There exists at present a good deal of misconception with regard to the practices of yoga. Yoga philosophy is needed to get linked with tradition by a direct reference to the treatises. This class will allow students to understand and appreciate the classical literature of Yoga. The philosophy of yoga is an integrated view of life.

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali has provided a very scientific and practical exposition of the philosophy and practice of yoga. One very important section of the book describes what is commonly called Ashtanga yoga, or Eight Limbs of yoga, which provides practical guidelines for experiencing the ultimate state of consciousness.

This is a classic text on Hatha Yoga written by Yogi Swatmarama. The instructions given in the text are very useful in understanding the mechanics of the body and channelizing the energies to establish harmony. By bringing balance between sun (Ha) and moon (Tha), one can prepare for a higher possibility.

Gheranda samhita and Hathayoga Pradipika are two of the older main Hatha Yoga texts available in India. Dated back a few centuries, they are still studied today to understand the therapeutic aspect of Hatha Yoga. The Hathayoga practices described in Gheranda Samhita are known as Ghatayoga, which describes the human body as a clay pot and the practices of Hathayoga as the means by which one molds the clay, seals the cracks in the wet clay and solidifies the pot through the fire of one's own disciplined practice.

The Upanishads (defined as "to sit with one's self" or "to sit in the presence of the master") are the insights gained by the yogis. It discusses liberation through wisdom. This is the end portion of the Vedas, and the subject of yoga is presented in a conversational form. It is very easy to comprehend the discussion of yoga through the Upanishads. The quality of discrimination between real and unreal unfolds during the study of the Upanishads. Studying the Upanishads helps the practitioner to implement yoga in their daily lives. A study of the Upanishads inspires the question of, Ko Ham? Who am I?

This class provides a meticulous understanding of Anatomy and Physiology of the human organ systems key to one's yogic practice and Relation between Human anatomy and physiology with chakra and kosha, with a brief discussion of the remaining organ systems. The correlation between the physiology and the psycho-philosophical nature of the human organ systems is also discussed.

Mantra is a word or sound repeated to aid concentration in meditation. The reverberating sound harmonious the body and mind. Mantra is a word or sound repeated to aid concentration in Meditation. The reverberating sound harmonious the body and mind. Mantras are repetitive hymns that benefit Yoga Practice and assist the Yogi to awaken the Self and extend the meditative and practical aspects of Yoga.

Asanas will be presented in an advanced form. Proper postural alignment in each asana is emphasized.

Cleansing practices

• Kapalbhati

• Neti

• Tratak

Dynamic Yoga postures

• Pawanmuktasana series

• Marjari asana

• Vyaghrasana

• Surya namaskar

Standing Yoga postures

• Tadasana

• Utkatasana

• Padhastasana

• Trikonasana

• Parivrtta Trikonasana

• Parshwakonasana

• Parivrtta parshwakonasana

• Veerbhadrasana I

• Veerbhadrasana II

• Veerbhadrasana III

• Ardh chandrasana

• Parsvottanasana

• Prasarita padottanasana

Inverted Yoga postures

• Sirsasana

• Sarvangasana

• Halasana

• Pincha mayurasana

• Adho mukha vrkshasana

Back bend Yoga postures

• Bhujangasana

• Shalabhasana

• Dhanurasana

• Matsyasana

• Ushtrasana

• Kandhrasana

• Chakrasana

• Gomukhasana

• Setu asana

• Rajkapotasana

Forward bend Yoga postures

• Paschimotanasana

• Janusirasana

• Ardh padam paschimotanasana

• Padprasar paschimotanasana

• Adho mukha svanasana

Twisting Yoga postures

• Ardh matsyendra asana

• Parivritti janu sirshasana

• Kati chakrasana

Balancing Yoga postures

• Vrkshasana

• Bak dhayan asana

• Mayurasana

• Natraj asana

• Garudasana

Relaxation Yoga postures

• Shashankasana

• Makarasana

• Savasana

Breathing Yoga postures

• Yogic Breathing

• Nadi shodhan

• Kapalbhati

• Bhastrika

• Ujjayi Bhramari

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Meditative Yoga postures

• Sukhasana

• Padamasana

• Vajrasana

Meditational Yoga postures

• Breath awareness

• Tratak

• Yog nidra

• Mantra chanting

• Yantra drawing

Yog Mudras

• Anjali Mudra

• Chin Mudra

• Jnana Mudra

• Poorna Mudr