What is Yoga Philosophy?

The yoga postures you do on the mat are only a small portion of what it means to be a Yoga Practitioner. Yoga was practiced for hundreds of years before anyone did any physical movement. Yoga was ritual, chanting, visualization, breathing and meditation. In the Yoga Scholar Introductory Training, you will learn the history of the yoga lineage, learn about the different styles of the practice, understand the primary texts associated with yoga and come away with a full “Tool Kit” of supplementary practices to support your journey as a Seeker and enhance your offerings as a Teacher.

Yoga Scholar: Yoga Training Programs

Yoga Teacher Trainers:

If you are currently running a Yoga Alliance compliant 200 or 500 hour Teacher Training certification program you may not have received in depth training in philosophy.  This is extremely common as most TTs need to focus on the physical safety of their students. The Yoga Scholar training can be tailored to your time and subject matter needs to support your on going training. Modules can be as short as a 2 hour history of India lecture to a 20 hour immersion into the different types of philosophy, texts, ayurveda and subtle body training.

Studio Owners:

The Yoga Scholar Training is appealing as an evening or weekend workshop for your community that has interest in learning more about the contemplaive traditions of yoga but has only been exposed to short, drop in classes. 

Seminar topics can include:

Vedic Period

• Geography of India, Indus River Valley, Pashupati Seal 

• History and Definition of the word “Yoga”

• The 4 Stages of Life/ Ashramas

• Explanation/ Historical Context of Caste System

• Philosophy of the Upanishads/ Vedanta: Atman/ Brahman

• Timeline of Yoga Texts and Historical Movements

 Patanjali’s ‘Yoga Sutras’

• The Eight Limbs

• Yamas and Niyamas

• The Balance of Sthira and Sukha

• The Five Klesas

Bhagavad Gita

• Concept of Dharmaksetra (navigating the field)

• The Margas (paths) of Yoga

• Dharma (purpose)

• Historical significance (Gandhi etc.)

• Value to Yoga Teachers

• Significant Quotes text analysis

• Journal exercises

Ayurveda

• Gunas and Doshas

• Prakriti Constitution Evaluation

• Yoga Postures for Your Dosha

• Dosha for Time of Day and Season

• Doshas in Daily Cycle

• Doshas in the Seasons

• The Six Rasas

Hatha Yoga

• Dattatrayeyogashastra

• Hathapradipika 

• Sanskrit Names of Poses/ Pronunciation Chart

• Definition of Asana,Pranayama,Tantra 

• Subtle Body: Chakras, Nadis,Koshas,Causal Body

• Bandhas and Kriyas

• Dristi

• The Five Tattvas

• Tattva Shuddhi Elemental Purification

Bhakti Yoga

• Superheroes (Deities)  of Yoga

• Gayatri Mantra

• Asatoma Invocation

• Guru/ Disciple relationship, precautions

Corporate

Today we are seeing an explosion of motivational trainings in the workplace, with companies of all sizes finding ways to inspire their workers. What you might not know is that so much of the current approach is actually based on eastern philosophies like Buddhism and Vedanta. These philosophy lectures will focus specifically on how ancient teachings can be adapted for a corporate setting, highlighting the purpose and significance of each individual role, while enhancing company culture and giving context to its overarching mission and vision. Understanding the individual and finding ways to harness the energy of a team has been the focus of yoga traditions for thousands of years. These lectures will reimagine these time-tested techniques to reaffirm a sense of individual and collective purpose.