The Bhagavad Gita was written as part of the Mahabharata, a spiritual epic attributed to Vyasa, between the 5th and 2nd century BC. The Bhagavad Gita is widely considered one of the most important spiritual texts ever written, offering a practical, self-directed guide to Hindu spirituality. It was described by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi as “the lighthouse of eternal wisdom that has the ability to inspire any man or woman to supreme accomplishment and enlightenment.” The teacher in the Bhagavad Gita is Krishna as he explains to Arjuna his duties as a warrior and a prince as an analogy of the path toward liberation. Throughout the text, Krishna appears as a manifestation of Divine Consciousness as he guides Arjuna and the other characters through their roles before, during, and beyond the battle that begins Kali Yuga (one of the four stages of the world's development cycle).

In this six-week series, our yoga practice will be guided by passages and themes from the Bhagavad Gita. The class each week will build on topics that delve into the philosophy of yoga, including energy, non-attachment, building witness-consciousness, karma and dharma, sacrifice, and Divine Grace. Our practice will include a brief reading and teaching, seated meditation and breathwork, asana practice followed by guided yoga nidra, and time for discussion at the end. Familiarity with the Bhagavad Gita is helpful, but not required. We will use the translations of the Bhagavad Gita by both Winthrop Sargent and Stephen Mitchell for the readings. You are welcome to purchase a copy of either version, but having your own copy is not required.

Cost: $16 drop-in