Living the Yoga Sutras
Practical Steps to Higher Awareness
Online: OCT 4 – NOV 18, 2023
Be a channel of higher consciousness for those in need
Experience the very essence of Yoga with Ananda’s unique approach to the Yoga Sutras. Under the expert guidance of Nayaswami Gyandev and Nayaswami Diksha, you’ll go beyond philosophy to understand more deeply how to access the higher realms of consciousness—and begin to do it. Paramhansa Yogananda’s action-oriented teachings will give you the practical tools to get there.
This course is an empowering blend of step-by-step methods, deep insights, clear direction, and support from both faculty and classmates.
6-Week Online, In-depth Course
Tuition: $299 (early bird) $350 (regular)
$100 additional for Ananda Yoga and Ananda Meditation teachers who wish to earn credit toward Level 2 certification.
Early bird: apply by Sept 18, pay by Sept 20
- 11 hours of live webinars, available to watch anytime
- 10 hours of on-demand video
- 15 hours of on-demand guided practices
- Wide variety of interactive experiences
- Extensive written & audio resources
- Personal feedback from faculty
- Lifetime access to course materials
“Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are a stirring cry to us to transcend all religious differences. Their basic message is, ‘Here are methods that can be tested and proved. You can know what God is from personal experience.’”
“Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are a stirring cry to us to transcend all religious differences. Their basic message is, ‘Here are methods that can be tested and proved. You can know what God is from personal experience.’”
— Demystifying Patanjali, by Swami Kriyananda
— Demystifying Patanjali, by Swami Kriyananda
You Will Learn How To:
- Take steps toward a direct experience of the highest states of awareness: Samadhi, Oneness, Divine Union.
- Get beyond the kleshas: the five causes of suffering and spiritual stagnation.
- Unlock the subtle keys of successful living—and successful spiritual striving—within Ashtanga Yoga, the Eightfold Path.
- Overcome the nine obstructing distractions and traps that plague the mind and hold you back.
You’ll begin to live this deep scripture as you explore, not only Ashtanga Yoga (“eight-limbed union,” symbolized here), but also many other powerful—and less well known—Sutras teachings.
- Experience directly the truths of Patanjali through meditation and pranayama (energy-control) techniques taught by Paramhansa Yogananda and Swami Kriyananda.
- Understand the subtler dimensions of “feeling” — some impede your progress, some help you, and some are blissful beyond words.
- Integrate the essence of Yoga into your daily life in ways that are profound and powerful, yet down-to-earth and practical.
- Take your practice of meditation to a deeper-than-ever level.
- Develop the attitudes—some will be familiar, some might not—that are essential for success in the spiritual life.
“People talk about calming the mind in order to meditate. Although that’s true, it’s not the main thing. It’s the heart that needs to be calmed in order to meditate. It’s the desires of the heart that agitate the mind.”
“People talk about calming the mind in order to meditate. Although that’s true, it’s not the main thing. It’s the heart that needs to be calmed in order to meditate. It’s the desires of the heart that agitate the mind.”
— Swami Kriyananda
— Swami Kriyananda
Course Activities
- Deepen your understanding via many mini-class videos with Gyandev & Diksha, as well as with Swami Kriyananda
- Connect with faculty and classmates through weekly “live” webinars (recorded for those who cannot attend)
- Interact with classmates to explore more deeply how to apply Patanjali’s teachings in your outer life as well as your inner life
- Experience the wisdom of Patanjali on ever-deeper levels through guided Sutra meditations
- Experiment with Patanjali’s teachings outwardly in daily life, and share what you learn
- Enjoy special Ananda Yoga video classes that help you develop the skills and qualities that the Sutras present
- Solidify your understanding of each lesson via review exercises
- Further explore key topics through supplemental materials, including audios by Swami Kriyananda
- Opportunities for a private meeting with Diksha or Gyandev
Although Patanjali was a man, artists often portray him with a snake-like lower body. This represents the Kundalini energy, which you must raise in order to attain the high states described in the Yoga Sutras.
You can engage in most course activities at times of day that are convenient for you; only the webinars are at fixed times.
Ananda Yoga and Ananda Meditation teachers who seek credit toward Level 2 certification will also create videos in which they teach certain aspects of the Sutras in conjunction with asana or meditation practice.
Course Materials
Main Textbook
Your main textbook is Demystifying Patanjali, by Swami Kriyananda, who is Ananda’s founder and a close, direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda. You’ll also receive special articles, audios, and videos by Paramhansa Yogananda, Swami Kriyananda, and other Ananda teachers.
Demystifying Patanjali is highly readable: clear, concise, practical, and deep. It will give you new insights into the universal truths that underlie all spiritual traditions, and how to experience them through the nonsectarian tools of Yoga.
We recommend that you buy Demystifying Patanjali before the course begins (the book is not included in the course tuition), and read as much of it in advance as time allows. With this link , you’ll receive a 30% discount on your preferred version: ebook or paperback.
“Patanjali was an enlightened master, writing from a state of realization as well as practical knowledge. Far more than mere philosophical speculation, the Sutras come from revealed knowledge and serve as a road map for those who would explore the realm of Self-realization.”
“Patanjali was an enlightened master, writing from a state of realization as well as practical knowledge. Far more than mere philosophical speculation, the Sutras come from revealed knowledge and serve as a road map for those who would explore the realm of Self-realization.”
— Nayaswami Jyotish, How to Meditate
— Nayaswami Jyotish, How to Meditate
Meet Your Instructors
Nayaswami Gyandev, PhD, E-RYT 500
Gyandev is director of the Ananda School of Yoga & Meditation. A Certified Online Instructor, he has been teaching online for more than 10 years. He is also director of Ananda Yoga worldwide and co-directs the Ananda Meditation Teacher Training programs (online and in person). He has been training teachers of yoga and meditation for more than 25 years.
Gyandev is a Kriyacharya (teacher of Kriya Yoga), and he is known for his clarity of presentation, deep insights, high energy, kindness, and humor. He has shared the yoga teachings for more than 35 years with people from all walks of life, and from all over the world. Swami Kriyananda asked Gyandev to write the forward for this course’s textbook, Demystifying Patanjali.
A co-founder of Yoga Alliance, Gyandev has authored four books (including Spiritual Yoga: Awakening to Higher Awareness) as well as numerous video and audio products. From his base at The Expanding Light Retreat in Northern California, he also teaches across the U.S., and in Canada, India, and Europe.
Nayaswami Diksha, E-RYT 500
Diksha is a senior faculty member of the Ananda School of Yoga & Meditation and E-RYT 500. An experienced online instructor, she directs both the online and the in-person versions of Ananda Spiritual Counseling Training, and she co-direct Ananda Meditation Teacher Training.
Diksha has been practicing and sharing the yoga teachings for more than 30 years, and training meditation and yoga teachers for more than 20 years. A powerful and dynamic woman of great warmth and humor, she is gifted in both intelligence and intuition. In addition to teaching online and at The Expanding Light Retreat in Northern California, she has shared yogic teachings across the U.S., and in Canada, India, and Europe.
A native Israeli, Diksha moved to the U.S. in 1990. She brings a broad background to her teaching—from physical wellness to Ayurveda to profound spiritual understanding. Above all, she awakens in her students their own inner wisdom and the will and clarity to make positive changes in their lives.
Special Guest Instructors
Nayaswami Pranaba & Nayaswami Parvati
Two of Ananda’s most widely travelled and experienced teachers, Pranaba and Parvati will each present briefly on a Yoga Sutras topic that they find particularly helpful or inspiring. They taught the in-person version of this Yoga Sutras course for a number of years, and we’re delighted that they will also share some of their penetrating insights in this online version.
FAQs
This course is open to everyone; no prior experience with the Yoga Sutras is required. Some meditation background is recommended, because both Patanjali and Yogananda placed strong emphasis on meditation.
Certified Ananda teachers seeking Level 2 Ananda certification must stay current, week by week, throughout the course. Everyone else can participate at any pace or level that they prefer. Those who wish to go at a pace slower than “one unit per week” will not be part of the small-team discussions or receive faculty feedback on journal entries, but everything else is the same.
Certified Ananda teachers who seek Level 2 Ananda certification should expect to spend 7–8 hours per week; some of that time is guided sadhana practice. For all others, full participation should take 3–5 hours per week, although as they are not seeking Level 2 certification, they can participate as much or as little as they like.
No, the course is always open. The only “live” events are webinars, which will take place 10:00–11:30 AM, Pacific Time on the following days: October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18.
Webinars will be recorded for the benefit of those who cannot participate “live.”
Yes, plentiful interaction is a best practice in online learning, and this course is built upon best practices. You’ll love being part of the supportive learning community that forms, as everyone interacts via discussions, Q&A forums, and webinars. Certified Ananda teachers who seek Level 2 Ananda certification will also practice teaching classmates online.
Yes, and we recommend it! The course website will open two weeks before the official start of the course. You can also buy your textbook, Demystifying Patanjali, by Swami Kriyananda (see “Course materials” above), and read as much of it as you can before the course begins. Pre-course reading is not required, but you’ll be happy that you did it.
The course website is easy to use, plus it offers “how to” instructions to help you.
Only certified Ananda teachers who seek Level 2 Ananda certification need to make and upload videos; that’s not difficult, but if you think you’ll need help, we recommend that you find a helper/tutor prior to the course.
No, not unless you are a certified Ananda teacher seeking Level 2 Ananda certification, are taking the six-week, in-depth version, and you have no computer (only a tablet or smartphone).
A paid Zoom account costs $15/month, and it would be needed during only one month of the course.
Yes. Certified Ananda teachers seeking Level 2 certification can receive 30+ hours of continuing education credit. Other RYTs can also receive credit, depending on the level at which they choose to participate; please discuss this in advance with Gyandev.
More Questions? Please email us.
“Just as a pure crystal reflects the true shape and color of objects that are placed before it, so the yogi’s mind, upon the neutralization of his vortices of emotion (in the heart), attains complete inner balance.”
“Just as a pure crystal reflects the true shape and color of objects that are placed before it, so the yogi’s mind, upon the neutralization of his vortices of emotion (in the heart), attains complete inner balance.”
— Yoga Sutra 1:41
— Yoga Sutra 1:41
What Our Graduates Say
Take Your Spiritual Life to the Next Level
Vrittis of chitta—whirlpools of your “feeling” nature—keep you tied to lower awareness, says Patanjali. Yogananda gives you tools to neutralize them, and thereby experience your true Self.
Credit toward Certification and Continuing Education
- Through this course, Ananda Yoga® and Ananda Meditation® teachers can earn credit toward Level 2 certification.
- Yoga Alliance RYTs can receive up to 30 hours (more in some cases) of continuing education credit. See final FAQ above.
Special Discounts
- Past attendees of The Essence of the Yoga Sutras at The Expanding Light Retreat can receive a 50% discount.
Living the Yoga Sutras
6-Week Online, In-depth Course
Dates: Oct 4 – Nov 18, 2023
Tuition: $299 (early bird) $350 (regular)
$100 additional for Ananda Yoga and Ananda Meditation teachers who wish to earn credit toward Level 2 certification.
Early bird: apply by Sept 18, pay by Sept 20
Keys to the Yoga Sutras: A Different Approach
Available anytime • Self-paced
“Keys to the Yoga Sutras” is primarily a self-study course, so you can proceed at your own pace.
It differs from “Living the Yoga Sutras” in that it has no guided practices, interactive group activities, or weekly practical experiments; it offers fewer resources; and it does not offer credit toward advanced certification for Ananda Yoga and Ananda Meditation teachers.
