KUNMING, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The China-India Yoga College vows to expand its training beyond its location city of Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, as yoga gains popularity in China as a healthy lifestyle choice.

The college opened its first branch on Saturday at Yunnan University in the city of Lijiang as part of its nationwide partnership with universities in cultivating high-level yoga professionals.

A total of 50 branches will be set up in the future to boost yoga education and teacher training, according to Chen Luyan, dean of the China-India Yoga College.

Nearly 100 yoga teaching and training centers will also be built to provide teacher training courses, yoga workshops and non-profit courses, Chen said.

The China-India Yoga College recruits undergraduates and postgraduates at Yunnan Minzu University. It was founded in June 2015 as part of a China-India cultural exchange program.