Launching this fall: Putting It All In Context

Most of us are called back to Yoga class again and again because all this moving and breathing makes us feel good. But have you ever wondered why?

Putting It All In Context looks to the history of Yoga, its anatomies and most revered texts for answers because it is only through understanding the context of what we are doing that we really begin to understand why it works so well.  Think of it as the difference between knowing how to follow a recipe vs. understanding why we put those particular ingredients together so that they taste good.  Every session includes opening and closing practices designed to bring the ideas into your body, not just your head.

Putting It All In Context transforms material that could be dry and academic or purely intellectual and abstract, making it understandable, engrossing and meaningful to you and your life. Imagine sitting around with some close friends having the best kind of conversation about the topics that mean the most to you. It's like that. 

This series is hosted on the Teachable platform*.  Move through the material at your own pace: you are encouraged to watch, practice, reflect and re-watch so the material has time to percolate in your system. Handouts are included with each session.

The series explores three main topics:

  • The historical context of Yoga

  • Four Yogic Anatomies (the pancamaya and pancavayu models, Hatha Pradīpikā and Samkhyā)

  • Patanjali’s Yogasūtra

The complete program fulfils the Yoga Alliance requirement for Yoga Philosophy at the 200-hr YTT level. Participating YTT programs have the option to schedule a live meeting with program presenter, Robyn Love, as a follow-up session with their trainee cohort: Robyn will tailor the discussion to meet the needs of your group.

Here is a detailed breakdown of what you can expect for each topic:

The Historical Context of Yoga: one 2-hr session.

  • Experience a short led practice to open and close the session.

  • Explore where Yoga falls within the history of Vedic culture in ancient India and why it came into being.

  • Understand the purpose of Yoga from a historical context.

  • Be introduced to why Sanskrit is the language of Yoga and how and why to use it in class.

  • Learn some practical ways to honour Yoga’s roots in your practice.

Introduction to Yogic Anatomies: four 2-hr sessions (Pancamaya model, Pancavayu system, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Samkhya).

  • Experience a short led practice to open or close each session.

  • Learn the framework of each of these models of understanding the human system and how they relate to Yoga.

  • Be introduced to important concepts in each model.

  • Learn some ways to incorporate these concepts into your personal practice and teaching.

Introduction to Patanjali’s Yoga Sūtra: five 2-hr sessions (overview of the text and one session on each chapter).

  • Experience a short led practice to open each session.

  • Explore the structure of sūtra-s in general and how this structure supports the meaning.

  • Be introduced to important concepts in each chapter.

  • Learn some ways to incorporate these concepts into your personal practice.

Putting It All In Context will be available this fall.

*Students will have 24/7 access to individual modules for six months. People who purchase the entire series will have access for a year.