Introduction to Patanjaliā€™s Yoga Sutras with Anat Geiger
Part one: The first two chapters and the 8 Limbs of Yoga
€69.00
4-hour online course
Interactive comments platform
Downloadable course material
Introduction to the teachings of Patanjali
Learn about the context and the fundamental concepts of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
The first two chapters of Yoga Sutras demystified
Explore the first two chapters of Patanjali’s Sutras: Samadhi-pada and Sadhana-pada.
The 8 Limbs of Yoga - Yamas and Niyamas
Discover the message and purpose of each Limb of Yoga and how to integrate them into your practice and life.
Course structure
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali were compiled somewhere between 50 BCE and 300 CE and its four chapters describe the philosophy of 'yoga' as experienced and practiced in that era.
However, its Sutras (aphorisms) remain as relevant today as they ever were.
In essence, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali can be described as a kind of ‘guidebook’ which offer lessons to the modern-day yogi on the purpose of yoga and how to live a more meaningful life.
In this course, Anat explores and reflects upon the most pivotal Sutras from the first two chapters: Samadhi-pada and Sadhana-pada. She invites you to contemplate the purpose of practicing yoga beyond Asana, as a road towards self-realization.
Some concepts you will uncover:
- The ‘goal’ of yoga and the idea of yoga as a science
- Yoga as a theistic practice, yet not a religion
- Vrittis or distractions from the yogic journey and tools to deal with them
- Gunas or the three aspects of the magnifested world
- Kleshas or the five kinds of pain we experience
- The 8 Limbs of Yoga
The course starts with a short introduction of basic yoga philosophy concepts and finishes with a short chanting session. If you’d like to learn more about yoga philosophy in general, please take a look at Anat’s Fundamentals of Yoga Philosophy course.
Course outline
- A brief recap of some basic yoga philosophy terminology and concepts
- An introduction to the Sutras
- The ‘goal’ of yoga and the tools to achieve it
- Yoga as a science
- The first four Sutras
- A reflection on Vrittis and tools to deal with them
Gunas: three aspects of the manifested world
- Yoga as a theistic practice, yet not a religion
- Obstacles to achieving the goal of yoga and their remedy
- Short chanting session
.
- A look at the second chapter as a whole
- Reflection on austerity, self-study and the yoga of action
- Kleshas or the 5 kinds of pain we experience as human beings
- A reflection on why we should not aim to satisfy all of our desires
- Exploration of further Sutras and reflection on Karma
- The importance of differentiating the Seer and the Seen
The Yamas:
- Ahimsa
- Satya
- Asteya
- Brahmacharya
- Aparigraha
- The Niyamas
- Asana
- Pranayama
- Pratyahara
- Dharana
- Dhyana
- Samadhi
- Short chanting session
Meet your teacher:
Anat Geiger
Anat Geiger threaded science, spirituality, philosophy teachings and chakra theory through her teaching, combining Yang elements of strength and rhythm with Yin elements of kindness and silence. She trained teachers since 2008 and established one of the first Functional Yoga Teacher Trainings in the world. Anat was a student of - and assistant to - Paul and Suzee Grilley, who, in Anat’s words, 'changed everything with their mind-blowing science, profound spirituality, irresistible humour and ever-present poetry'.
Anat passed away in May 2022. Her spirit, deep wisdom, and joy for life continue to inspire us and we will be forever grateful to her for being part of the EkhartYoga community for almost 10 years.
