The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali

The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is a 1500 year old text that is generally considered to be the scriptural authority of the practice and philosophy of Yoga. It is the classical treatise on the yogic understanding of the human condition, including the mind and consciousness, the cause of human suffering, and the practices that can lead one to know and rest in one’s true nature.

In this course, we will examine the historical context of this text, and consider its relevance to modern postural yoga. We will discuss each chapter of the Sutra, as well as chant the entire text (call and response) over the span of the four sessions. Through understanding the historical and philosophical context of the text, the meaning of the Yoga Sutra as it was intended by Patanjali will be illuminated. From there, we will be in a better position to see how we can relate to it today as modern practitioners, and benefit from its careful study.