One of my yoga students would like to lead a formal discussion and study group on the Sādhanā Pāda (the second chapter of the Yoga Sūtras of Patanjali). Sadhana Pada is the chapter about the undertaking of practice. The proposed study group could happen in blog format or through live zoom meetings.
From IYCGR student Daniel Hugger:
“I first got the idea for this study last summer during a retreat Jennifer led in Charlevoix, MI. During the retreat we had a yoga philosophy discussion and one of the students raised a very interesting and technical question about a verse in the first Pāda (Part) of the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali. Jennifer answered the question but encouraged students who were new to the Yoga Sūtras to begin their study with the Sādhanā Pāda, the second part of the Sūtras on practice. I made a note of this and thought this would make a valuable study.
Below is a tentative schedule of readings:
Week 1:
The acts of yoga, their effect on the afflictions, the five afflictions, and the root affliction.
Reading: Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali II.1-5
Week 2: The remaining four afflictions, their nature, and their cure.
Reading: Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali II. 6-11
Week 3: Karma, its consequences, and the nature of suffering.
Reading: Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali II. 12-16
Week 4: The seer, the seen, and their conjunction.
Reading: Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali II. 17-24
Week 5: The nature of emancipation and the eight limbs of yoga.
Reading: Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali II. 25-29
Week 6: The yamas, niyamas, and how to counter contrary tendencies.
Reading: Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali II. 30-34
Week 7: The yamas and their benefits.
Reading: Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali II. 35-39
Week 8: The niyamas and their benefits.
Reading: Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali II. 40-45
Week 9: Āsana.
Reading: Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali II. 46-48
Week 10: Prānāyāma.
Reading: Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali II. 49-53
Week 11: Pratyāhāra.
Reading: Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali II. 54-55
If you would like to participate please let Jennifer know!
Regards,
Dan Hugger
*there is NO cost for participation in this group but please have a copy of the Light on Yoga Sūtras of Patanjali by B.K.S. Iyengar
Daniel J. Hugger is librarian and research associate at the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion & Liberty. He received a B.A. in history from Hillsdale College and a State of Michigan teaching certificate from Calvin University. He has written and spoken extensively on questions of education, political economy, and religion. Daniel is the editor of two books Lord Acton: Historical and Moral Essays and The Humane Economist: A Wilhelm Röpke Reader.