Patanjali's Yoga Sutras : Yoga Therapy Module

Course Name:

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras : Yoga Therapy Module

Course Date:

March 13-15, 2026 9am to 5pm; March 26, 2026 4pm to 8pm; March 27-29, 2026 9am to 5pm

Course Introduction:

The first book of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Samadhi Pada, is the subject of this training. The examination of Samadhi Pada enables a broad understanding of the remaining three books of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. The Yoga Sutras are studied contextually, and explored through the lens of commentaries provided by Vyaasa, Swami Rama, Swami Veda, and other philosophers. Participants are guided in the examination of Patanjali's eight-fold path with reference to their own sadhana practice. Obstacles to their practice, as expounded in the Yoga Sutras and commentaries, are explored in peer study groups.

Course Description:

The first book of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Samadhi Pada, is a thorough description of the eighth limb of Ashtanga Yoga (the eight-fold path of Yoga). A primary goal of this module is to understand how to achieve the lofty goal of samadhi, and what are the social, emotional, personal, and psychological barriers to its achievement.

Participants are encouraged to develop bhava – attitude, mood, and feeling – in their sadhana practice and are guided to the necessary practices to achieve the focus, intention, and devotion required to further spiritual growth. Bhava is an integral part of the journey of Yoga, and Yoga is the stepped practice of moving towards the ultimate goal of samadhi.

Students are taught to apply the Yoga Sutras when teaching asana, pranayama, and meditation to others, and how to apply the Yoga Sutras in their personal sadhana. Contemporary social justice issues, personal, and socio-political issues are explored from the perspective of the Yoga Sutras, the yamas and niyamas, the Bhagavad Gita, the Vedas, and the Upanishads, to situate the participant in a contemporary use and application of these ancient threads of knowledge.

This enables participants to adapt the Yoga Sutras into personal life principles which in turn enables the yoga therapist, or healer, to assist others in doing the same. Studying the Yoga Sutras is an invaluable assist to anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of yogic philosophies and practices, and particularly for those wanting to use these to assist others in their self-healing journey.

Participant Limit:

Venue:

Live Online

Module Format:

46 hours of class time in three segments

Module Objectives:

Learning Objectives of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra Yoga Therapy Module:

Understand the relevance of Patanjali’s teachings in contemporary life and ground them in earlier and later teachings and philosophies of the yogic tradition including the Vedas, Samkhya Yoga, Tattva Samāsa Sutras, and Bhagavad Gita.

Utilise Patanjali’s eight-fold path to enhance student and client growth, development, and spiritual understanding in relation to the professional use of yoga therapy.

Develop enhanced understanding of the Yoga Sutras to identify and overcome obstacles in personal lives and in the lives of clients.

Gain enhanced clarity on the state of Oneness that is samadhi; how to achieve this in personal sadhana and how to help others achieve a greater understanding of this.

Understand the importance of cultivating bhava in sadhana and be able to teach this to others.

Explore the concept of social justice as a spiritual practice using the teachings and philosophies of the yogic traditions.

Apply Yoga Sutras to daily life as a yoga practice, particularly with reference to the yamas and niyamas (do’s and don’ts of living a yogic life), to achieve wholistic health across all species and forms of life.

Learn to take the practice of Yoga off the mat and into daily life; apply this to yoga therapy as a field of study.

Learn how to use your understanding in service of the healing process with others.

Module Description:

This six-and-a-half-day training is conducted online in three segments. Full attendance is required for each segment.

The cost of training materials is included in the course fee. Suggested reading lists will be provided.

The suggested prerequisite for this training is a Level 1 (200-hour minimum) Yoga training certification.

Final Words:

The participant will exit this training with a thorough understanding of samadhi and how to apply the Yoga Sutras to their personal practice. For those wanting to continue with the study of Yoga Therapy, this module forms part of the certification requirements to qualify as an international yoga therapist.

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras : Yoga Therapy Module

Course Name: