Sundays 11 a.m. – noon (specific dates only)    

January 10 and 24th
February 7th and 21st
March 7th and 21st
April 4th
May 2nd

Instructor: Fred Smith,
Professor or Religious Studies
University of Iowa

This is the third year of our Yoga Sutra study group. It is not necessary to have attended the previous lectures and discussions in order to attend now. We will begin this year in the middle of the second of its four chapters (2.28), with the section on Patanjali’s eightfold path of yoga (ashtanga yoga), which is the heart of Patanjali’s practical teachings on Yoga. We will study the Yamas and Niyamas (the external and internal purifications that Patanjali mentions), then move to the next three – asana (posture), pranayama (breath control), and pratyahara (sensory withdrawal). Finally, we will discuss the three final steps on the yogic path: dharana (fixing the mind), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (the blissful state of oneness). This is quite a tall order for one semester, or for one year. Thus we will move slowly and carefully through this fascinating terrain. Any discussion of the Yoga sutras is enlightening, and everyone is invited to attend.

There is no doubt that these are essential sutras to have a better understanding of and will be of great assistance in your yoga practice. Please bring a copy of BKS Iyengar’s Light on Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and any other interpretation you may have, to the class.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are widely regarded as the most authoritative Sanskrit historical text on Yoga. It was written probably in the third century CE, and remains widely studied and used today. B. K. S. Iyengar (and virtually all other yoga teachers) refer to it regularly for guidance with respect to both the theoretical understanding of yoga and yoga practice.

The classes will be participatory, so please come in an interested and inquisitive frame of mind. I'm certain that we can turn this learning experience into a joyful practice of yoga.

Class fee: $100

RSVP nfootner@avalon.net
Note: We will meet at Friendship Yoga, 1231 Gilbert Ct.