Spring 2010

ANS 372 • Yoga as Philosophy and Practice

Course Description

This course begins with the survey of the earliest Indian texts where the word 'yoga' appears, which are called Upanishads, "mystic teachings," and an examination of Upanishadic philosophical ideas associated with yoga practice. We shall proceed to read carefully the YOGA-SUTRA (YS) by Patanjali, where raja-yoga us propounded, as well as the BHAGAVAD- GITA which teaches a tri-marga of karma-yoga, jnana-yoga, and bhakti-yoga. We shall look at the YS both as expressing a metaphysics and as a "how-to book" on yogic practice, focusing on certain bridge psychological concepts and theories. Through examining the GITA, we shall try to appreciate the appropriation of yogic techniques by other classical outlooks (Yogacara Buddhism, Advaita Vendanta, and so on) and by religious sects. We shall also look at yoga and Tantra and a book on Tantric psychology (to be determined). No Sanskrit or previous background in Indian philosophy is necessary, but students with no previous course work in philosophy or in psychology should contact the instructor.

back