Spring 2003 Yoga Philosophy Courses

deepen your understanding of  yoga

Yoga Philosophy Program - Loyola Marymount University


Courses & Events - Spring 2003

To see a course list for Summer 2003, click here

Courses begin at various times throughout the semester.
All courses will be held at Loyola Marymount University unless otherwise noted.

We are pleased to co-sponsor the upcoming AUM 2003 Conference on the Yoga of Sri Aurobindo from Thursday evening, May 22, to Monday noon, May 26.

COURSES:
Sanskrit 2
Yoga Sutra of Patanjali
Samkhya Karika
Upanishads
Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Kashmir Shaivism
Contemporary Thinkers: Sri Aurobindo
Buddhist Meditation

Ancient Crossroads: Greece & India

CONFERENCES:
Yoga and Greek Philosophy
Yoga of Sri Aurobindo

SPECIAL EVENT (non-credit):
Kirtan with Krishna Das


Sanskrit 2
RELX 961.01 (2 units, 20 hours, $300)

Wednesdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26 and March 5, 12, 19, 26
7:15-9:45 PM
University Hall 1222

Books Required:
Devananipravesika: Introduction to Sanskrit
by Robert Goldman (this is a continuation of Sanskrit 1 so it uses the same book)

Sanskrit 2 is an intermediate course designed to improve reading speed, pronunciation, and comprehension beyond Sanskrit 1. Continue with further elements of grammar, including the introduction of more noun paradigms, pronoun paradigms, additional classes of verbs and irregular verbs, and expanded vocabulary.

Prerequisite: Sanskrit 1 or equivalent knowledge (ability to read and write the Devanagari script, and a basic understanding of the euphonic rules [sandhi], declension of nouns, and conjugation of verbs).

Dr. Marcy Braverman (Ph.D., UCSB) has studied Sanskrit for eight years, including one year in New Dehli. She has taught at universities including LMU and at several yoga centers.
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Yoga Sutra of Patanjali
RELX 971.01 (2 units, 20 hours, $300)

Tuesdays, January 28, February 4, 11, 18, 25 and March 11, 18, 25
7:15-9:45 PM
St. Robert's 242

The Yoga Sutra outlines the basic practices of Yoga, including its ethical precepts, its movement and breathing techniques, and various styles of meditation. Learn about Yoga's analysis of the mind, its theory of karma, and the eight stages that constitute the core of the Yoga path.

Dr. John Casey (Ph.D., University of Hawaii) is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Theological Studies at LMU. He is a specialist in the meditative traditions of India and has taught workshops on Yoga locally and nationally.
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Samkhya Karika
RELX 973.01 (1 unit, 10 hours, $150)

Thursdays, May 1, 8, 15, 22
7:15-9:45 PM
St. Robert's 366

Books Required:
Ego: Revealer-Concealer, a Key to Yoga
by Frank Podgorski

The Samkhya Karika of Ishvarakrishna outlines the basic metaphysical and psychological principles that underpin Yoga Philosophy. Learn about the system of tattvas, the building blocks of physical and mental reality. The role of knowledge in cultivating self-understanding will be emphasized.

Dr. Christopher Key Chapple (Ph.D., Fordham University) is Professor of Theological Studies and Director of Asian and Pacific Studies at Loyola Marymount University.
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Upanishads
RELX 974.01 (1 unit, 10 hours, $150)

Mondays, March 10, 17, 24, 31
7:15-9:45 PM
St. Robert's 358

Books Required:
Principal Upanishads by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
The Upanishads: Breath of the Eternal by Swami Prabhavananda & Frederick Manchester
The Upanishads (Part One) by Sri Aurobindo

The Upanishads constitute the philosophical insights of the early sages of India and also document some of the earliest practices of Yoga. Study the key ideas of the Upanishads, including non-dualism, the identity between Self (Atman) and Supreme Consciousness (Brahman), and ineffability of the absolute.

Dr. Narayanaswami (Ph.D., Texas Technical University, Lubbock) was trained in classical Vedic philosophy and ritual (Shiva Puja) in his native India.
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Hatha Yoga Pradipika
RELX 977.01 (1 unit, 10 hours, $150)

Friday, April 25 7:00 - 10:00 PM
Saturday, April 26 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 2:00 - 6:00 PM

Location: Iyengar Institute, 8233 West Third Street, Los Angeles

Learn the Hatha Yoga Pradipika both experientially and theoretically. See the text's relationship to Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, its place in the hierarchy of Yoga, and the uniqueness of its teachings.

Bring a translation of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and wear proper attire for Yoga asana practice.

Karin O'Bannon is a Senior-Intermediate teacher of Iyengar Yoga. She has taught Yoga locally and internationally.
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Kashmir Shaivism
RELX 992.01 (1 unit, 10 hours, $150)

Wednesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23
7:15-9:45 PM
West Hall 102

The Tantric tradition of Kashmir Shaivism deepens the psychology of Samkhya with a monistic philosophy grounded in the reality of Shiva. Kashmir Shaivism is a practical tradition based on the meditation and practices of Tantric Yoga. Understand and experience yourself and your universe as one with Shiva!

John Hughes lived for 15 years in Kashmir, where he studied with Swami Laksmanjoo. Hughes is the author of several books on Kashmir Shaiva spirituality and is director of the Universal Shaiva Fellowship.
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Contemporary Thinkers: Sri Aurobindo
RELX 989.01 (1 unit, 10 hours, $150)

Wednesdays, April 30 and May 7, 14, 21
7:15-9:45 PM
West Hall 102

Books Required:
The Life Divine by Sri Aurobindo
Synthesis of Yoga by Sri Aurobindo
An Introduction to Sri Aurobindo's Philosophy by Joan Price

The modern yogi and philosopher Sri Aurobindo has introduced radical ideas into the Indian Yoga tradition, envisaging a transformed divine life on earth. Learn his cosmology and teleology, the basic goals, processes, and practices of his Yoga and how the practice of his Yoga can be made into a means for world transformation.

Debashish Banerji is completing his Ph.D. in Indian Art History from UCLA. He is the President of the Sri Aurobindo Center of Los Angeles.

Official Aurobindo Website
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Buddhist Meditation
RELX 990.01 (1 unit, 10 hours, $150)

Mondays, April 7, 14, 21, 28
7:15-9:45 PM
April 7 - University Hall 1859
April 14, 21, 28 - University Hall 1858

Meditation is a personal practice that offers a respite from the stress and struggles of everyday life. Through this ancient practice, one can explore the quiet places inside, and discover profundity and wisdom in the midst of confusion. The technique taught by the Buddha and handed down from teacher to student in an unbroken lineage is known as shamatha, or resting in peace. Learn shamatha, walking, and vipasyana forms of meditation.

Pamela Bothwell, a senior student of the Vidyadhara, Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche, has been a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism since 1973.
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Conference: Yoga and Greek Philosophy
"Ancient Crossroads: Greece & India"
RELX 998.01 (1 unit, 10 hours, $75)

Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM both days
University Hall 1000

In the 6th and 5th centuries BCE both Greece and India experienced an outburst of creative spiritual and philosophic activity: in Greece, the birth of Western philosophy; in India, the later Upanishads, development of Buddhism, Jainism and schools of Yoga. Leading scholars will present crucial aspects of this phenomenon: historical connections, literary and artistic trends, and the various approaches to living practice as prescribed by Yoga and the later doctrines of Stoicism and Epicureanism.

Matthew Dillon (Ph.D., Yale) is a professor of Classics at LMU.
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Aum 2003 Conference: Yoga of Sri Aurobindo
RELX 998.02 (1 unit, 10 hours, $75)

Thursday, May 22, 5:30 p.m. -- Monday, May 26, 12:00 noon
Murphy Recital Hall

The modern yogi and philosopher Sri Aurobindo has introduced radical ideas into the Indian Yoga tradition, envisaging a transformed divine life on earth. Learn the contemporary applicability of Sri Aurobindo's Yoga in different walks of life and approaches towards a spiritual society.

Debashish Banerji is completing his Ph.D. in Indian Art History from UCLA. He is the President of the Sri Aurobindo Center of Los Angeles.

NOTE: Anyone attending this conference must register first with the Sri Aurobindo Center of Los Angeles.
Those seeking Continuing Education credit must also register for an additional $75 with LMU EXTENSION.
(Click on the above two hyperlinks for more information and the appropriate registration forms.)

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Special Event: Kirtan with Krishna Das
(Noncredit, Cost: $25)

Thursday, March 27
8:00-11:00 PM
St. Robert's Auditorium

Kirtan is singing the names of the Divine as a practice of devotional (bhakti) Yoga. Using a call and response format, the singer is transformed and awakened to higher states of consciousness by the very nature and power of the sounds.

Krishna Das is a highly respected and popular leader of Kirtan. Influential spiritual leader Ram Dass describes Krishna Das as "an example of someone whose heartsongs open the channels to God"
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Click Here to Register

See a listing of courses from Fall 2002