Les 1
The Introduction: What Are The 8 Limbs Of Yoga?
In this first session, I present the structure of the course. We will chant Yoga Sutra 2:29 together, which lists the 8 limbs in detail. We will understand why the eight limbs can be compared to a tree. I will also give an overview of what we will learn together over the next few days.
Be open and let the eightfold path start a great transformative process in your life. You will then see yourself and the world around you with new eyes. Go deep inside and allow the transformation to unfold within you.
Les 2
Introduction To Yamas & The First Two: Ahiṁsā & Satya
In this module, I will introduce the first limb: Yamas. How do I relate to the world around me? Then, I will talk in detail about the first two Yamas: Ahiṁsā (non-violence) and Satya (truthfulness). We will chant the associated Yoga Sutras 2: 30/2: 35 and 2:36 together and give exercises for each topic in order to deepen them.
Les 3
Continuing With The Yamas: Asteya, Brahmacharya & Aparigraha
Continuing with the Yamas: Asteya (do not steal), Brahmacharya (correct use of your life energy) and Aparigraha (do not hoard / do not desire). We will chant the corresponding Sutras 2: 37/2: 38/2: 39 together and I will make some suggestions on how to practice each of them.
Les 4
Introduction To Niyamas & The First Three: Śaucha, Saṁtoṣa & Tapaḥ
I will talk about the second limb: Niyamas. How do I treat myself? Do I treat myself with care? We chant the related Sutra 2:32 and its meaning word by word. Then we take a look at Śaucha (purity), Saṁtoṣa (contentment/art of allowing) and Tapaḥ (practice/burning process/continuity). We will chant the corresponding sutras 2: 40/2: 42/2: 43 together and I will give exercises on each topic to full immersion.
Les 5
Continuing with Niyamas: Svādhyāyā and Īśvara-praṇidhānā
Continuing with Niyamas: Svādhyāyā (study of self and self-study) and Īśvara-praṇidhānā (devotion and trust). We will chant the corresponding Sutras 2: 44/2: 45 together and I will give suggestions on how to practice the two.
Les 6
Āsana: The Comfortable Seat
The third limb: Āsana - the seat and our connection to the earth. How is harmony created in our physical body? How is your relationship with your body? We chant Yoga Sutra 2: 46/2: 47 and reflect on it. I will give some reflections on how to create more awareness in your practice and your daily life.
Les 7
Prāṇāyāma: The Life Energy
The fourth limb: Prāṇāyāma - the wise use of life energy. How you breathe plays an important role. By breathing you bring life energy into you. The more consciously and deeply you breathe, the better you balance your nervous system.
We chant Yoga Sutra 2:49 and reflect on it. We will do some simple exercises together which you can easily practice also every day.
Les 8
Pratyāhāra: The Withdrawal Of The Senses
The fifth limb: Pratyāhāra - the withdrawal of the senses. What does that actually mean? We will understand how our senses behave and how we can learn to direct them inward. We chant Yoga Sutra 2: 52/2: 55 and reflect on it. With specific exercises, you can deepen this topic in everyday life.
Les 9
Dhāraṇā: Concentration
The sixth limb: Dhāraṇā - concentration is one of the most difficult things to achieve in our modern and fast-paced society. We learn how to focus on an inner or outer object and thus direct the mind and thoughts. We chant Yoga Sutra 3: 1 and reflect on it. With specific exercises, you can master this topic in your life.
Les 10
Dhyāna: Meditation
The seventh limb: Dhyāna - meditation. There are so many views on meditation, but how does Patanjali see it? How do we bring subject and object together in meditation? We will chant Sutra 3: 2 together and practice listening to Nadam. Listen to the sound of your own silence and your heart will speak to you.
Les 11
Samādhi: Oneness - The Complete Merge With All That Is
The eighth limb: Samādhi - total connection to God/the source. Unity. Complete trust and devotion. Surrender. We will sing Sutra 3: 3 together and the practice of yoga nidra will be introduced.
Les 12
The Transformation
After 12 days we came to the conclusion of this course. What has changed in you? How did it touch you? What do you take with you into your life? I will go through all the limbs again and highlight the most important aspects.
Thank you for practicing with me. And give thanks to yourself for giving yourself this time. Namaste.
