Yoga Philosophy Discussions:
Patanjali’s Yogasūtra
with Chase Bossart
The Yoga Well Institute's Yoga Philosophy Discussion Courses allow students to discover the depth and breadth of Yoga’s most sacred texts. In the Patanjali’s Yogasūtra Discussion course you will discuss and discover the many meanings and impacts of each individual sūtra while contextualizing how the sūtras inform and shed light on the practice of Yoga. This course is driven by scholarly discussion, over time, so that the concepts and ideas covered have time to integrate into your life and practice.
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.
Expert Guidance
Learn directly from Chase Bossart, a seasoned yoga philosophy teacher, with 30 years of experience.
Deep Understanding
Gain profound insights into Patanjali’s Yogasūtra, beyond surface-level knowledge.
Transformative Learning
Experience personal growth and transformation through the wisdom of yoga philosophy.
How this Course Works:
During each weekly discussion Chase Bossart will translate the sūtras, word by word, and provide context and meaning for what is being presented while guiding discussion towards collective and individual personal insight. It is with great intention that this course is taught in a similar manner to how the sūtras are traditionally transmitted from teacher to student and regardless of where the course is in the text all are encouraged to join as they are where they are.
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.
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.
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 sūtra 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 Yogasūtras no matter where the course is in the text. 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.
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.
