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The particular purpose of the 250-hour Foundations of Yoga course is to give students in-depth knowledge of the essential features of Yoga against a broad cultural backdrop. This will allow them to make better sense of the materials found in Dr. Georg Feuerstein's widely read volume The Yoga Tradition and also to approach the further study of any branch of Yoga with greater confidence. At the same time, the course aims at encouraging students to translate this knowledge into daily practice.
COURSE MATERIALS: At the core of the course is a typeset 400-page illustrated Study Guide (printed on 100% recycled paper), which includes a key to the questionnaires (except for the final questionnaire, which has to be submitted for evaluation).
In addition, students also must acquire the following materials by Georg Feuerstein:
(1) The Yoga Tradition (2d or later edition; the page numbering of the first edition won't go easily with this course) published by Hohm Press.
(2) The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga, published by Shambhala Publications.
(3) Six audiocassettes or equivalent CDs labeld The Lost Teachings of Yoga, produced by Sounds True.
You can order the above books and CD set on the application form or by going to our store.
TIME FRAME: The course is estimated to extend over c. 250 hours. Students are given a maximum of 18 months and a minimum of one year to submit their final questionnaire and essay for their tutor’s response. An extension of up to 6 months is possible, and the extension fee is $75.00.
HOMEWORK: Each of the 11 Lessons has homework attached to it, but students are required to submit only 1 questionnaire and 1 essay for feedback and evaluation. A key to the 11 nonsubmittable questionnaires is provided in the Study Guide. The essay is due at the end of the course. For those not wishing a certificate, homework is optional.
CERTIFICATE: Students who have successfully completed the course are granted a certificate of completion, as with our other courses.
COST: The course is offered at the low introductory price of $400.00, which must be paid in full up front. This amount is nonrefundable once the materials have been shipped. The price is in US/CANADIAN currency. Shipping and handling are extra. (Please inquire, as the costs vary from country to country.) Do not make a payment without first being accepted!
PREFACE TO THIS STUDY GUIDE
PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS
I. How to Study
1. Self-Study
2. Remedial Action
II. Course Objectives
III. Organization of the Materials in this Binder
1. Main Points
2. Additional Study Materials
3. Additional Source Readings
4. Further Reading (and Listening)
5. For Reflection
6. Homework
IV. Course Requirements
1. Required Reading and Listening
2. Homework Assignments
3. Essay
4. Questionnaires
5. Interacting with Your Tutor
6. Certificate of CompletionLESSON 1
I. Objectives
II. Homework Assignments
III. Right Orientation
Invocation Before Teachings
Additional Study Materials #1: Yoga Scholar vs. Yoga Practitioner
Additional Study Materials #2: In Praise of Study (Svâdhyâya)
For Reflection
Questionnaire 1LESSON 2
I. Objectives
II. Homework Assignments
III. Introductory Remarks
INTRODUCTION: THE IMPULSE TOWARD
TRANSCENDENCE
YT I. Reaching Beyond the Ego Personality
Additional Study Materials #3: The Yoga of Science
YT II. Technologies of East and West
YT III. Reality and Models of Reality
Additional Study Materials #4: Yoga Symbolism
Further Reading
For Reflection
Additional Study Materials #5: The War of the Gods and Antigods
YT IV. Yoga and the Modern West
Additional Study Materials #6: East and West
For Reflection
Questionnaire 2LESSON 3
I. Objectives
II. Homework Assignments
III. Introductory Remarks
BUILDING BLOCKS
YT I. Essence of Yoga
A Zen Story
What Yoga Means to Me
Comments on Source Reading 1 (Dakshinamurti-Stotra)
Additional Source Reading: Tejo-Bindu-Upanishad
Additional Study Materials #7: Is Yoga a Religion?
For Reflection
YT II. What’s In a Name? — The Term Yoga
Additional Study Materials #8: Traditional Definitions of Yoga
For Reflection
YT III. Degrees of Self-Transcendence: The Practitioner (Yogin or Yoginî)
YT IV. Guiding Light: The Teacher
The Washerman and the Lion
Additional Study Materials #9: Select Readings on the Guru-Disciple Relationship
Additional Study Materials #10: The Guru: Dispeller of Darkness
Additional Study Materials #11: The Guru Function: Broadcasting Reality
Additional Study Materials #12: True Gurus, False Gurus Crazy Gurus
Additional Source Reading: Eight [Verses on the Teacher (Guru-Ashtaka)
For Reflection
YT V. Learning Beyond the Self: The Disciple
Further Reading
On Discipleship
YT VI. Giving Birth to a New Identity: Initiation
YT VII. Crazy Wisdom and Crazy Adepts
Further Reading
Comments on Source Reading 2: Siddha-Siddhânta-Paddhati
For Reflection
Questionnaire #3LESSON 4
I. Objectives
II. Homework Assignments
III. Introductory Remarks
THE WHEEL OF YOGA
YT I. Overview
YT II. Râja-Yoga: The Resplendent Yoga of Spiritual Kings
YT III. Hatha-Yoga: Cultivating an Adamantine Body
YT IV. Jnâna-Yoga: Seeing with the Eye of Wisdom
Tripura-Rahasya
Additional Study Materials #13: Jnâna-Yoga: The Path of Wisdom
Additional Study Materials #14: Yoga of Discernment
Comments on Source Reading 3: Amrita-Bindu-Upanishad
Additional Study Materials #15: Mindfulness: How to Develop Witnessing
Additional Source Reading: Nirvâna-Shatka: Six Stanzas on Extinction
For Reflection
Questionnaire #4LESSON 5
I. Objectives
II. Homework Assignments
III. Introductory Remarks
YT V. Bhakti-Yoga: The Self-Transcending Power of Love
Additional Study Materials #16: The Depth of Bhakti
Comments on Source Reading 4
Additional Study Materials #17: Bhakti-Yoga
Additional Source Reading: Worship Govinda (Bhaja-Govinda)
Unshakable Faith
For Reflection
Further Reading
Questionnaire #5LESSON 6
I. Objectives
II. Homework Assignments
III. Introductory Remarks
YT VI. Karma-Yoga: Freedom in Action
Additional Study Materials #18: Reflections on Karma-Yoga
Additional Study Materials #19: What Is Spiritual Activism?
Additional Study Materials #20: Reverence for Life
Additional Study Materials #21: What Is Green Yoga?
Additional Study Materials #22: The State and Activities of the Siddha (Perfect)
Additional Study Materials #23: Work and Its Secret
Additional Study Materials #24: Karma and Its Effect on Character
Additional Study Materials #25: The Secret of Work
Additional Study Materials #26: What Is Duty?
Additional Study Materials #27: The Ideal of Karma-Yoga
Additional Study Materials #28: Action
Additional Study Materials #29: Self-rule
Further Reading
Questionnaire #6LESSON 7
I. Objectives
II. Homework Assignments
III. Introductory Remarks
YT VII. Mantra-Yoga
Additional Study Materials #30: A World of Sound
Additional Study Materials #31: Mantra-Yoga: Sounding Out the Depth Within
Additional Study Materials #32: The Gâyatrî-Mantra
Additional Study Materials #33: The Sacred Syllable Om
For Reflection
Further Reading
YT VIII. Laya-Yoga: Dissolving the Universe
Further Reading
When Lightning Strikes
YT IX. Integral Yoga: A Modern Synthesis
Additional Study Materials #34: Aurobindo’s Life and Yoga
For Reflection
Further Reading
Questionnaire #7
LESSON 8
I. Objectives
II. Homework Assignments
III. Introductory Remarks
YT I. A Bird’s-Eye View of the Cultural History of India
Further Reading
For Reflection
YT II. The Glow of Psychic Power: Yoga and Asceticism
Additional Study Materials #35: Tapas: Creative Fire
Further Reading
Asceticism and Gautama the Buddha
Further Reading
YT III. Delight in Nothing: Yoga and the Way of Renunciation
Additional Study Materials #36: Samnyasa: Uncluttering Our Life
For Reflection
Further Reading
Questionnaire #8LESSON 9
I. Objectives
II. Homework Assignments
III. Introductory Remarks
YT IV. Yoga and Hindu Philosophy
Further Reading
For Reflection
Pûrva-Mîmâmsâ
Further Reading
Uttara-Mîmâmsâ
Further Reading
Additional Study Materials #37: Reflections on the One
Additional Study Materials #38: The Life of Shankara
For Reflection
Sâmkhya
Further Reading
Satkârya-Vâda
Additional Source Readings: Excerpts from the Sâmkhya-Kârikâ and the Sâmkhya-Sûtra For Reflection
Yoga
Vaisheshika
Nyâya
Further Reading
For Reflection
Questionnaire #9
LESSON 10
I. Objectives
II. Homework Assignments
III. Introductory Remarks
Mental Health as Wholeness and Holiness: A Buddhist Perspective
YT V. Yoga, Âyur-Veda, and Siddha Medicine
Further Reading
Additional Study Materials #39: The Yogic art of Healing
Additional Study Materials #40: Yogic Alchemy
For Reflection
Questionnaire #10
LESSON 11
I. Objectives
II. Homework Assignments
III. Introductory Remarks
YT VI. Yoga and Hindu Religion
Further Reading
Additional Study Materials #41: Is Yoga a Religion?
Additional Study Materials #42: Religion and Spirituality
Additional Study Materials #43: The Yoga of Jesus
For Reflection
Questionnaire #11
Questionnaire #12
Final Essay (Topics)
© 2008 by Georg Feuerstein.