Wednesdays 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. CT
April 19 - May 17 (5 classes)
TS members: $60 · Nonmembers: $75
Many people in the West think of yoga only as the physical postures; however, the teaching presented in the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali provide a comprehensive spiritual path to liberation that goes far beyond physical wellness.
This class will explore the heritage of yoga and the power of its psychology as embedded in the Yoga Sutras by addressing how it affects our behavior, thoughts, and feelings.
Studying the mechanisms of the mind is not new. They were explored in much detail 2,000 years ago, and the wisdom is still applicable—and may even be vital—for seekers today.
This class asks you to apply what you learn each week by exploring how you think, resolve conflict, and deal with life's ups and downs, all in the service of revealing what is Real. A detailed syllabus is below.
Registration includes on-demand access to recordings of all the classes, which can be viewed for two weeks following the date of the last class. Late registrants will receive recording links to all missed sessions for on-demand viewing.
SYLLABUS
Recommended: A copy of the Yoga Sutras (preferably the Ravi Ravindra translation)
Willingness to practice 10+ minutes most days
Optional: Email for receiving notes each week
An open mind and desire to explore
Week 1:
- Introduction to the breadth of yoga: History, texts, terminology, Sanskrit, schools/systems, goals of yoga
- Sorting out what yoga is: Postures? Meditation? Psychology?
- Yoga is Indian; Yoga is universal
- Yoga in Hinduism; the mythology as an aid
- How is yoga mindful? Calming the fluctuations of the mind is the essence of yoga: But what does that mean?
- One mind-mindful technique
- Starting your Practice
Week 2:
- Yoga sutras, Chapter 1, Samadhi: Yoga as Practice
- Current medical/psychological research in mindfulness
- Applications to your life
- One mind-mindful technique
- Maintaining your Practice
Week 3:
- Yoga sutras, Chapter 2, Practice for the serious
- Application to your life
- Eight limbs of yoga
- One mind-mindful technique
- Maintaining your Practice
Week 4:
- Yoga sutras, Chapter 2, Continued, focus on ethics
- Ego in yoga; ego in life
- Application to your life
- One mind-mindful technique
- Maintaining your Practice
Week 5
- The message of the Gita
- Accomplishments and powers of yoga (YS Chapter 3)
- Application to your life
- One mind-mindful technique
- Maintaining your Practice
Judith Sugg, Ph.D. is a teacher and counselor intrigued with the power and clarity of the ancient texts and the light they bring to our present moment. She has written on mindfulness and conflict resolution, the overlap of psychology and yoga, and has recently finished a study guide on the Yoga Sutras. As a licensed counselor, Judy worked with clients with addictions and wrote two books in her field. She has taught yoga and meditation for 30 years.
Program Format
This is a live, interactive online program that will also be recorded for on-demand viewing. Our goal is to send recordings to you within two business days, often sooner. Recordings will be available for on-demand viewing for two weeks following the date of the last class.
Software Platform
Zoom for Windows, Mac, or mobile device; minimum recommended network bandwidth 1.5 Mbps. Please download Zoom for free at zoom.us/download, and test your connection at zoom.us/test. New to Zoom? Check out www.theosophical.org/FAQ. Please email webinars@theosophical.org for further information.