Yoga Philosophy Discussions:
The Sacred Texts
The Sacred Texts of Yoga are the backbone of Yoga Tradition and a crucial area of study for transformation through Yoga. When you engage with Yogic texts you broaden and refine your understanding of what Yoga is and how to practice and experience it. The Texts serve to deepen and enrich the concepts and principles you are already familiar with.
In our Yoga Philosophy Discussions: The Sacred Texts Chase Bossart teaches from many of Yoga’s most foundational materials including Bhagavad Gītā, Haṭha Yoga Pradīpika, Rāmāyaṇa and many others (Patañjali’s Yogasūtra is a separate course). Drawing on traditional teaching methods, over three decades of personal study and teaching experiance, and a playful sense of humor Chase holds space to explore each concept with his students at a pace that allows for thorough discussion and applicable contemplation.
Class Details
When: Thursdays 6:15pm PT/9:15pm ET
Duration: 60-minute classes
What’s Included:
Weekly Class and Discussion
Class Recordings
Handouts
A Private Online Discussion Forum where participants can share and reflect with one another outside of class time.
Location: Student Portal.
Elevate Your Practice
Everything you need to know about how and why Yoga Practice is so powerful is written in Yogic Texts.
Start Living Your Yoga
A philosophical understanding of Yoga allows for your practice to become a more integrated part of your life.
Learn from a True Student
Chase Bossart has been a serious student of Yoga and Philosophy for over 30 years. Sharing what he has learned is his greatest Teacher.
How this Course Works:
During each weekly discussion Chase Bossart will translate lines and passages of Sacred Texts (currently the Bhagavad Gītā), and provide context and meaning for what is being presented while guiding discussion towards collective and individual insight. It is with great intention that this course is taught in a similar manner to how these texts are traditionally transmitted from teacher to student. Discussion and personal insights are welcomed and encouraged! This is a course where you go to work things out and chew on big ideas and concepts.
Why Study the Yogasūtras?
Patanjali’s Yogasūtras are a seminal yogic text. When you study the sūtras you are embarking on an intellectual journey that opens a world of understanding into not only why Yoga has the potential to bring about profound personal transformation, but how. Incorporating textual studies into your Yoga practice is essential to unlocking Yoga’s true potential.
Do I Need To Start Studying The Yogasūtras At The Beginning?
The Beginning is Now.
Yogic texts were traditionally passed down through oral teaching traditions. As such, each individual line or passage exists on its own as much as it is part of a whole. As westerners it may be helpful to think of this as something similar to passages in the Bible.
As such, you are encouraged to start your study of the Sacred Texts no matter where the course is. It may take a few sessions for things to start to click but they will and they do. You also have access to a year’s worth of previous discussion recordings that you can review at any time as you start to absorb the class discussion.
Are There Any Required Course Materials?
All needed materials and handouts are included in your course enrollment. Outside of that it’s entirely up to you. Some students keep in depth notes while others prefer to simply listen and let the material wash over them. We even know of students who have formed study groups and of others who listen to the same class discussion repeatedly throughout the week as a way of review.
In short, all that’s required is that you show up in the way that suits you best.
Faculty: Chase Bossart
Executive Director of the Yoga Well Institute, Chase has been studying Yoga, Sanskrit, eastern philosophy, and religion for nearly 30 years.
In 1991, as part of a study abroad program in Chennai, India, Chase took a semester-long course on Yoga Theory with Mr. TKV Desikachar that essentially set the direction for the rest of his life. He became a private student of Mr. Desikachar, who was his mentor and teacher for 20+ years. During that time, he spent a total of four and a half years in Chennai studying with him, his family, and his senior teachers. He also had the opportunity to serve as a teacher at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. From 2006-2012, he was the Director of Therapy and Education at the non-profit Healing Yoga Foundation in San Francisco.
His depth of knowledge on yoga and meditation is shared through practical, humorous anecdotes that translate to everyday life.
