Māhābhārata, Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayāna Advanced Training Module

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The Epics give many clues on integrating spiritual attitudes and values into daily life experiences. This program will emphasize “growing your yoga” through an integration of the wisdom from the classical Epics: the Ramayāna, the Māhābhārata, and the Bhagavad Gita. You will read the texts and examine their messages. You will learn how to apply the themes in your life, and into tools to use within a yogāsana class.

Techniques
Exploration of āsana, prānāyāma, mudrā, mantra, and marma point work will be deepened as an expanding selection of practices are introduced. Asana are chosen that represent the deities and the energetic components from the Epics.

Methodology
We will explore incorporating language for asana to share the life teachings presented in Epics. We will learn ways to introduce of Jñana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Karma Yoga practices.

Western Anatomy and Yogic Anatomy
When put into challenging situations, the mind and nervous system can be compromised. The brain, central nervous system, parasympathetic and sympathetic systems, plus the visual and auditory senses will be explored. The dynamics of western anatomy will be combined with the eastern tools of calming the mind – responding to life instead of reacting to life.

Philosophy and Lifestyle
Each text study contains a world of analogies for life – on many different levels.
In the Mahābhārata, the lesson of taking a stand for your truths in life is expounded upon. We will see the interwoven fabric of life, karma, and death and dying.
The Bhagavad Gita introduces Marga or paths of yoga. We will explore integrating marga into daily life.
We will read supportive Vedic Upanishads to deepen your understanding of the yoga philosophy.
The Rāmāyaña will open doors of “marrying” our Spirit and Nature, represented by Rama and Sita.

Practicum
The wisdom of the Epics is taken to the mat as you will practice teach using language to integrate the dimensions of the yoga philosophy into traditional yoga classes.

Weekend Retreat / Bhakti Practice
The Rāmāyaña will be explored during a weekend retreat. The Rāmāyaña is about devotional practices and the reuniting of our separated self. Sadhana, meditation, posture clinics, and silent time are interwoven into discussions of the components of the Rāmāyaña.

Schedule
One 2.5 hours session each week & one weekend a month.
Begins Thursday - August 12th through December 16 - 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
No class on November 25th for Thanksgiving.

Weekends: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
August 21 - 22
September 18 - 19
October 16 - 17
November 5 - 7 Retreat Weekend - 6 p.m. on Friday through noon on Sunday
December 4 - 5

Total Hours
144 hours

Prerequisites
Applicants must have practiced yoga for at least two years. You must have completed the Contemplative Hatha Yoga program or equivalent, preferably from a Yoga Alliance registered school. The Director of the program will interview you to review your background before admittance to the program.

Cost of the Program
A $250 application fee is due with registration ($150 for continuing students). Students may arrange to pay the tuition through monthly payments.

Textbook Requirements
Recommended: CYTT Manual purchased at PranaYoga and Ayurveda Mandala.

Frawley, David, Dr. Subhash Ranade, and Dr. Avishash Lele, Ayurveda and Marma Therapy, 2003 Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.

Hansa, Mahābhārata, Bhagavad Gita, Rāmāyaña Workbook, self published.

Hirschi, Gertrud, Mudrā Yoga in Your Hands. 2000, Weisner Books, York Beach, Maine.

Kapit, Wynn and Lawrence Elson, Anatomy Coloring Book. 1977, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, New York.

Bhagavad Gita:
Yoganananda, Paramahansa, God Talks with Arjuna, The Bhagavad Gita. 1995, Self Realization Fellowship, Los Angeles, California

plus any other Bhagavad Gita
Highly recommended: Sargeant, Winthrop, The Bhagavad Gita. 1994, State University of New York Press, Albany, New York.

Choice for Mahābhārata:
Buck, William, Mahābhārata. 1973, University of California Press, Berkley, California

Dharma, Krishna, Mahābhārata, condensed version. 2000, Torchlight Publishing, Badger, California.

Highly Recommended choice: Subramaniam, Kamala, Mahābhārata. 1982, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay, India.

Choice for Rāmāyaña:
Buck, William, Rāmāyaña. 1976, University of California Press, Berkley, California

Highly Recommended choice: Subramaniam, Kamala, Rāmāyaña. Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan

Venkatesananda, The Concise Rāmāyaña of Valmiki. 1988, State University of New York Press, New York, New York.

Choice for Upanishads:
Easwaran, Eknath, The Upanishads. 1987, Nilgiri Press,Tomalas, California.

Prabhavananda, Swami, The Upanishads, Breath of the Eternal. 1947, Vedanta Press, Hollywood, California.