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The Art & Science of Raja Yoga

  • Ananda Temple 2171 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA, 94306 United States (map)

This class will be offered online only. Please register ahead of time to receive a link.

Thursdays, August 27 - November 19
plus one Saturday, September 12
4-month series • $395
week 2 • new students welcome through week 3

One of our most popular offerings, Raja Yoga is a deep dive into spirituality as a way of life. It offers a scientific approach to the spiritual life, with techniques for stilling the mind and expanding our awareness of spiritual realities. It offers techniques for self-mastery in every aspect of life, from calming turbulent emotions to awakening deep compassion and love for others. Ultimately, it is a well-explored pathway, walked by countless yogis and mystics, to union with God.

The format of the class has been updated and adapted to allow for greater interaction online:

6:15pm Guided yoga postures
6:45pm Guided meditation
7:15pm Short break
7:30pm Class lecture
8:00pm Breakout discussion groups
8:30-9pm All-group Q&A

The teachings of Raja Yoga are compatible with the core teachings of all the great world religions. Devoted members of other faiths are also an active part of Ananda.

More info here.

Instructors: Shanti Rubenstone, Brahmachari Tandava, Brahmacharini Lakshmi, Vivekadevi Noh-Kuhn, and others

Cost: $395

Auditors who wish to attend again    
You are welcome to join if there is room after new student enrollment.

Auditors: $50

Please contact us if you are in need of financial assistance.

 

Instructors

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Nayaswami Shanti

Nayaswami Shanti is a lifelong devotee and is now a co spiritual director here at Ananda Palo Alto. She teaches, counsels and still maintains a practice of medicine through her coaching practice of “Transformational Medicine.” Her talks are rich with stories from her life as a physician and her many years on the path. With her warmth and wisdom, she is a much-loved counselor and teacher. Shanti’s talks online.

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Vivekadevi Noh-Kuhn

Vivekadevi is a gifted teacher and counselor. Her warm and engaging style allows students to relax and dive deeply into the essence of her topic, whatever it may be. She teaches weekly classes on yoga, meditation and the spiritual life and offers private sessions for individual support.

RYT 500, Certified Ananda Yoga Teacher, Certified Meditation Teacher

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Brahmacharini Lakshmi

Lakshmi is an Ananda minister and one of the co-managers of Ananda Palo Alto. She also serves as an English teacher and a mediator at a local high school, dedicated to merging mindfulness and academics in a professional setting. She is a thoughtful and delightfully engaging teacher at Ananda, as well. Lakshmi serves Ananda Palo Alto in many ways, with a rare gift for organizing major projects with ease.

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Tandava Graham

Tandava is a Stanford and Google alum. He's a gifted teacher, whether the subject is meditation, music, dance, computer skills, or anything else, making concepts accessible with humor and clarity. It's hard to find a moment when Tandava isn't cheery, willing, and just on the verge of a terrific one-liner. He’s a frequent soloist and guitarist for Ananda.

 

Explore these areas of study

Yoga Philosophy: the purpose of life • the dream nature of the world • what is the soul? • karma: the law of life • what is good and evil? • inner spiritual realities (the chakras, kundalini) • what happens when we die? • what is a guru? • the cycles of time (yugas) • how to achieve freedom from suffering • what is God? • Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras 

Hatha Yoga: yoga postures for health • preparation for deep meditation 

Pranayama: how breath influences the mind, body, and energy • breathing techniques to reduce fatigue, depression, or lack of mental clarity • techniques for stilling the mind and heart • techniques to calm strong emotions • methods of slowing the heart • health benefits

Meditation: clinical research on meditation • the purpose of meditation • techniques to calm the mind • how to reach deeper states of meditation • meditation as a spiritual practice • the role of the heart (devotion)

Healing: yogic techniques for improved overall health • techniques to help chronic pain, insomnia, high blood pressure, anxiety, weight problems, digestion, heart ailments, and stress • methods of healing others • healing at a distance • affirmation • prayer

This immersion includes course texts, The Art and Science of Raja Yoga, Swami Kriyananda, How to Meditate, John (Jyotish) Novak, and a syllabus.

 

More testimonials

“The teachers individually and together are wonderful, experienced and caring people. They create a community where the energy is clear and high.”
—S. M.

“I could keep coming to this class for years and never get tired of it. On a scale of 1-10, this is an 11!”
—A. Trowbridge

“...a philosophy and way of being that far surpasses anything I’ve studied before.”
—B. Gallup

“This is a fun class with like-minded people. The content was excellent and made me want to learn more. Great teachers, great energy—and great food.”
—A. Manolov”
Earlier Event: September 3
Satsang with Asha
Later Event: September 4
Yoga for Every Body: Chair Yoga Flow