The Art & Science of Raja Yoga
Los Angeles Raja Yoga Course at Ananda LA
Raja Yoga Course
The most comprehensive course on yoga, meditation and the spiritual path offered today. Gain a profound understanding of how to apply the original yoga teachings of India, in all aspects of your life. Topics covered include The Eight Limbed Path of Patanjali, Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Self-Healing, Diet, Meditation. These teachings are truly universal and apply to everyone regardless of religious or spiritual affiliation and have the power to transform your life.
This course is designed for those who want more than an only intellectual experience of yogic teachings and are wanting to apply these tools to improve their own quality of life. Each session is divided into two parts. Part A is one hour of yoga postures for all experience levels, including beginners. Part B is a class/lecture that covers yoga philosophy. You can take either Part A or Part B or both. They are back-to-back. Part B is required as a prerequisite for Kriya Yoga. There is a discount to take both Part A&B combined.
Cost: Part A- $90; Part B-$90; Part A&B combined discount, $150
To Register online or for more information please click the link listed below or call us at 310-396-9900:
Location and Times:
Location: Santa Monica
1318, 2nd Street, Suite #21,
Santa Monica, CA, 90401
Time: Mondays Sep 13 - Oct 18. Part A: 7-8pm; Part B: 8-9:30pm
| Raja Yoga Course Part A | Sep 13 - Oct 18, 2010 | |
| Raja Yoga Course Part B | Sep 13 - Oct 18, 2010 | |
| Raja Yoga Course Part A & B | Sep 13 - Oct 18, 2010 |
Location: Torrance
3774 Pacific Coast Hwy,
Torrance, CA 90505
Time: Thursdays Sep 23 - Oct 28. Part A: 7-8pm; Part B: 8-9:30pm
| Raja Yoga Course Part A | Sep 23 - Oct 28, 2010 | |
| Raja Yoga Course Part B | Sep 23 - Oct 28, 2010 | |
| Raja Yoga Course Part A & B | Sep 23 - Oct 28, 2010 |
Location: Heaven on Earth Holistic Center
7122 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Time: Saturdays Oct 9 - Nov 13. Part A: 10-11am; Part B: 11-12:30am
| Raja Yoga Course Part A | Oct 9 - Nov 13, 2010 | |
| Raja Yoga Course Part B | Oct 9 - Nov 13, 2010 | |
| Raja Yoga Course Part A & B | Oct 9 - Nov 13, 2010 |
An Overview of Raja Yoga at Ananda LA
Overview
In order to see how Raja Yoga fits into the overall philosophy of yoga, we will look to the Yoga Sutras and the Paths of Yoga. Raja yoga is one of the four paths of yoga.
Yoga Sutras
The ancient Indian sage, Patanjali, wrote the Yoga Sutras (aphorisms) which are considered Yoga's definitive Scripture. Yoga literally means “union” (Divine union). Union is achieved through the neutralization of ego-directed feelings, because once these become stilled, the yogi realizes that he is, and that he has always been, one with the Infinite—that his awareness of this reality was limited only by his infatuation with limitation. The different paths of yoga must be understood in the light of how they help to bring about this neutralization of the waves of feeling.
Paths of Yoga
The external or outward paths of yoga, are like tributary streams:
The path of action—Karma yoga. Karma yoga intends to cut the bonds of ego involvement by acting out, in the right way, impulses that were set into motion, in the wrong way, in the past. Spiritually harmful impulses can be redirected into constructive tendencies.
The path of devotion—Bhakti yoga. The practice of Bhakti yoga is intended to awaken the emotions, but after awakening them to calm and focus them, not to agitate them.
The path of discrimination—Gyana (or Jnana) yoga. Gyana yoga requires that questions be asked constantly in the mind: What? Why? Who? Where? "What is the true goal of life? Why is it the true goal? Who am I that seeks that true goal? Where shall I find that goal?"
The river into which the above tributary streams flow is considered the internal or inward path of meditation—Raja yoga (royal or kingly yoga). The above three tributaries are based on the basic qualities of human nature, whereas Raja Yoga transcends human nature in its emphasis on eternal qualities of the soul. Since superconscious meditation is the culmination of all the other yogas, anyone seeking the highest spiritual attainment should include in his spiritual search the daily practice of meditation.
Raja Yoga at Ananda LA
Raja Yoga, the path of meditation includes the following subjects which are covered in classes taught at the Sangha Teaching Center:
• Meditation for focusing your mind and calming your emotions.
• Energization exercises for strengthening the will and physical body.
•Yoga postures to keep you fit physically, mentally, and emotionally.
• Philosophy of Yoga for personal and spiritual growth, drawn from Patanjali’s teachings on yoga and passed down in an unbroken lineage from ancient times.
• Healing for balance and harmony in the body.
• Breathing to increase awareness and energy, improve health, and deepen meditation.
•Yogic principles of diet to enhance mental clarity and health.
• Kriya yoga (a special technique for awakening energies in the spine and brain).
• A special class on Raja yoga.
All of these subjects are based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda as experienced by his disciple, Swami Kriyananda.
Please check the calendar for specific dates of classes.