JAN 208 - Yoga for Conscious Living and Transformation

Type: Hybrid.

On-Campus Dates in the Soda Center:

Thurs, 1/4: Orinda
Fri, 1/5: Orinda
Mon, 1/8: Moraga
Tues, 1/9: Orinda
Tues, 1/16: Orinda
Wed, 1/17: Claeys
Mon, 1/22: Orinda
Tues, 1/23: Orinda

Course Meeting Days & Times: MTThF, 12PM - 2:30PM

Instructor(s): Subrahmanyan, Saroja

Email: ssubrahm@stmarys-ca.edu

Fee: $100

Course Description: About 37 million Americans are estimated to be practicing yoga for improved physical fitness and stress relief. Yoga, a practical philosophy, offers transformative benefits that go much beyond these benefits. It offers a map for navigating life more consciously instead of moving along on autopilot. Yoga philosophy is based on an eight-step path with the first two steps (called yama and niyama), offering ethical guidelines for building a strong foundation for our lives. Mahatma Gandhi, who was inspired by yoga philosophy, particularly stressed two of the ethical principles; ahimsa (non-violence) and satya (truthfulness). All ten ethical guidelines will be explored in this course. Other steps on this path provide guidance for physical comfort, breathing, concentration and meditation. These steps are not practiced linearly but together and consistently so we can lead healthy, peaceful, joyful and useful lives. The purpose of this course is to provide participants with an overview of the discipline, and the opportunity to experience, reflect and document the transformative effects of this holistic practices even during the brief January term. Participants will also read books on how others applied these ancient teachings, hear the perspectives of experienced yoga practitioners and experience guest workshops. Participants should note that this class is not an exercise class aimed at giving a workout. It is a course on applying yoga philosophy that will enable one to start or progress on the journey of self-discovery and transformation. This is a hybrid course, with students meeting remotely via Zoom (synchronously) for 40% of the time. There may be a session in a studio setting outside the campus.

Reading List

1. “Yoga and the Path of the Urban Mystic,” 4th edition, by Darren Main; CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 2002. [Kindle version available].

2. The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice, Deborah Adele, On-Word Bound Books. 2009. ISBN: 978-0-9744706-4-1 [Kindle version available].

3. “The Healing Path of Yoga: Time-Honored Wisdom and Scientifically Proven Methods that Alleviate Stress, Open Your Heart and Enrich Your Lives,” by Nischala Joy Devi; Create Space Independent Publishing Platform; 2nd edition (2000).

In week-1, only the first class on 1/03/2024 will be online. Exact dates of the online sessions for the remaining weeks will be posted in the syllabus about two weeks before start of term. Please email ssubrahm@stmarys-ca.edu with questions.

Prerequisites & Notes
None

Credits: 3