YOGA SUTRA STUDY
MASTERCLASS
When I am travelling, I always like to attend yoga classes in local yoga studios. I find I meet amazing people, get a feel for the community, and get an opportunity to practice as a student.
What I find around the world, however, is that in many places, the essence of yoga is being lost.
What we are learning in the classes is the asanas - the poses of yoga - but not why we are doing them. What's missing is the philosophy of yoga.
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Most of modern yoga is based on Pantanjali's Yoga Sutras - an ancient text of 196 sutras, or threads, written thousands of years ago. The Yoga Sutras are a practical textbook to guide your spiritual journey of remembering who you really are. The Yoga Sutras are divided between four chapters, discussing the aims and practice of yoga, the development of yogic powers and finally, liberation. The Yoga Sutras warn you of the obstacles on your spiritual journey and offer the means to overcome them.
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I was keen to learn more about this when I first started yoga - but when I read the Yoga Sutras book assigned to me in my 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training back in 2014 - I just didn't understand what Pantanjali meant by his passages. It has taken me over ten years of studying the Yoga Sutras to begin to understand them and apply them to my life.
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I want to share this knowledge and study with yoga teachers, and students of yoga who are passionate and want to learn more.
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This will be a year long course, meeting once a week, for two hours a week. All of the classes will be recorded and available on demand. Some weeks, classes will be cancelled when Alex is hosting yoga retreats (she will notify you in advance!)
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During this class we will:
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Unpack the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a 2500-year-old text, in an accessible way
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Learn and understand some foundations of yogic philosophy as described by Patanjali
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Embark on a spiritual journey toward deeper understanding of yourself.
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This class is suitable for Yoga Teachers, as well as Yoga Students. It counts as a 100 Hour CEC (Continuing Education Credit) if you are a Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance.
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Module 1: Samadhi Pada
CONTEMPLATION (Sutras 1.1 - 1.51)
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During the first Module of the Yoga Sutra Study, we will study book 1 of the Yoga Sutras,
The first chapter of the Yoga Sutras defines yoga, the aim of practice, and the various problems that will come along the way as we work towards the state of yoga. The first book also talks about the process of separating our identity from our thoughts. We learn how to concentrate and absorb our self into the Spirit (Purusha) instead of mis-identifying with Prakriti.
Module 2: Sadhana Pada
PRACTICE (Sutras 2.1 - 2.55)
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In the second Module of the Yoga Sutra Study, we'll examine Book 2 ( Patanjali explains how to attain the goal of Samadhi. This book explains the mind, suffering, and how to live a yoga lifestyle. Patanjali explains the three paths of practice that The Bhagavad Gita teaches. Patanjali says we can use our Body/Karma/Action, our Mind/Jnana/Alignment, and our Heart/Bhakti/attitude.
Pantanjali outlines the Eight Limb Path which is made of the yamas, niyamas, asanas, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi.
Patanjali defines the five afflictions (kleshas) that cause suffering. The primary klesha is ignorance, or misperception, which gives rise to the other four: ego consciousness, desire, aversion, and clinging to life (or fear). To reduce the kleshas, meditation is prescribed. Otherwise, actions will be conditioned by suffering and one’s experience in the world will be determined by the intention behind those actions.
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING
Module 3: Vibhuti Pada
GIFTS & ABILITIES (Sutras 3.1 - 3.55)
During this Module, we'll study Book 3 of the Yoga Sutras, which runs from 3.1 - 3.55 . This book focuses on the supernatural abilities (siddhis) gained from the practice of samyama. This Module is primarily about practicing samyama, the “perfect discipline” in which the yogi directs the mind into dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (complete union) with a single object of focus. Dharana is focusing the mind on an object, Dhyana is the uniterrupted flow of the mind toward the chosen object, and Samadhi occurs when mind becomes transparent and no separate sense of self is felt, only the object shines forth in awareness. These are the final three limbs of Ashtanga (8-limbed) yoga, and they concentrate the energy of consciousness.
Module 4: Kaivalya Pada
ABSOLUTE FREEDOM (Sutras 4.1 - 4.32)
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In the last Module we study, we'll learn about the forces of nature (gunas) and how to move past the limitations of time and space. We'll learn about yoga’s goal - a continuously unfolding process of self-knowledge and that this will lead to moksha, liberation. We'll learn the ability to discern between mind and spirit is the ultimate practical achievement of the yoga path.
CLASS TIMINGS
Indigo Group
Jan 11 - Dec 31 2023
Every Wednesday​
8:00pm-10:00pm EST
5:00pm-7:00pm PST
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Every Thursday
9:00am-11:00am AWST (Bali Time)
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Violet Group
Jan 11 - Dec 31 2023
Every Saturday
3:00pm-5:00pm Bali (AWST)
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11:00am-1:00pm Dubai (GST)
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7:00am-9:00am UK (BST)
SAVE YOUR SPOT NOW
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Payment Options:
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$150/month for 12 Months (Payment Plan)
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$1650 in full ($150 Discount.)
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Full 300 Hour YTT:
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