The Study Module: Philosophy + history

Course Overview

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The Study Module begins with short introductory lectures on Sanskrit and mythology, giving you a foundation for engaging with the language, stories, and symbolism you’ll encounter along the way. From there, we’ll move through six chapters, each dedicated to a different period in yoga’s history. Each chapter brings together engaging lectures and visual presentations that make complex philosophical ideas accessible, a closer study of a key text from that period, and a guided practice (often meditation) rooted in the teachings we’ve explored. The intention is to move beyond simply learning about yoga’s history and create opportunities to experience its teachings for yourself.

The Course Syllabus Includes:
Intro to Mythology
Intro to Sanskrit
The Vedic Period
Gāyatrī Mantra practice
The Upaniṣads + Śramaṇa Movements
Foundations of Buddhism + The Dhammapada
The Sanskrit Epics
Japa Meditation Practice
Classical Yoga + ṣaḍ-darśanas (the six schools)
Tantra Overview + Nondual Śaiva Tantra
Haṭha Yoga
Subtle Body
Final Practices
Final Quiz

‍There will be a handful of reading assignments throughout the course, but you won’t need to purchase every text we explore or read any of them cover to cover. The lectures will introduce each text’s key themes, concepts, and historical context, while our readings will focus on selected verses, stories, and chapters. This approach allows us to engage meaningfully with a wide range of texts without feeling overwhelmed by the volume of material.

major texts addressed in the course include: The Vedas, Upaniṣads, Dhammapada, Mahābhārata, Bhagavad Gītā, Rāmāyaṇa, Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras, Śiva Sūtras, Pratyabhijñāhṛdayam, Vijñāna Bhairava, Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā + Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā