Minneapolis Yoga Workshop: Yoga Studies Program

yoga studies program

The Yoga Studies Program is a comprehensive series on the spiritual heritage of India. Yoga is a rich and multifaceted tradition, with many streams of deep experience, all flowing from and toward the ocean of consciousness and freedom from suffering.

The program covers the history of the development of yoga form the Vedas to the present day. It also covers the study of the primary texts of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutras, Vedanta and Tantra, and Hatha Yoga. The courses emphasize the development of yoga not just as a philosophy, but as a living practice.

The series is taught by William Prottengeier, director of the Minneapolis Yoga Workshop. More about William >

SHORT CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Please note: These courses may be taken in any order. See the longer class descriptions below by clicking on Learn more for each class.

Yoga Sutras: Two Tracks

Track 1. Overview of the Yoga Sutras
An introduction to the Yoga Sutras.
Upcoming class TBA
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Track 2. Yoga Sutras In-depth
An in-depth chapter by chapter, sutra by sutra immersion.The Overview of the Yoga Sutras class is recommended, but not required.
Four Saturdays: Upcoming class TBA
Samadhi Pada ~
Sadhana Pada ~
Vibhuti Pada ~
Kaivalya Pada ~
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Tantra/Hatha Yoga
An introduction to the classical texts, kundalini and chakras, and the development into the modern day practice.
Upcoming class TBA
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The Yoga Tradition
A survey class on the historical development of Yoga, its main texts and schools of practice.
Saturday, March 3
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Vedanta
An introduction to the Vedanta tradition, whose teachings on non-duality permeate all of the spiritual traditions of India.
Saturday, April 7
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Upanishads
A study of the 10 classical Upanishads. The development of the ritual Vedic traditon into the mystical/non-dual tradition of the forest yogis.
Saturday Feb. 18
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Bhagavad Gita
A beloved text worldwide. The classic dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna in which the yogas of Karma, Jnana, Raja and Bhakti are taught.
Upcoming class TBA
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YOGA STUDIES PROGRAM COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

The Yoga Tradition

A survey class on the historical development of Yoga, its main texts and schools of practice. The history of Yoga is a fascinating and sometimes confusing jumble of traditions. We will explore how the rich spiritual traditions of India evolved and influenced one another to become the forms of practice we know today.

Date and Time: Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 1:30–4:30 pm

Fee: $45

For more information: Contact William at mplsyogaworkshop@hotmail.com or (612) 253-5115.

Location: Minneapolis Yoga Workshop, Ivy Building, 2637 27th Ave. S., Suite 207, Minneapolis, MN 55406

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Upanishads

The seminar will explore the ten principal Upanishads. The Upanishads are philosophical texts, some three thousand years old, that express the realization of the Vedic rishis. This realization is the nondualistic equation of atman (self) and Brahman, the ground of Being. The predominant school of Hindu philosophy, Shankara’s Advaita Vedanta, has its source in the Upanishads.
The wisdom of the Upanishads permeates all of Yogic practice, and is essential to understanding our practice.

Text: Upanishads by Eknath Eswaren, Nilgiri Press, 2007

Date and Time: Saturday Feb. 18, 2012 from 1:30 to 5:00 pm

Fee: $55

For more information: Contact William at mplsyogaworkshop@hotmail.com or (612) 253-5115.

Location: Minneapolis Yoga Workshop, Ivy Building, 2637 27th Ave. S., Suite 207, Minneapolis, MN 55406

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Bhagavad Gita

We will study the Bhagavad Gita, India's most beloved spiritual text. It is a beautiful and heartfelt dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, and teaches us the essence of the path of yoga in the world. Together with the Upanishads and the Yoga Sutras they comprise the foundation of the teachings on Yoga.

Text: Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Eswaren, Nilgiri Press, 2007

Date and Time: Upcoming class TBA

Fee: $50

For more information: Contact William at mplsyogaworkshop@hotmail.com or (612) 253-5115.

Location: Minneapolis Yoga Workshop, Ivy Building, 2637 27th Ave. S., Suite 207, Minneapolis, MN 55406

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Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is a philosophical classic. It expresses the truth of the human condition, succinctly shows us how the mind works, and is a practical teaching on how to use the mind to end suffering. We will study each of the four chapters, one by one. The classes will be both lecture and, hopefully, lively discussion of your questions.

Text: The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali: A New Translation and Commentary by Chip Hartranft, Shambhala Classics, 2003. Read the entire book and then re-read Samadhi Pada prior to the first class.

Track 1: Overview of the Yoga Sutras
An introduction to the Yoga Sutras.Overview of the Yoga Sutras.

Day and Time: TBA
Fee: $45

Track 2: Yoga Sutras In-depth
An in-depth chapter by chapter, sutra by sutra immersion.
Four Saturdays: Upcoming class TBA
Samadhi Pada ~
Sadhana Pada ~
Vibhuti Pada ~
Kaivalya Pada ~

Fee: $175 for the full series or $45 per class

For more information: Contact William at mplsyogaworkshop@hotmail.com or (612) 253-5115.

Location: Minneapolis Yoga Workshop, Ivy Building, 2637 27th Ave. S., Suite 207, Minneapolis, MN 55406

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Vedanta

The Vedanta tradition was founded by the great Eighth Century master Shankaracharya. His teachings on non-duality permeate all of the spiritual traditions of India. We will look at the core teachings on advaita (not-two), Isvara and maya, and the different schools of Vedanta.

Time and Date: Saturday, April 7 from 1:30–4:30 pm

Fee: $45

For more information: Contact William at mplsyogaworkshop@hotmail.com or (612) 253-5115.

Location: Minneapolis Yoga Workshop, Ivy Building, 2637 27th Ave. S., Suite 207, Minneapolis, MN 55406

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Tantra and Hatha Yoga

Tantra has become a familiar but often misunderstood school of Yoga. Its teachings on kundalini, chakras, and subtle body energies form the basis of Hatha Yoga practice. This class will explore the two schools of practice and their relationship to one another.

Text: Tantra: The Path of Ecstasy by Georg Feuerstein, Shambhala, 1998

Date and Time: Saturday, May 19 from 1:30 – 5:00 pm

Fee: $55

For more information: Contact William at mplsyogaworkshop@hotmail.com or (612) 253-5115.

Location: Minneapolis Yoga Workshop, Ivy Building, 2637 27th Ave. S., Suite 207, Minneapolis, MN 55406

• Registration Form
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Yoga Studies Program