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Sanatan Yoga

Sanatana Yoga means the Eternal truth or Divine Union Yoga that existed before creation, during existence, and that will still exist after all matter has ceased to exist.

 

"Sanatana" is a Sanskrit word which denotes “the eternal or universal laws, and duties we need follow in our life to attain union with absolute or Divine Consciousness. Literally Sanatana means that which is Anadi (beginning less), Ananta (endless) and does not cease to be, that which is eternal and everlasting. Yoga comes from Sanatana Dharma which in modern times known as Hinduism. Dharma means duties we all need to follow in our life to attain our true potentials. Yoga helps us to build our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness to be able to follow these eternal and ethical virtues in our day to day life.

 

Yoga comes from Sanskrita root ‘yuj’ means ‘joining or, adding’. Yoga is union of individual Self with Higher Self. Yogachariya Jnandev primarily follow Gitananda Yoga based on ancient authentic teachings of various paths of yoga (like Jnana Yoga, Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Pranayama Yoga, Vyayama Yoga) and Sanatana Dharma.

 

Sanatan Yoga is based on an approach of Wholistic Approach (integrated Body, Mind, Soul) based on the ancient teachings of Yoga (Hatha, Jnana, Bhakti and Raja Yoga).

 

 

What are the Key Scriptures we follow in Sanatan Yoga Teachings?

Many yoga scriptures are detailing various paths or aspects of Yoga. Even though now Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and Hatha Yoga Pradipika are seen as main or key yoga scriptures, but in reality, if you like to study and practice yoga as complete holistic path then, we need to look into many other scriptures.

 

In Sanatan Yoga we use the following scriptures as a basis of our teachings:

 

  • Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

  • Bhagavat Gita- A Dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna

  • Shiva Samhita- a dialogue between Shiva and his wife Shakti on Yoga

  • Hatha Yoga Pradipika- Detailing Hatha Yoga practices to prepare for Raja Yoga.

  • Gheranda Samhita- Also details Hatha Yoga Practices.

  • Yoga Vasishtha- A dialogue between Lord Rama and his Guru Vasishtha.

  • Shiva Swarodaya- the conversation between Lord Shiva and his wife Shakti on the yoga of breath and naris.

  • Yoga Upanishada

  • Vijnana Bhairava Tantra

  • Yajnavalkya Samhita

  • Yoga Chudamani

  • Swami Gitananda’s Yoga Step by Step

Yoga Sutras Of Maharishi Patanjali

Yoga is mentioned in many Hindu and Vedic scriptures such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, etc. However, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is entirely dedicated work on yoga philosophy, each of its limbs, practices, obstacles, etc. The Yoga Sutras are a guide map for every human being to reach higher states of mind. Patanjali compiled and connected many concepts, ideas, practices and principals of yoga as a guide map for Self or Purusha (individual soul) to free itself from worldly mental bondage by attaining Self-realisation or Union with Parmatman (higher self or divine self).Patanjali is thought to have lived between 200BC to 2000BC. Patanjali was a great Yogi, attained liberation through following the disciplined path of Yoga. The Sutra means a thread or verse. The Yoga Sutras are verses or threads of wisdom. These Yoga Sutras were written in a complex coded Sanskrita language and to explore and understand them one needs to experience each one of them through Sadhana. There is four chapters in the Yoga Sutras containing 196 Sutras. The sutras are divided into four chapters, or padas: samadhi, sadhana, vibhuti, and kaivalya.

The Bhagavada Gita:

The Bhagavad Gita, often known as ‘Gita’ is one of the key Hindu and Yoga scriptures in a poetic form also known as “Song of the Lord,” it is one part of the Mahabharata, which is an ancient Indian epic. At the beginning of the epic war between Pandavas and Kauravas, Arjuna the greatest warrior and head of Pandava army, Arjuna refuses to fight against his relatives and family members. This is the moment Lord Krishna counsels and teaches Arjuna what is right for him to do as his dharma or duty. In the 18 chapters of Gita, there are 700 verses written in a poetic form. These are dialogues between Arjuna and Krishna. Krishna represents the Divine or Supreme Soul (Paramatma), and Arjuna represents the individual soul (Purusha), and the battle represents the ethical and moral struggles of human mind and life. The Gita details all the psychological tools for the body and mind, including all four paths of yoga, of which karma yoga as most important of all in the form of selfless service or performing all the actions devoted to the divine cause.

Shiva Samhita

The Shiva Samhita is the oldest Hatha Yoga Scripture. This scripture is teaching or Lord Shiva to his wife, Paravati or Shakti. This is a complete text on hatha yoga mentioning 84 classical postures, even though it only gives details on four asanas. It describes five types of Prana, and also includes Tantra, Mudra and Meditation techniques as well as yoga philosophy. There was no actual evidence of dates as to when this scripture was written.

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Hatha Yoga Pradipika

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is one of the most detailed works on Hatha Yoga by Svatmarama Suri. Hatha means forceful, vigorous, zeal, endeavour, steadfast approach to attain the goal of Yoga as Meditation and Samadhi. This literature provides a scientific and experienced approach to asana, pranayama, mudra, bandhas and Dharana practices by many Yogis and master in Hatha Yoga lineage or system. When the Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva, enquired to Lord Shiva how to attain Jnana or Knowledge and experience it for herself to be free from suffering and mental whirlpools? She asked how human beings can be free of their physical, psychological and emotional distress. Then Lord Shiva taught her Hatha Yoga science for the holistic development of self. Parvati passed this knowledge to Brahma, who gave this knowledge to many sages like Narada, Sanka, and Sanatkumara. This Vidya (knowledge) was later in 12th to -15th century was written down as Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Actual reference of teachings goes way far back as even Svatmarama mentions a list of Gurus in his lineage the knowledge was passed down to him.

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Gheranda Samhita

"Gheranda Samhita," or "Gheranda Collection," is one of three important texts on classic Hatha yoga, along with the "Hatha Yoga Pradipika" and the "Shiva Samhita." It was written in Sanskrit in the late 17th century and is sometimes considered to be the most comprehensive of the three texts as it provides a detailed manual for yoga. The yoga text has seven chapters dealing with various limbs of yoga. These seven chapters of "Gheranda Samhita" follow the sevenfold path of yoga, which was taught by the sage Rishi Gheranda to his student, Chanda Kapila. These limbs include- Shatkarmas, Asana, Mudra, Pratyahara, Pranayama, Dhyana and Samadhi.

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The Yoga Vashistha

The Yoga Vasishtha is counselling dialogue between Lord Rama in his youth and his Guru Vasishtha. Valmiki between 6th and 14th century wrote it. It contains 19,000 verses. This is written in the form of inspiring stories and fables of great Sages, Rishis and Yogis who attained Liberation through various paths of Yoga.

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Shiva Swarodaya

This scripture is for advance yoga seekers. It is a dialogue between Lord Shiva and his wife, Parvati. This knowledge is being passed down since verbally through the Guru-Shishya tradition and was at some point (exact dates unknown as with many of these ancient scriptures) put into written form. This scripture details on the Swaras or nostrils, breath and their associations with five elements, states of mind and how to transform our body, mind and life through manipulating and changing our Swaras or nostrils and Breath. It associates right nostril with Pingala and left with the Ida Nari while Sushumna with both nostrils together when the flowing freely.

Vijnana Bhairava Tantra

The Vijnana Bhairava Tantra is classical Tantra Yoga text. Here, Guru is the teacher is Lord Shiva, and Shakti or Parvati is Shishya or student who also happens to be his wife. According to many scholars, its written around 7th century CE. Vijnana means knowledge which comes directly from experience and Bhairava means Supreme Reality or Divine. It is in the form of the dialogue between Shiva and Parvati. She explains her doubts and desires to know how to attain union of Individual Self with the Higher Self. The term Shiva is used for Higher and Shakti for Individual Self. Lord Shiva explains how we are under the influence of Maya and duality due to ego and mental bondages. This scripture details 112 techniques of enquiry and meditation to attain Self-realisation. This yoga can be practised by using body, mind, breath and subtle life forces - prana. This is the process of self- enquiry to realise Self and Higher Self.

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Yajnavalkya Samhita

Another classical text on Hatha Yoga. The Yoga `Yajnavalikya Samhita is a dialogue between the great sage Yajnavalkya and his learned wife, Gargi. Considered as one of the most learned women of all times, Gargi asks him about how to reach the highest state of consciousness or Samadhi. Yajnavalkya teaches a systematic path of Hatha Yoga to her in twelve chapters in this text.

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Yoga Chudamani

The Yoga Chudamani Upanishad commentary on the Sama Veda. It means the “Crown Jewel of Yoga”. It has 121 verses. As it says in the name, it is for Yoga Sadhakas seeking liberation and Samadhi through yoga practice and purification of the mind. Yoga Chudamani explains that a Yogi should use every breath as Pranayama with their mind focussed on the Hamsa Mantra. Unconsciously we are chanting this mantra with every in and out breath, meaning “I am Super-Consciousness”. This chanting is known as Ajapa Japa. If we focus on this breathing and mantra, it will awaken our Kundalini.

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Yoga Step by Step by Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giriji

This course is a comprehensive, in-depth Yoga training in Classical Yoga through the written word now available. The Yoga: Step-By-Step Correspondence Course study was one of the requirements for those desiring to participate in the Six Month International Yoga Teacher’s Training Course held each year at ICYER, Tamil Nadu, India from October 2 through March 25th. Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda developed this course in 1971, using his background in medicine and his own Gurus teaching’s, Swami Kanakanada, he designed fifty-two weekly lessons which are well illustrated with photographs and line drawings. It contains a practical, systematic step-by-step instruction in the integral practice of Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga. The course allowed you a regular correspondence with the renowned Yoga Master and Guide Ammaji Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani. This course manual is one of the most detailed yoga courses, detailing all aspects of yoga including Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Dhyana Yoga, Pranayama Yoga, Yoga life style, in-depth human-psycho-physiology and diet.

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What Do We Teach and Practice in Sanatana Yoga?

 

  1. Jattis- These are also known as Sukshma Vyayama or subtle therapeutic exercises. These are unstructured, conscious movements like shaking, bouncing, circling, rotating, movements of limbs, joints and body parts.

  2. Kriyas- These are more structured movements of body with conscious breath as you flow from one to other position.

  3. Yoga Vyayama- While Kriyas are very subtle, gentle and relaxing movements, Yoga Vyayamas are more vigorous or stronger forms of Kriyas where it also becomes a physical, mental, emotional or energy workout.

  4. Suriya Namaskars- In traditional Yoga there are many variations to offer our greetings and gratitude to Sun or Surya.

  5. Hatha Yoga Kriyas- This are set of movements from an asana to asana (posture to posture) with conscious breathing and focus on energy flows, physical points or chakras (subtle energy points). These in generally include classical Hatha Yoga Postures (according to scriptures there 84 classical postures).

  6. Asanas- Asana as described by Patanjali is “comfortable and stable seat or posture” to be held for long time with focussing mind on various body points, chakras, energy flows, or generally known as advance or higher practices of Yoga.

  7. Mudras- Mudras are body-mind-energy gestures to tune into the universal cosmic prana and channel it inward towards various chakras, naris, consciousness and body parts.

  8. Pranayamas- Pranayamas are techniques using breath as a tool to enhance excess of Prana, the cosmic universal energy to refine, and vitalise our body, mind and energy.

  9. Jnana Yoga Kriyas- Jnana Yoga Kriyas are Pratyahara or relaxation techniques. These relaxation techniques are to either enhance the energy subtle flows to reverse the flows, so these energies can flow back to the point of their origin, which leads us to better health and well-being.

  10. Dharna or Meditation Techniques- These are classical concentration techniques to focus our mind, leading to Dhyana or meditation. Ashtanga Yoga- This is based on Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

  11. Ashtanga Yoga has eight steps of yoga leading individual self to attain union with the higher self.

  12. Yoga Philosophy- Yoga philosophy, which provides us all the tools to enhance our mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, leading us to higher states of consciousness and joyfulness. We use Yoga Sutras, Samkhya Yoga, Vedanta, Bhagavat Gita, Yoga Vashishtha and Upanishads as reference scriptures.

  13. Yoga Anatomy and Physiology- We study general anatomy and physiology, along with yoga-anatomy including pancha-kosha, naris and chakra system, adhi-vyadhi (psycho-somatic), spanda-nispanda (homeostasis, stretch-relax), etc concepts.

  14. Jnana Yoga- This is Yoga of wisdom to improve our life-style, attitude, thought process to live our life with health and happiness.

  15. Kundalini Yoga- This aspect of Yoga includes practices for awakening our kundalini or chakras to enhance of our life forces.

  16. Tantra Yoga- This another aspect of Yoga working on our chakras and subtle energy flows by means of postures, pranayama, mudras, concentration techniques, mandala dharnas leading to higher states of consciousness.

  17. Mantra Yoga- In this aspect of Yoga we use various mantras as tools for our mind, and their vibrations and meanings to tune into higher or cosmic energies and free ourselves from material attachment.

  18. Bhakti Yoga- This is Yoga of devotion. We learn to let go our attachment with fruits and desires and offer every action or act to divine cause.

  19. Dhyana Yoga- This is Yoga of meditation where we use some mental, or energy transcending practices to experience higher states of mind, which free us from all the pain and sufferings.

  20. Raja Yoga- This is highest form yoga, based on Samkhya Yoga, and Yoga Sutras, Bhagavat Gita. This path of yoga is integrated, and all paths of yoga are included with the highest aim to attain self-realisation or Samadhi.

 

 

What do we typically teach in a Regular public Class?

 

  • Quiet Sitting

  • Jattis

  • Kriyas

  • Hatha Yoga Kriyas

  • Suriya Namaskars

  • Asanas, Mudra and Pranayama

  • Jnana Yoga Kriyas or relaxation

 

 

 

Sanatan Teacher Levels:

 

  1. Sanatan Yoga Teachers - Level 1 (300 hrs 1-year course or intensive)

  2. Sanatan Yoga Teachers Senior - Level 2 (500 hrs additional 2-year course)NB: after this training it is possible to represent and teach our 6-month foundation course if we feel you are ready.

  3. Sanatan Yogachariya (for males) or Yogacharini (for females) title (1000 hrs additional 1-year)

  4. Sanatan Yoga Teacher Trainers (1000hrs plus 5 years’ experience of teaching and assisting Deepika and Jnandev at Yoga Satsanga Ashram repeating the 300hrs course at least once as an assistant)

Please contact us if you feel becoming a Sanatan yoga teacher or trainer

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