Yoga Sūtra II

This course will break down Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra in both meaning and sound. We will engage in the physical practice of prāṇāyāma via chanting, which will calibrate our nadi/cakra system, preparing us for other yoga practices, such as āsana, seated prāṇāyāma, and dhyāna. By balancing our nervous system, the rest of the day will be better balanced as well. In addition, we will explore the philosophy and theory behind the words that we chant so that they resonate within us with more vigor and understanding.

Classically, a śiṣya (student) would understand the meaning of a particular sūtra (secular aphorism, aka śloka) only after being able to fully embody its sound in the form of chanting. In Sanskrit, the meaning is imbued in the recitation of the vibration itself. After years of daily chanting, the meaning emerges naturally to the practitioner. As Western practitioners of yoga, it is our duty to consciously and reverently re-contextualize these sacred teachings so that we may understand and apply them to our actual lives. In this course, we will learn both the Vedic meter and pitch accent, so that the ancient vibrational language of Sanskrit is not only upheld and heard, but actually felt by the practitioner.

When we explore the meaning of Patañjali’s text, we will acknowledge our current psychological standing—both individually and culturally—as a way to better appreciate these ancient Indian recordings. You will develop both a rooted understanding of each sūtra as well as the confidence to chant them properly in their mother tongue, Sanskrit.

We will focus on the middle/end of Samādhi Pada: 1.19-1.36. No prior Yoga Sūtra study necessary.

This course is guided by Julia.

10 Yalla Yoga School credits.

Each class will include:

• Theory

• Practice

Details:

• Six 60-minute pre-recorded sessions

• You can send me questions via email and I will respond within 72 hours

• Private Facebook Group dedicated to Yalla Yoga students