Purpose of the course:  To provide understanding and instruction on Patanjali’s eight limb path of yoga in a way that directly and immediately deepens your practice and increases the benefits from your practice. The Patanjali path is called the Yoga of Involution or systematically going inwards from sensory and transient experiences of the external world to more abiding, tranquil and joyful experiences of the vast internal world where your true essence resides.

 

Session 1:  Introduction to the course.  Discussion and journaling of the first two limbs:

YAMAS restraints  and why they matter:  ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmachary (moderation), aparigraha (non-greed) 

NIYAMAS observances  and why they matter:  saucha (cleanliness), santosha (contentment), tapas (discipline), svadhyaya (self-reflection, study of spiritual texts), ishvarapranidhana (surrender) 

 

Session 2:  Fundamentals and practice of the following 2 limbs:

ASANA seat, physical postures

PRANAYAMA  breathing techniques for mental and physical health

 

Session 3:  Fundamentals and practice of the following 2 limbs:

PRATYAHARA drawing inward so things outside of ourselves no longer distract us 

DHARANA focused concentration; practice with object, mantra, yantra and breath

 

Session 4:  Fundamentals and practice of the following 2 limbs:

DHYANA meditative absorption;  practice various types of meditation

SAMADHI bliss, enlightenment 

Concluding remarks. Q&A