Yoga Teachers Guide to the Yoga Sutra

Total Number of CPD Hours on Course: 42

Name of Main Teacher:  Swami Saradananda

Dates of upcoming course(s): TBA

A 14-week online development training for yoga teachers who wish to engage deeply with Patañjali’s classic treatise on Yoga

Of all the paths of yoga, Patañjali’s approach is the most scientific and readily applicable to modern life-styles. The precepts of this ancient science were compiled and explained by Patanjali Maharishi, probably 400-500 CE. Never has the human mind been so thoroughly analysed. Never has the process of eliminating human frailties been so succinctly presented. The methods of Patanjali’s Yoga are profoundly timeless. They present you with powerful tools with that can help you to alleviate many of the stresses imposed by modern competitive society.

What will teachers get out of this course?

  • An in-depth analysis of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

  • Ways that you and your students can use the teachings of the Yoga Sutra to go more deeply into your practice

  • Bring your practice off the mat and into your daily life

This course balances student-teacher contact hours with personal practice

  • 14 live classes (2 hours each) + recorded for further viewing

  • Extensive hand-outs (PDF)

  • Weekly reading assignments

  • Suggested daily personal practice

  • Extensive written notes and teaching aids

Why should you sign up for this Course

  • You will be part of a community of yoga teachers who are interested in taking yoga beyond their mat and into the world

  • You will have ample opportunity to exchange ideas with your fellow yoga teachers. This is  to find positive ways to deal with the some of the philosophical challenges present in the teaching of yoga.

  • Mentoring by Swami Saradananda, a senior yoga teacher who holds an MA degree from SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), University of London

  • Introduction to the philosophical aspects of yoga teaching

  • Application of Patanjali’s teachings to daily life

Requirements for participation in course

  • Completion of yoga teachers’ training or yoga therapy training

  • Computer access, basic computer literacy and an email address

To register: bank transfer of non-refundable deposit of £150. The balance is due 3 weeks before the start of the course.

Classes are small, as the number of participants is limited. Please book as soon as possible.

Refunds and transfers: once payment has been made, there are no refunds. However, you may transfer to another session of the course, with a £100 transfer fee. You must complete the course within 3 years.

Attendance: students are expected to attend all classes via Zoom (with their camera on) and be absent only with good reason. If you are unable to attend because of illness or other emergency, you must inform the tutor before the start of the class.

Students are required to register 80% attendance at live sessions– the first class cannot be missed. If any live class is missed, it is the student's responsibility to make up the content by viewing the recorded sessions and submitting a detailed written summary.

Course participants who do not reach the required attendance will not receive their certificate until they have made up the time/practice and assignments and this may incur additional costs. If you miss more than three live classes, you will be expected to transfer to a subsequent session of the course, with payment of the £100 transfer fee.

Homework will consist of a weekly submission of a completed practice diary as well as reading assignments.

Students will evaluate their own practice and progress through their own reflective self-assessment and are requested to keep a reflective diary showing learning progress.

Code of conduct: students and teachers are expected to act with mutual respect and kindness. Students are expected to set up their camera in a quiet area, where they will not be distracted by other members of their household, including pets and children. It is best to wear loose comfortable clothing (no jeans).

Students are requested to not bring their phones to class (not simply put them into silent mode). No eating during class, please.

Module 1

  • Understanding Yoga within the context of the six Classical Schools of Indian Philosophy

  • Who was Patanjali?

  • What is a ‘sutra’?

  • Introduction to the Yoga Sutra

Module 2

  • Introduction to chapter 1: Samadhi Pada (51 sutras) which deals with the general theory of Yoga. It discusses how the mind functions and the various levels of samadhi, the super-conscious state.

  • vs1.1 to 1.3: defining Yoga, in the classical sense

Module 3

  • vs 1.4 to 1.11: What is the mind; ordinary consciousness

  • vs 1.12 to 1.16  How can you attain peace of mind?

Module 4

  • verses 1.17 to 1.29: What is samadhi?

  • verses 1.30 to 1.32: What difficulties might you encounter?

  • vs1.33 to 1.51: How to overcome the obstacles to peace?

Module 5

  • Introduction to chapter 2: Sadhana Pada (55 sutras) which gives the method, the practical aspects of yoga

  • vs 2.1 to 2.2: yoga of action (kriya yoga)

Module 6

  • vs 2.3 to 2.11: overcoming the seeds of suffering

  • vs 12-16: karma and klesha

  • vs 2.17 to 2.28: What are the levels of being?

  • Purusha and Prakriti

Module 7

  • vs 2.28: introduction to the eight limbs (ashtanga) of classical yoga

  • vs 2.29-2.39: Yama – guidelines for relating to others

  • ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, aparigraha

Module 8

  • vs 2.40-2.45: Niyama – relating to yourself

  • sauca, santosha, tapas, swadhyaya, ishwara-pranidhana

Module 9

  • vs 2.46-2.48: asana

  • vs 2.49-2.53 pranayama

  • vs 2.54-2.55 pratyahara

Module 10

  • Introduction to chapter 3: Vibhuti Pada (56 sutras) deals with the last three limbs of ashtanga yoga: dharana, dhyana and samadhi

  • vs 3.1 to 3.8: what is self-mastery and what steps can you take towards achieving it

  • vs 3.9 to 3.15: what are the stages of transformation?

Module 11

  • vs 3.16 to 3.55: Patanjali describes many of the siddhis, the psychic powers that are attained through the protracted practice of meditation. They come as the natural by-products of your yoga practice

Module 12

  • Introduction to chapter 4: Kaivalya Pada (34 sutras) deals with liberation or independence. It discusses how the full-blown yogi perfects the ability to distinguish the Real from the unreal. He/she is serene and no longer affected by the three gunas (qualities) of nature

  • vs 4.1: where do siddhis come from?

Module 13

  • vs 4.2 to 4.8: what is the human psyche?

  • fs 4.9 to 4.26: what is the basic nature of a human being, your relationship to life, and the quality of spiritual liberation

Module 14

  • vs 4.27 to 4.28: what can you do if you lose this state of liberation?

  • vs 4.29 to 4.34: what is ultimate liberation.

  • Summation of the course

  • Extensive bibliography and suggestions for continued study