Description
Learning Outcome:-
- Learn in-depth, the yoga practices of breath-synchronized movements, asana, pranayama, and meditation.
- Understand the yoga philosophy as described in the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and Patanjali Yoga Sutras and how they apply to one’s daily life.
- Apply yoga practices and concepts to manage their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
- Understand the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga — yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and Samadhi.
Developed by the ancient Hindu sages in the Indian subcontinent, yoga is a psycho-somatic discipline with its roots going back over 5,000 years. Yoga, as practiced by modern society, is a path to achieving optimal health and wellness. Integrated holistic systems of yoga bring forth positive health at physical, pranic, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels (pancha kosha). In this course, we will learn the practical techniques of asanas, pranayama, meditation, and relaxation along with the subtle nuances of these practices, their contraindications, benefits, and spiritual significance. We will also learn in-depth concepts of Ashtanga Yoga as described in Patanjali Yoga Sutras and the four streams of yoga as described in the Bhagavad Gita. The eight steps of Ashtanga Yoga give a comprehensive and systematic approach to developing one’s mind. Ashtanga Yoga includes Yama (guidelines for ethical relationships), Niyama (guidelines for ethical lifestyle habits and choices), Asana (postures for physical practice), Pranayama (controlled and deliberate breathing practices), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the mind from distractions), Dharana (focusing), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (complete absorption). Apart from Ashtanga yoga as a practice of Raja Yoga, the other three disciplines that we include are Karma Yoga (the yoga of detached action), Bhakti Yoga, (the yoga of love, acceptance, and devotion), and Jnana Yoga (the yoga of contemplation and reflection). By combining all four streams of yoga — Raja yoga, Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, and Jnana yoga — one is able to achieve a state of peace, creativity, and fulfillment in life. We will learn about each stream of yoga and delve deeply into Raja yoga, which focuses on disciplining the mind and body using yoga practices. This course contains hands-on learning of yoga practices and techniques, lectures, discussions, and offline assignments.
Required/Elective: Required
Prerequisites: Admission to the program of study
Faculty/Instructor:TBD
Quarter Offered: TBD
Area of Study:- Yoga Studies
