The transcendent wisdom of the Sutras integrates the sciences of awakening body, mind, breath, soul, spirit, and creator. The word ‘Sutra’ means “thread”. The text is called the Yoga Sutra because it threads together all the diverse teachings of Yoga into a single body of knowledge. It is in this spirit that we will explore the teachings of the Sutras by unfolding the essential teachings of Tantra, Veda, and Classical Yoga that Patanjali weaves throughout the text.

While the Sutras appear to be very straightforward and practical, its deeper teachings, and the keys to practicing the techniques that Patanjali presents, are hidden. To experience the extraordinary revelation of Patanjali's text requires the guidance of an authoritative teacher to reveal its subtle teachings and hidden power.

Study of the Sutras accelerates the journey of personal growth as it deepens understanding of the Divine potential of Yoga and life. By illuminating the practices, challenges, purpose and potential of Yoga as a spiritual journey, the Sutras map the path to realizing life’s most precious treasures. 

 

This five-day practice and Teacher Training Intensive is open to all interested students.* Designed to enrich dedicated practitioners, aspiring teachers, or those already teaching, the training consists of two parts: Open Morning Practices and Afternoon Training Sessions.

 

Morning practices are open to all dedicated practitioners (participation in the training is not required). These 2 1/2 hour practices, led by Rod, are devoted to unfolding a particular teaching of the Yoga Sutras. Emphasizing direct experience these sessions survey the most relevant and powerful themes of the Sutras by weaving together dynamic Asana, Vinyasa, Pranayama, and meditation practices.

 

Afternoon Training sessions (open to all interested students – teachers and non-teachers alike) deepen our exploration through lectures, additional practices, and Q & A sessions. Our focus is to outline Yoga’s path toward self-mastery, reveal the Tantric threads found throughout the texts, and explore how Yoga can, if properly understood and practiced, remove those things that keep us from experiencing our highest aspirations. As a whole, the Training aims to exalt teachers and non-teachers alike by providing a vision to see oneself and one’s practice (and/or one’s students’ practice) with sublime understanding, compassion, and crystal-like clarity.

 

Some topics we cover include:

·  The Effect of Correct Practice and its Aim

·  The Tantra of the Yoga Sutras
·  Refinement of the Practices Outlined in the Sutras
·  The Secret Teaching of Pranayama
·  The Sacred Approach to Jappa (Mantra Repetition)
·  The Sublime Teaching on the Cave of the Heart
·  The Mastery of Asana according to Patanjali

·  Pranayama and the Mind

·  Patanjali’s Teaching on the Three Paths of Yoga (Mild, Medium and Intense)
·  The Secret Teaching on Omniscience

·  Practices for Self-Reflection and Self-Inquiry

·  Mysticism and Spirituality: Beyond the Psychology of the Yoga Sutras

 

Recommended Reading:

FOUR CHAPTERS ON FREEDOM by Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Please note: At the close of the training all participants are eligible to receive a certificate of completion. However, it is not rewarded on the basis of enrollment. Attendance at all sessions and completion of all contact hours is required. Certificates can only be issued on the basis of hours completed by the close of the training.