of the
yoga in culturing breath and improving
human body, importance of a good posture. respiration.

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Parts of the respiratory system: Nasal cavity, 4. Ramakrishna Paramhansa
Pharynx, Larynx Trachea, Bronchi, Bronchioles,
Birth and early Life; His marriage to Saradamani;
Alveoli, Lungs, (location and function of each
arrival at Dakshineswar and introduction to
part);
priesthood; his meeting with teachers like
The role of intercostal muscles, diaphragm, ribs
Bhairavi Brahmani & Totapuri; Any three
and sternum for (i) inspiration (ii) expiration;
miraculous events in his life
How yoga cultures breath and improves
respiration. SECTION III: CONCEPTS OF YOGA
4. The Digestive System 1. Guru and Shishya
Importance of Guru in yoga, qualities of Guru,
The alimentary canal and the importance of a
types of shishya and relationship between the
healthy diet.
Guru and shishya.
The Alimentary Canal: Mouth, Oesophagus,
Stomach, Liver, Pancreas, Small Intestine, Large 2. The four Purusharthas, the four Ashramas
Intestine, Rectum, Anus (Location and function, in Basic understanding of the above.
brief, of each of the above).
3. The four Margas (Bhakti, Karma, Raja, Jnana)
SECTION II: SAGES OF INDIA Bhakti yoga: the path of emotions: love devotion
and worship, types of bhakti: saguna, nirguna and
Candidates are expected to know about the lives and
para bhakti, various ways of worshipping: navdha
teachings of the following sages of India:
bhakti, concept of personal god.
1. Valmiki Karma yoga: the path of actions, various concepts
of karma like (i)Karma kaushalam (excellence in
Early Life; meeting Narada and the turning point work), (ii)Nishkama karma (abandonment of
of his life; repetition of ‘Mara’ changing to expectations for the results and selfish motives),
‘Rama’; formation of a Valmika (anthill) hence (iii)Samatvam(equanimity), (iv) faith and
his name Valmiki; meeting with Rama and Sita; surrendering ego, types of karma, black, white
giving shelter to Sita and her sons Lava and and black and white, karmashaya and how it
Kusha, when she was banished by Rama; builds up, role of karma as cause of bondage and
salvation
inspiration received to write the Ramayana;
Raja yoga: the path to inner world through
importance of the Ramayana and its story in brief; concentration and will to control the mind and its
liberation of Ravana through Rama. modifications, ashtanga yoga
2. Kabir Jnana yoga: the path of wisdom, knowledge and
intellect
Birth and early life; Meeting with and discipleship
4. Patanjali and his contributions to Yoga
under Swami Ramananda; His marriage; Kabir
as a social and religious rebel; His death in A brief story of his life, contribution to Sanskrit
Magar; Works: Kabir Bijak. Concepts expounded grammar, Ayurveda and the Yoga sutras.
by some of his famous dohas.
5. Ashtanga Yoga as defined in the Yoga Sutras
3. Mirabai
Bahiranga and Antaranga sadhna.
Birth and early life; Her connection from
The Five Yamas
childhood with Sri Krishna; Her marriage to
Prince Bhojraj; Akbar disguised as a merchant Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmcharya,
visiting her; Ill treatment at the hands of her in- Aparigraha.
laws after her husband's demise (incident of her The Five Niyamas
drinking the poison unaffected); Her last days in
Vrindavan; Importance of her poems and songs Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya, Ishwar
Pranidhana.

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A note on Kriya Yoga as explained in sutra 2.1 3. Psychological aspect of an asana practice
(a) Asanas Reactivity threshold; psychological aspects of:
(b) Pranayama Meditative and relaxing postures, forward bending
asanas, back bending asanas, standing asanas,
(c) Pratyahara
balancing asanas and inverted asanas.
(d) Dharana
− Reactivity threshold: By watching the breath
(e) Dhyana instead of paying attention to the pain
(f) Samadhi experienced during an asana one becomes
less reactive in day to day life as well.
SECTION IV: PSYCHOLOGY AND − Meditative and relaxing postures: bring self-
PHYSIOLOGY OF YOGA discipline, relaxation and steadiness
− Forward bending asanas: Bring peace,
1. An Understanding of Yoga release of tension, and humility to the mind.
− Back bending asanas: Energise the system
Definition of yoga: according to Patanjali, as and enhance self-esteem.
explained in the Bhagvad Gita. (yoga is excellence − Standing asanas: Help to root the practitioner
in action\works) in existence. Enhance stability and endurance.
How is yoga different from other forms of physical − Balancing asanas: Increase concentration
and focus
exercise? To be discussed with respect to the
− Inverted asanas: Hormone balancing hence
interconnection between mind, body, and spirit anti-anxiety and anti-depression.
and how yoga brings these into harmony with each
other. Yoga also addresses imbalances and 4. Pancha Koshas
illnesses at an organic level (the action of yoga Panch Koshas - a concept from the Taittiriya
reaches the inner organs and heals chronic Upanishad: Annamaya Pranamaya, Manomaya,
ailments from the roots). Vijnanamaya, Anandamaya kosha.
2. Hatha Yoga A basic understanding of how a human being is
made up of the above sheaths; how each sheath is
(a) Understanding the roots related to the next sheath. An understanding of
Ha (the sun) Tha (the moon). Hence Hatha the relationship between life force (prana) and the
yoga is the art and science of balancing power physical body (Annamaya) so also an
(the sun) with peace (the moon) as applied to: understanding of connection between thoughts
(Manomaya) and the energy flowing in the body
(i) Muscles: asanas should strengthen them (Pranamaya).
(sun aspect) and make them flexible
(moon aspect). 5. Pancha Pranas
(ii) Degree of stretch in an asana should not Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana, Vyana
be maximum nor minimum but optimum
(balanced and so recommended). Location and basic functions of the above 5
pranas.

(b) Breath 6. The Seven Chakras
(i) Inhalation, the power or the sun aspect of
Muladhara, Swadishthana, Manipura, Anahata,
the breath
Visuddhi, Ajna, Sahasrara
(ii) Exhalation, the peace or the moon aspect
of the breath Location and functions; the element the chakra is
associated with; colour of the chakra.
(c) Nadis
Ida (moon channel, left nostril), Pingala (sun 7. Sutras
channel, right nostril), Sushumna (central
Sutras 2.29. 2.46
channel) (Just a basic concept and location of
above nadis).
The above two sutras should be known with their
meanings.
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8. Yogachara: wellness through the four pillars of (a) Degree of effort and progress in his/her yoga
yoga practice (judged through periodical tests).
(b) Assisting the yoga therapy sessions.
(i) Ahar (diet) (c) Improving his/her own health and well being
through yoga therapy.
An introduction to the concepts of Sattva, (d) Participation in programmes..
Rajas and Tamas as applied to food; The
importance of a healthy diet and its effect on Section B (60 Marks): This section will consist of
physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. three Practical Tests.
Importance of the following: Test 1: Predetermined Asanas (30 marks)
The pupil must perform any six asanas from those
(a) Incorporating seasonal fresh fruit and given below:
vegetables in the diet Utthita Trikonasana, Utthita Parshvakonasana,
Virbhadrasana I, Virbhadrasana II, Parasarita Pada
(b) Drinking adequate amount of water in a Uttanasana I, Adho Mukha Shvanasana,
day Shirshasana(half), Karna Pidasana.
(c) Health hazards of in taking an excess of Test 2: Directed asanas (20 marks)
aerated drinks, refined flour, salt, white The pupil must perform 4 or 5 asanas of the teacher's
sugar, packaged foods. choice. (The teacher will select asanas from the Class
IX syllabus only). The teacher may test the pupil's
(d) Concept of mitahar (as in Hatha yoga), ability to adapt and modify asanas.
importance of eating right quality and
Test 3: Preference of asanas (10 marks)
quantity of food.
The pupil will perform 2 asanas of his/her own choice.
(ii) Vihar (relaxation and recreation)
Important Notes: The pupil must choose two asanas
Importance of conscious relaxation as in from the Class IX syllabus only.
shavasana, doing recreational activities
(developing creative hobbies) in which, body, The pupil must not choose any asanas that he/she has
mind and emotions are involved. already demonstrated in Test 1 and Test 2.
(iii) Achar The practical work is to be covered under the
following categories:
Importance of discipline in routines and
actions/work; for example: sleep and wake up (A) Asanas
early, maintain meal times. 1. Vrikshasana
(iv) Vichar (thoughts) 2. Garudasana
Positive thinking, pratipaksh bhavana, 3. Utthita Trikonasana
understanding the temporary nature of the 4. Utthita Parshva Konasana
objects through Anitya bhavana, attitude of
gratitude and forgiveness, surrendering the ‘I 5. Virbhadrasana I
‘sense. 6. Virbhadrasana II
7. Prasarita Pada Uttanasana I
PAPER 2 (INTERNAL ASSESSMENT)
8. Pada Hastasana
The practical work is divided into two sections as
9. Adho Mukha Shvanasana
follows:
10. Parvatasana
Section A (40 Marks): Course Work - the course work
will be assessed by the teacher on the basis of 11. Urdhva Prasarita Padasana
continuous assessment. The candidate will be assessed 12. Supta Virasana
on the basis of his/her output in the following areas:

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13. Ushtrasana (C) Breathing\pranayama
14. Dhanurasana 1. Anapanasati - sensing the incoming and
15. Marichyasana 1 (Twist only) outgoing breath in the nasal passages for about
3 minutes to begin with in order to slow down
16. Bharadvajasana I
thoughts. This can be eventually extended to
17. Bharadvajasana II 5 minutes.
18. Malasana (Squatting only) 2. Abdominal Breathing, the students should be
19. Shirshasana (half shirshasana,wherein,the made aware that the belly should move
student can climb the wall and rest the toes on outwards when we inhale and move inwards
the wall while doing shirshasana) when we exhale.
20. Salambha Sarvangasana I 3. The Full Yogic breath:
21. Halasana (a) Abdominal breath
22. Karna Pidasana
(b) Thoracic breath
23. Supta Konasana
(c) Clavicular breath
(B) The Surya Namaskar

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