Yoga Studies (YGST)

An introduction to the Devanagari script and basic vocabulary and grammar of Sanskrit, the classical language of Yoga thought and practice.

An overview of anatomy and physiology from the Western perspective and Ayurvedic theories of the subtle body, health, and wholeness.

This course will investigate basic methodological approaches to the academic study of Yoga, with an emphasis on the place of Yoga within theological discourse. It will include a bibliographic survey of primary and secondary sources and engagement with key select resources. Sikh and Christian approaches to Yoga will be included.

A close study and discussion of the Yoga Sūtras of Patanjali, the Bhagavad Gītā, select Upanishads, the Sāmkhya Kārikā, the Yogavāsistha, and other classical literature.

A continuation of Sanskrit grammar, with special attention given to verses from the Bhagavad Gītā which set forth the primary practices of philosophical and meditational Yoga, including the ways of Knowledge, Action, and Devotion.

In this course students will complete their study of Sanskrit grammar with special attention given to Patanjali's Yoga Sūtra.

This course will trace the history of Hatha Yoga through examination of classical texts such as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Gheranda Samhita, and the Siva Samhita, with particular attention to practice applications. Requires demonstration of student teaching skills and commitment to a personal yoga practice.

Yoga's relationship with Buddhism will be explored with an emphasis on Vipassana, Tibetan Buddhism, and Zen.

This course will immerse students in the study of Jainism, known for its emphasis on nonviolence, through philosophy, ethics, cosmology, and art. The course will include Jain traditions of Yoga including Preksha Meditation.

Yoga entered European and North American consciousness following Swami Vivekananda's lecture at the Parliament of the World's Religions in 1893. In the 20th century, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Sivananda, Swami Krishnamacharya, and many others introduced large groups of people to the principles and practices of Yoga. Buddhist and mindfulness meditations became popular in the mid-20th century through the work of Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzburg, and others. The course explores social change inspired by the Dharmic Traditions.

This course will expand upon YGST 6010 Health Science and Yoga I including integration of concepts of both modern science and the subtle body. The potential therapeutic benefits of yoga practices including asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, mudra, as well as vihara (lifestyle modification) and applied yoga philosophy will be discussed. Students will obtain skills in critically evaluating scientific Yoga research and will create an evidence-informed yoga program for a specific client population.

This course provides students with skills for working with individual yoga therapy clients. Basic principles of the therapeutic relationship will be covered including communication skills and personal well-being. Client intake, breath assessment, motivational interviewing, and yogic counseling will be covered, and students will obtain supervised practice in these skills.

In addition to classroom education, students will participate in mentored Yoga therapy practicum. Students will obtain experience and skills in working one on one with clients and/or in small therapeutic groups. Students will meet regularly with the instructor to discuss client assessment, therapy plans, and personal and professional development as a Yoga therapist.

This course will explore the inner or mystical life as articulated in the life and practice of various religious traditions. It will begin with a study of a modern classic: The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James, the pre-eminent American philosopher and psychologist as well as the key ideas of Carl Jung. The course will include the study of Jewish and Islamic mystical traditions, as well as key writers in the emerging field of contemplative Christian ecology. Yoga and mysticism will be examined through the writings of 20th century philosopher Sri Aurobindo.

This course will guide the students as they write their final thesis. The course will aid them through the process by introducing research methods and writing techniques in order to complete a clear final thesis or research project. Students will be able to help one another as different phases of their given projects will be shared in class.