YOGA PHILOSOPHY

The history and philosophy of yoga is remarkably vast and poetic. Yoga scholars say that there is not one yoga, but many yogas, which have adapted and evolved with the influences of history, time and culture. And yet, sturdy truths & threads of yoga have survived - and need our collective effort to be preserved. Together, we will contextualize the physical poses (asana) within the greater spiritual practice and trace the origins of "modern" yoga. This workshop will provide an organized accessible overview of yoga’s fascinating history. Time permitting, we will dip into some of the controversies arising with yoga's growth in Western popularity.

While yoga is quite broad, there are certainly core concepts that are the bed from which many yoga traditions grow. We will explore elements of Sankhya, a philosophical school that was influential in shaping yoga, including the three qualities of matter (gunas); discerning what is unchanging (consciousness) from what is ever-changing (all else); and the relationship between our senses, mind, and soul from a yogi’s lens. Selected stories, karma, the paths of yoga, and definitions of yoga will help knit together the picture. These are ancient ideas though remain remarkably relevant to our daily experiences and even gave rise to much of our modern psychology.

Reading sacred scriptures (the practice of svadhyaya) immerses you into the incredible language, tone and texture of yoga. In The Yoga Sutras, author Patanjali compiled and systematized Classical yogic teachings using somewhat cryptic notes. While maybe best known for “the eight limbs of yoga,” The Sutras house much more insight about the nature of the mind, suffering and consciousness. The Bhagavad Gita, a pivotal Bhakti text, pitched yoga-for-all — not just for ascetic, forest-dwelling yogis — by reinterpreting renunciation. This will give an orientation to these two expositions on overcoming the timeless challenges of our human experience. Both works are filled with incredible metaphors and stories sure to stick with you & inspire.

Love is a very compelling force. As long as time, we have had a natural attraction to it. In 1984 Foreigner pleaded, "I wanna know what love is." Maybe Winnie the Pooh described it best, "You don't spell love, you feel it." Bhakti yoga is often called the path of love and devotion. It's a means of cultivating a spiritual heart, a loving way of being. Historically, Bhakti represented a revolutionary shift from yoga as a strictly renunciate practice, to an in-the-world approach for all. Love is effective: it spontaneously dissolves ego (the limitations of who we think we are, “I-ness”) into the infinitely wide space of our true nature (awareness). How do we get there? We'll dig into these methods that invite us into the perspective of consciousness (soul). Now, if you're skeptical of or allergic to words like soul, divinity, or devotion, Sandy felt the same way! She'll illuminate what she's experienced as personally transformative in a down-to-earth real-talk way, threaded with stories, metaphors, and historical context.

You are likely very familiar with the superstar of yogic mantras, “Om,” yet the idea of mantra can conjure many associations. We’ll demystify the origins, purpose and potentiality of these sacred sounds & vibrations. Depending on the context, mantra can incorporate elements of meditation, prayer, song, community, devotion or ritual. You’ll learn how to chant on mala beads (japa meditation) and can experience mantra in song (kirtan). Mantra is the current of divine connection, or as some say the sound-form of love. The repetition of sacred sounds asks us to lean into simplicity, to disrupt our habits of thought and reaction, so we can turn inwards to our true nature and purify our heart. Who wouldn’t be curious about these spiritual sound waves?

Sadhana refers to a yogi’s set of daily practices aimed toward a spiritual goal, which go well beyond physical poses (asana). This will bring to life the powerful practices of mantra/japa (repetition of sacred sounds), kirtan (singing), pranayama (breath), and dhyana (meditation). We will also explore Hatha, and the implications of tapasya (austerities that cultivate tolerance), svadhyaya (independent study), saucha (cleanliness), and the culture of sadhus (dedicated yogis). This session will be rich with visuals, demonstrations and opportunities to experience these practices. Practices and application are really the heart of yoga that lead to profound change; these practices breathe knowledge to life.