Your Trusted Source for Yoga and Philosophy Knowledge
Dr. Ranganathan is a Research Leader in Translating Philosophy and the Study of Indian Ethics and Moral Philosophy,
He is translator of the Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra (Penguin 2008),
Author of 50 peer reviewed publications overlapping philosophy and yoga,
Member of the Department of Philosophy and York Center for Asian Research, York University, and
Your Internet Yoga Philosophy Prof.
Shyam holds an MA in South Asian Studies, and an MA and PhD in Philosophy
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Yoga Philosophy is a Scholar-Practitioner Initiative and a Contribution to Public Philosophy offering Three Varieties of Support
(1) Free Video Lectures, (2) a Subscription Service, and (3) Expert Courses on Yoga and Philosophy
General Information
Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra: Why Bother Studying It?
Gurus (Teachers) in yoga
Yoga Sūtra, 4 Books Summarized
Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra: Beyond the Surface, Abiding in One’s Essence
Offered in May and November
A definitive introduction and exploration of the Yoga Sūtra --- its history, content and philosophy---for serious students of Yoga.
Based on extensive research into the history of Indian philosophy, translation theory, and methodology in understanding philosophy that applies basic considerations of logic,
this course unlocks the Yoga Sūtra.
The need for such a deep dive course arises from the proliferation of accounts of the Yoga Sūtra in the community and academia that arise not from the rigorous application of basic procedures of philosophy to understanding the Yoga Sūtra, but the widespread interpretation of the text through biases, assumptions, traditions, and commentaries. The failure to apply these rigorous procedures of philosophy gives rise to the substitution of the philosophy of yoga with whatever people already believed. So instead of learning about the Yoga Sūtra, one typically treats it as a cork board to impose one's prejudices---or one's teacher's prejudices. And yet the philosophy of yoga aims to get us away from living via our prejudices (saṃskāra-s), and being ruled by our minds. Dr. Ranganathan has dedicated the last two decades to the challenge of understanding philosophy without saṃskāra-s, and now can share this training with you.
In this four week course, students gain weekly video lectures, and have access to live virtual tutorials led by Dr. Ranganathan, scheduled to accommodate student schedules, and a private 1 hour consultation with Dr. Ranganathan. Upon completion, students gain lifetime access to the lecture content and membership in a closed alumni discussion group moderated by Dr. Ranganathan
Engaged completion of this course is a prerequisite for Yoga Philosophy Teacher Training.
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Ethical Theory: Did You Know That Yoga is a Basic Ethical/Moral Theory?
Prosperity and Success: Manifesting your Dreams
Manifesting Prosperity and Success: Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra, Focus Book 3
Offered April and October
For those who want a scholarly introduction to Yoga with a practical focus, this course is for you!
In this course, we will explore the route to material success (yes, money) through yoga. Specifically, we will learn how the ancient teachings of Yoga help us organize our life successfully to secure our needs.
Yoga has a reputation of being an ascetic's exercise: nothing can be further from the tradition of Yoga, associated with Viṣnu the preserver, and Lakṣmī, the goddess of prosperity.
Specifically we will identify common fallacies in the attempt to manifest goals, come to understand the Yoga criticism of such attempts, and in its place learn the central yoga practices that lead to one's own independence. And whereas common approaches to success are private, or individual, what is good for the yogi is good for everyone. Material success for the yogi radiates prosperity. That is because the yogi succeeds at life on their own terms, and creates a personal world that makes that possible for others too.
Our investigation of the material success and prosperity inducing aspects of yogic practice will take us through ignored and misunderstood portions of the Yoga Sūtra. Esoteric teachings of this central text of yoga are revealed to students by way of Dr. Ranganathan's extensive knowledge of the tradition and practical philosophy.
In this four week course, students gain weekly video lectures, and have access to live virtual tutorials led by Dr. Ranganathan, scheduled to accommodate student schedules, and a private 1 hour consultation with Dr. Ranganathan. Upon completion, students gain lifetime access to the lecture content and membership in a closed alumni discussion group moderated by Dr. Ranganathan.
Members of the Yoga Philosophy list are able to benefit from discounts on the course offered to the list.
Engaged completion of this course can be a prerequisite for Yoga Philosophy Teacher Training.