The Complete Yoga Sutras Course

Most Yoga practitioners and teachers are familiar with Yoga's most popular tools; which include the postures (asana), breath work (pranayama) and meditation (dhyana). These tools alone are extremely powerful and can be life-changing; however they are in fact part of a much larger holistic healing system designed to assist us in upgrading our unfulfilling habits and manifesting our highest potential in this lifetime. This complete system and methodology is outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali; which offers 195 solutions to create harmony at every layer of our being.

The Yoga Sutras were scribed over 2500 years ago, compiling all previous Yoga-related Vedic texts into one concise Yoga treaty. All ancient Vedic text attempted to answer life’s great questions:

Why are we here? And why do we suffer? What can be done to alleviate suffering?

According to the Sutras, we suffer because of our minds. They are distracted, agitated, prone to misperception and cling to unfulfilling habits. Thus, Yoga is really about the mind and not the body!

The Sutras are considered one of the world’s first comprehensive psychology texts. Offering a framework to understand the nature of the human condition, as well as practical tools to not only alleviate suffering but also positively transform every aspect of life.

• A clear, cohesive understanding of what Yoga really is as well as all the tools in the Yoga Therapy toolbox;
• The ability to integrate these teachings into every aspect of your life: relationships, lifestyle, body, breath, mind, senses and perhaps develop a sincere spiritual practice (if you so choose);
• The ability to reflect upon your own habits and patterns and consciously upgrade them with new, better ones;
• Correct understanding of how Yoga philosophy and practice can be applied to your personal life, enhance your group class teachings or work with private clients;

• The ability to chant the Sutras as they've been passed down for thousands of years;
• The confidence to take your teaching or yoga therapy practice to the next level by becoming a credible authority.

• Curious yoga students looking to learn about the complete system of Yoga that cannot be presented in a group class model;
• Yoga teachers looking to connect the dots between what they've learned in their trainings or mixed messages received from various teachers or the internet;
• Yoga therapists who seek to utilize the Sutras as a key framework for providing Yoga therapy;
• Dedicated students who have studied the Sutras and would like a companion course to reference particular Sutras and learn how to chant them.

The concept of lineage is very important. The wisdom of the Yoga Sutras has been passed down, translated and adapted to meet the needs of the modern human for thousands of years. No living teacher can claim ownership of these teachings, as they simply flow through us and it is a privilege to have access to them.

I've been studying the Sutras with my teacher Robert Birnberg for over a decade, he studied with his teacher, TKV Desikachar, who studied with his teacher T. Krishnamacharya, who studied with his teacher Ramamohana Brahmachari and so on...

What I love most about our lineage is that the Sutras are always translated in the most practical, universal, and user-friendly manner. As my teacher Robert says, "if it's not practical, it's not spiritual." It's really about concrete and specific ways to utilize these practices to make small course corrections in every day life and return to our most joyful, balanced self.

In these videos, I am referencing my handwritten notes received from my teacher Robert Birnberg, the senior teachers at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (as I spent a month there in 2011 studying the Sutras), insight from Amy Wheeler, in addition to referring to my own commentary developed and refined over the years.

I recommend reading the Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar; which has the Sutras at the end of the book, as well as Liberating Isolation by Frans Moors; which offers a word by word translation of the Sutras, as companion texts to this course.

This online course is not a substitute for a real-life teacher or community (sangha).

The Sutras have always been studied in groups, as an integral part of the learning process is the dialogue as to how these concepts apply to "real life." I encourage you to find a teacher or develop a Sutras Sangha and use this course as a reference for personal studies or as a jumping off point for greater discussion in group classes, private sessions or sutras study groups.

Studying the Sutras with my teacher and community has changed my life more than any other Yoga practice. In fact, you can't even classify the Sutras as a singular practice because it's really the framework and complete system that encompasses all other Yoga practices!!! Not only have these teachings given me the confidence to take my teaching practices to the next level, but also provided me with the self-reflection tools to understand who I really am, what I want out of life and how I can craft my life in a way that is in accordance with my values and allows me to consciously pursue all of my dreams.

Honestly, this is really powerful stuff and.... is a lifelong study! You may read through books, watch these videos, study with a teacher, but will always go back for more throughout the years to reflect, refine, and gain a new perspective as you continue your personal evolution along this path.

I am so proud of this course and truly hope that the content speaks to you in this online format, so that you can continue to use this as reference as you move forward along your own unique path of self-reflection and self-refinement. Enjoy!!!

Chapter 1: Samādhi-Pāda

Titled Samādhi-Pāda, this chapter is written for a student with a relatively stable mind and includes the following topics:

• Definition of Yoga. What it looks like to be in a state of Yoga and when we are not in a state of Yoga.
• Definition and understanding of the mind and its various activities.
• Framework and parameters to change the nature of the mind and thus our habits, known as 'Replacement Therapy'.
• Yoga's understanding of a Higher Power and the differences between Yoga and Religion.
• The obstacles to developing mental clarity and symptoms of the absence of Yoga.
• Solutions to steady the mind and overcome mental interruptions.
• The different stages of mental clarity, reminding us of what is truly possible, so we continue on this path.
• Chanting of each individual sutra, one word at a time.

Chapter 2: Sadhana-Pāda

• Introduction of the model of Kriya Yoga, as a formula for conscious and sustainable behavior change;
• Overview and insights regarding the causes of human suffering, known as the Kleshas;
• Tools to overcome the Kleshas and cultivate discernment (Viveka);
• Overview of the 8-Limbs of Yoga to not only overcome the Kleshas but create harmonious relationships with all aspects of life;
• In depth explanation and examples of the first 5 external limbs;
• Introduction to the invaluable tool of Bhavana, to cultivate an alternative perspective and visualize the future of our dreams;
• Chanting of each individual sutra, one word at a time.

Chapter 3: Vibhuti-Pāda

Titled Vibhuti-Pāda, this chapter is written for a seasoned and dedicated student who has mastered the concepts in Chapters 1 and 2. With a clear, stable and focused mind, this student is able to probe deeply into objects and concepts, and as a result is able to develop greater mental capacities or powers (siddhis). Chapter 3 includes the following topics:

• In depth explanation and examples of the last 3 limbs of the 8-Limb path, known as the internal limbs (antarangas);
• Definition and examples of samyama, as the process that occurs when practicing the last 3 limbs;
• The importance of the concept of viniyoga;
• Commentary on the state of the mind and what is possible when the practitioner is able to move the mind from a state of distraction to a state of direction;
• Examples of various objects of meditation mentioned in Chapter 3 and the benefits that can be acquired when the practitioner cultivates the ability to practice samyama;
• Introduction and commentary on the Chakra system as outlined in Sutras 3.29 - 3.34;
• How the mind acquires extraordinary powers (siddhis) when the kleshas have been overcome and the mind is ability to sustain focus;
• Warnings along the path of Yoga and remembrance of the goal of kaivalya;
• Discussion on the concept of mental clarity and it's role in achieving kaivalya;

Chapter 4: Kaivalya-Pāda

Titled Kaivalya-Pāda, this final chapter is written for the most highly evolved Yoga practitioner. A student whose mind is so refined and rarified, that their mental fortitude lies beyond the comprehension of their peers. This chapter expands upon the final stage of Yoga; which is freedom from suffering (kaivalya), as well as deconstructs the reality of the material world. Chapter 4 includes the following topics:

• Explanation of the various ways to achieve kaivalyam and which path is most sustainable;
• The dynamics of internal change and transformation;
• The possibilities of a mind that is so highly refined and the impact it can have on others;
• The varying tendencies of the mind according to different practitioners and their unique genetic make-up, early experiences and layers of conditioning;
• Understanding the nature of reality at a quantum level;
• The role of the mind in relation to the perceiver (purusha);
• Additional warnings along the path of Yoga, even at such a highly evolved state;
• The relationship of the gunas with regards to a highly refined mind;
• The final state of Yoga practice;
• Chanting of each individual sutra, one word at a time.