Modern education is of the conscious mind; Yoga education is the education of the sub-conscious. The ultimate change has to occur in the Buddhi or the sub-conscious.
A Yogi aims at bringing about a change in the value system that lies at the root of the motivation. Yoga education affects a person's motivation and value system.
The Buddhi has four positive and four negative Bhavas (latent states of the sub-conscious). The evolutionary change is the one in which a person dwells more and more in the positive reducing/loosening the grip of the negative. The four positive Bhavas are Dharma (self-direction), Jñana (concentration), Vairagya (objectivity), Aisvarya (will power). The negative Bhavas are their opposites; that is, Adharma, Ajñana, Raga, Anaisvarya. Yoga education is a process of making a conscious effort to become aware of the Bhavas in which one dwells most of the time and to learn and use yoga techniques to accelerate the process of transgressing the negative Bhava and to be in the positive Bhava.
First of all, consider the yoga techniques that will bring about a change from Adharma to Dharma. These techniques bring about an experience of peace and quiet, they calm the mind and enable one to gain clarity. By these techniques, one builds up healthy relationships with others and one's own self. Dharma techniques are for disciplining. Pridoff Dreikurs has said: Discipline to a child is what a wall is to a house. In Jainism, it is said: "Dharma to a human being is what water is to a fish".
A teacher has this very basic task of disciplining the pupils. All this is the expression of the Buddhi.
To move from indiscipline to discipline, simple techniques like Sukhasana can be used to calm the mind. Thus there comes about self-direction and the strength of positive conviction.
The Dharma techniques of Yama come to their aid. The Five Yamas; namely Ahimsa (non- violence), Satya (truthfullness), Asteya (non- stealing), Brahmacarya (non-indulgence in sexual pleasures) and Aparigraha (Non - Greed) give direction to teacher as well as help the students to come out of tight situations. The principles by which these Yamas, the universal values work, affects a person to watch one's self to become aware of one's attitude and motive in thinking, speaking, and doing anything. The basic urge to be better and to evolve will not allow a person whose awareness has increased to remain in Adharma. The doubts will be removed and Dharma will prevail. Of course one will shine little by little.
Jñana or concentration is another thing that is lacking. Ordinarily, concentration is selective. It is not willful. It is dependent on interest and material gains. It is motivated by results. It is not even conceived of as a state of mind which can be consciously achieved and used. It continues to depend highly on environment. It is easily lost or disturbed. It ceases to exist when the object of concentration is removed from the focus. A student may be able to concentrate on sports but not in academics. The concentration while studying science does not exist while studying history.
Yoga techniques of concentration help to be in a state of concentration which one can consciously direct to any area of work, to be efficient in all the tasks that are undertaken.
Techniques of co-ordination like certain dynamic and static Asana - Talasana, Utkatasana, and Garudasana are very helpful. Trataka, a Kriya, increases concentration power. These techniques give better results if preceded by techniques of body awareness Kapalarandhradhauti, Karņarandhradhauti etc. Body awareness is to be aware of the state of every part of the body at all times. It is a state of mind in which no change in the body goes unnoticed at any time.
Body awareness maintains body in good and healthy condition. Similarly, co-ordination and concentration techniques help in keeping the mind healthy.
When one gains tranquility and clarity i.e. one is established in Dharma, one gains real knowledge, the knowledge about one's real self and can differentiate between all that causes pain and sufferings from that which takes one beyond all pain. Such understanding prepares the practitioner for the next stage of Vairagya.
Vairagya or objectivity is being able to create a distance from everything including one's own body and mind. In this state one can be relaxed. One can watch over everything naturally. One gets a larger view over view bird's eye view of everything. One is able to understand the laws of nature. One can see how the past changes into future in every present moment. Such a being can perform all one's duties without any desires for results. Vairagya techniques include Savasana. Anityabhavana. Yogamudra etc. These help in physical and psychological relaxation.
When objectivity is attained there is better memory and strong will power that is Aiśvarya. Established in Aiśvarya techniques of Sattvasamvedana improves memory. Bhujangasana, etc. help to increase will power.