Yoga Sūtras Course Starting 2014-2015 The Gift of Consciousness: An International 4-Module Course on the Yoga Sūtras in Study and Practice With Gitte Bechsgaard (PhD) and distinguished Iyengar Yoga Teachers
International Yoga Sūtras Course (2014-2016) The Gift of Consciousness: Patañjali s Yoga Sūtras An International 4-Module Course on the Yoga Sūtras in Study and Practice, with Gitte Bechsgaard (PhD) and distinguished Iyengar Yoga Teachers: Gloria Goldberg/ San Francisco & Southern Caliornia Joan White/ toronto, Canada Sheila Haswell/ england Jette Berring & Claus Wittig/ Copenhagen, Denmark We are committed to providing students and teachers of Yoga with an inspiring course of study and practice that is grounded in the tradition of Patañjali s Yoga. Patañjali s aphorisms, known as the Yoga Sūtras, offer profound insight on a wide range of contemporary questions and concerns such as the search for meaning, the role of Yoga and spiritual practice (sādhanā) in daily life, and the potential of human consciousness. Over a period of 4 retreats or modules, we will explore this rich storehouse of ancient wisdom, focusing particularly on Yoga philosophy and Yogic psychology in a living dialogue with embodied practice. Each of the 4 parts will occur over a period of 5 days and will include daily lectures on sūtra material as well as traditional recitation of invocation and sūtras in Sanskrit. The core philosophy course is standardized in order to ensure a high level of teachings in various international locations. The additional practice component is designed to welcome students of all lineages and levels- you may choose to take guided instruction in āsana (Yoga postures) and prāṇāyāma with distinguished Iyengar Yoga teachers or you may opt to engage in self-practice (available in selected locations). All of the guided āsana and prāṇāyāma classes will incorporate philosophy teachings from the course, highlighting the many ways in which the wisdom of the Yoga Sūtras can shape and transform our practice. Modules: Overview This 4-module course covers, in depth, practice relevant material from the Yoga Sūtras. The teachings will emphasize a firm foundation in the philosophical and psycho-spiritual aspects of Yoga as laid out in Samādhi Pāda (Book One of the Yoga Sūtras) and in The Gift of Consciousness. Module 1: Fundamentals of Yoga and Yogic Psychology Yoga is a mirror to look at ourselves from within. (B.K.S. Iyengar) Module 2: Self-Cultivation and Yogic Practice The word sādhanā is often translated as quest. The term quest conveys the idea of a long and arduous search and investigation through practice. (B.K.S. Iyengar) Module 3: Intensification and Contemplati e Practice Problems in life will always exist, but through the recognition of your own heart a higher awareness comes about, and you are able to see a greater purpose in everything that happens. (Swami Chidvilasananda) Module 4: Yoga as Mystical Trance: Cultivating Meditation We need for life to signify, to touch the eternal, to understand the mysterious, to find out who we are. (Joseph Campbell) 2 3
> Module 1: Fundamentals of Yoga and Yogic Psychology > Module 2: Cultivation and Yogic Practice In this first Yoga intensive, we will examine the model of the mind that Patañjali provides in the first chapter of the Yoga Sūtras. Along the way, we will explore the concept of Yoga as both the essential means and ultimate destination of the inner journey. The Vedic theory of the three essential modes of nature (tamas, rajas, and sattva), as well as the fundamental tenets of Yogic psychology will be discussed. Yogic practice is traditionally viewed as a life-long endeavor. It is an inner pilgrimage of the soul. Through practice we can come to realize our inner potential, for without cultivation, self-betterment remains an abstraction. Practice is a catalyst that brings embodied transformation to life, turning ancient knowledge into lived wisdom. Foundational practice as a transformative power is at the very heart of the teachings in this second Yoga intensive. > Module 3: Intensification and Contemplati e Practice > Module 4: Yoga as Mystical Trance: Cultivating Meditation In this 3rd module, we will explore the main contemplative practices described in Patañjali s Yoga Sūtras. As a group, these meditative techniques are referred to as the citta parikarma practices. This term encompasses a wide range of inward-minded practices all of which hold the power to calm the mind and clarify consciousness. Some of these practices concern the Yoga of right relationship- they relate to the cultivation of concentration in ways that can help us to heal and grow through healthy relationships, either with other people, with a Guru or mentor, with a chosen deity, or perhaps even with our own heart, breath, and higher mind. Together, these practices offer a most essential and life-giving medicine, a solution to be applied in the face of roadblocks or inner agitation. During this intensive, we will also discuss these perennial roadblocks or obstacles, examining how they affect our mind, path, and heart. According to Patañjali, Yoga embraces a wide range of meditative states. All of these fall under the umbrella term of samyama. These states of super-consciousness are primarily characterized by the gradual stilling of the mind through the meditative trinity of dhāraṇā (concentration), dhyāna (meditation), and samādhi (meditative absorption). When meditative practice intensifies, the seeker experiences a break-through of the intuitive, the sacred, and the mystical into their otherwise everyday, conditioned consciousness. In all world religions, we find that the mystical path is characterized by this kind of direct experience of the transcendental or sacred. 4 5
Course Locations Dates Copenhagen, Denmark with Jette Berring, Claus Wittig, and Gitte Bechsgaard Starting 2014 at the B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Center Copenhagen MODULE 1: october 10-14, 2014 MoDule 2: January 24-28, 2015 MODULE 3: May 22-26, 2015 Module 4: October 9-13, 2015 Toronto, Canada with Joan White and gitte Bechsgaard Starting September 6-15, 2014 at Vidya Institute MODULE 3: September 5-9, 2015 MODULE 4: September 10-14, 2015 Note: in Toronto we will offer 2 modules consecutively for a 10-day workshop experience. (i.e. the 4 modules will be covered over 2 x 10-day workshops) England, Manchester & South UK with Sheila Haswell starting May 2015 NORTH UK- at Manchester & District Institute of Iyengar Yoga Module 1: May 15-19, 2015 Module 2: October 2-6, 2015 Module 3: 2016- Dates to be announced Module 4: 2016- Dates to be announced Cost SOUTH UK- Location to be Announced Module 1: May 8-12, 2015 Module 2: September 26-30, 2015 Module 3: 2016- Dates to be announced Module 4: 2016- Dates to be announced For more details or to register, please contact Sheila Haswellsheilahaswell.yoga@gmail.com; 0044 7866 121419 For dates in CALIFORNIA please visit Vidya's website. Please contact the host location for costs in local currencies. Contact If you would like to register or for more information about our program, daily schedule, and home study program please check our website: www.vidyainstitute.com/book.yoga-sutras-course or to register for the course please contact info@iyisf.org or at 415.753.0909. 6 7
Vidya Institute 232 Christie Street Toronto ON M6G 3B8 mail@vidyainstitute.com www.vidyainstitute.com