Relevance of the Yoga Sutras
Starts April 9 2020!
Is āsana yoga?
Of course not, says, well, everybody? But really? If that is so, why do we act as though it is? Why is a yoga class all āsana, with perhaps a little lip service to prānāyāma, a little somber chanting and sitting for, umm, 5 minutes, trying to look serene?
The truth is, we need āsana. We need it because our bodies crave movement. They even crave movement in groups of people. The sangha of it. Yes, we can exercise anywhere and in so many other ways, but āsana gives us something we do not get elsewhere and it brings a specific sense of satisfaction to the mind. A serenity, if you will. And our minds crave that as much as our bodies crave movement.
So then, imagine what all the other limbs would do for us if we practiced them just as diligently!
While the ultimate goal of the Yoga Sutras is absolute peace, within the 8 limbs lie incidental fruits. Practitioners begin to live more ethical, empathetic and kinder lives.
Yoga is not just a philosophical science, it also is a most practical one that has resisted becoming a religion and remained more of a philosophy, and a higher science!
And as a philosophy, it is very practical! As my teacher would emphasize, ‘yoga is not an armchair philosophy’
To truly understand this, one must study the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Wherein, for those who are so seeking, lie answers to our day to day dilemmas.
This relevance is found mostly in the second chapter. But it is meaningless without the context of the beginning of the first chapter and the beginning of the third. When read this way, it gives us the motivation to begin, continue, or go deeper; into our practice of yoga.
Whether you have never heard of them but wish to now or whether you have been practicing for years and are searching for that one more insight that will catapult you to the next stage, that is where I want to meet you.
As my teacher did me.
Staying in our āsana
Workshop Details & Registration
The Yoga Sutras are about the tradition of yoga. They clearly define the goal, the practices and the path. Although the paths and practices are numerous, the final goal is singular. It is peace of mind.
The transformation of patterns into essence.
To find ourselves and come to peace.
- 4 Fridays: April 9, 16, 23 (no class on 30) and May 7.
- 5-7 pm PST / 6-8 pm MST
- $125 for all 4 sessions. Sessions will be recorded and shared each week and available for a further month post event.
- Focuses on select passages of Chapter I and III and the complete II
Interested?
Get in early and save 10%! $25 deposit saves your seat and gets you 10% off until April 2nd. Space limited. No refund on deposit.
TEACHERS: Please ask about special rates for your yoga and YTT students and how to get yourself comped!
For context on our approach to the YS, read here:
Yoga. Āyurveda. Buddhism.
SAVE THE DATE:
Masterclass in Ayurvedic Cooking.
Sunday July 11th.
3 chefs share some of their favorite easy to make dishes, prepared based on Ayurvedic principles.
Details coming soon!
Arunachala Yoga & Ayurveda 