Yoga Philosophy Classes

With Zo Newell, PhD

At South11 Yoga

224 South 11th Street
Nashville, TN 37206
Map to Location

The journey to yoga beyond asana continues with a third session focusing on the Upanishads. Discover yoga's rich transpersonal heritage! 

Schedule of Class topics for Fall 2011

10/16 – Isha Upanishad 
Gandhi thought so highly of this text that he remarked, "If all the Upanishads and all the other scriptures happened all of a sudden to be reduced to ashes, and if only the first verse in the Ishopanishad were left in the memory of the Hindus, Hinduism would live for ever." The shloka he was referring to is as follows:
"This world and everything in this world is all filled by the all pervading Brahman (...Remembering this,) savor the world with renunciation and do not covet anyone's wealth."

*How does awareness of Brahma help you to savor the world with renunciation and not be greedy (i.e., both cultivate santosha and avoid aparigraha)?

10/23 Bhagavad Gita, chapter 10 – Krishna reveals his true form
How does Arjuna react to Krishna’s cosmic form? Does this vision change his perspective on how he should live in the world?

10/30 Brihadaranyaka Upanishad –BG 2:13,17, 20-27
It is widely known for its philosophical statements, and is ascribed to Yajnavalkya. Its name means "great-wilderness-Upanisad". Chapter 1: creation of the world, primacy of the breath; chapter 3, dialogs of sage Yajnavalkya and the women sages Gargi and Maitreyi (see also ch. 4:5) The doctrine of "neti neti" (II.3.6, later on understood as "neither this, nor that") and a often quoted verse, "Asato Maa"(I.3.28) are found in this Upanishad.

11/6 Chandogya - chapter 1 (life breath as OM) and 6 (identity of individual atman with the Supreme; story of Shvetaketu: Thou art that)

11/20 Prashna (“Questions”)– on the ultimate cause; the power of AUM; the breath of life and the 5 kinds of prana; the relation of the Supreme to the constituents of the world.
YS I:24-32

12/11 Mundaka Upanishad: distinguishes knowledge of the Supreme Brahman from knowledge of the empirical world; higher wisdom is more valuable than sacrifices or worship.

12/18 Mandukya Upanishad – all about AUM, and four states of consciousness, in this short Upanishad of only 12 verses. Just reading it is said to be enough to lead one to liberation.

All sessions are led by Zo Newell, Ph.D., at Iyengar Centers of Nashville’s South 11th studio.
Time: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Cost: suggested donation $10 (or whatever you feel moved to give)