The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Have you ever gotten the sense that there is something deeper going on in yoga class than alignment cues, stretching, sweating, and flowing with breath? Have you wondered what sthira sukam asasam means? Or exactly what the yamas and niyamas are? Or even what OM means? Or maybe you have an interest in the history of this ancient practice of self-care? If so, this workshop is for you!

Join Iyengar instructor and Baylor University professor, Anne Schultz, in this workshop lecture series discussing the core ideas of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, the foundational text of yoga. Anne will teach from Edwin Bryant's translation The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: A New Edition, Translation, & Commentary. Bring a copy of the book or any translation of the Sutras to class. No prior knowledge is needed. Bring a curiosity to deepen your understanding of yoga!

AUGUST 11th, 2-4pm

What is yoga? What are its aims and goals? Why is it so difficult to still the fluctuations of the mind (Chitta Vrittis)? How do we go about seeing our true nature? We will discuss Chapter 1 Sutras 1-33

SEPTEMBER 22nd, 2-4pm

What are the components of yoga practice? Why does Patanjali call it Kriya yoga? How does karma yoga fit in with it all? How do we avoid future suffering? We will discuss Chapter 2 Sutras 1-16

NOVEMBER 24th, 2-4pm

What is the eight-fold path? What are the yamas and niyamas? How do asana and pranayama fit into practice? What does it mean to practice the deeper limbs of yoga? What is samadhi? And what happens after that? We will discuss Chapter 2 Sutras 29-53 and Chapter 3 Sutras 1-3.