The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is recognized as the oldest text specifically about the path and practice of yoga. Patanjali is not credited with discovering or inventing yoga, but rather distilling and organizing much existing information into short, pithy phrases (sutras) that could be memorized, and that need to be ‘un-packed.’

Sitting quietly to study the Sutra(s) can be excruciating. The body fidgets; the mind wanders. To meet and overcome this challenge, our study of the Sutras will be accompanied by Yin Yoga practice. This allows the information to sink deeply into your psyche and soma, and helps you discover how this wisdom can be immediately applicable to physical yoga practice and life in the modern world.

In this workshop, students will be introduced to how this classic text is organized, and we will venture into understanding what this text asserts is the ultimate goal of yoga. We will chant, call-and-response style, many of the sutras, and investigate the ways the wisdom of this text can be applied to physical yoga practice, and life in the modern world.

To augment our study of the Yoga Sutra(s), throughout the classes we will explore correct pronunciation of the Sanskrit language in a way that is accessible and fun. We will discover the five points of resonance that create the sounds. In Sanskrit it is said that sound and meaning are one. By making an effort to pronounce the words precisely, the mind becomes focused and the meaning of the words is imbued into your being. Also, the sounds of this sacred language are believed to vibrate through the chakras, harmonizing the physical body and fine-tuning ‘you’ with ‘the all.

Students will come away with a heightened appreciation for the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and may be inspired to continue studying this text so that the information can be integrated, leading perhaps to the discovery of ultimate truth. This workshop is open to all levels of yoga practitioners, and counts toward 15 CEU's for Registered Yoga Teachers. 

Our schedule is: Tuesday, October 25th, 6-9 pm; Friday, October 28th, 6-9 pm; Saturday, October 29th, 9:15 am - 12:15 pm & 1-4 pm; Tuesday, November 1, 6-9 pm. Each 3-hour session includes yin yoga practice, Yoga Sutra chanting, exploration and discussion. Our time will be spent in the first 2 chapters of the text. 

No specific Yoga Sutra Text is required. If you have a copy, have it with you during class. Comparing a few is a skillful way to move closer to the meaning of each Sutra without believing any single translation is the final word.