What exactly is yoga, and how did it evolve from transcending the world to a global industry worth billions of dollars? Join Daniel Simpson for a day of exploring where yoga comes from, and how practice relates to philosophy over time.
We begin with yogic traditions of ancient India, tracing their development through early Upanishads, the Mahabharata, the Bhagavad Gita, and their systematisation in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra. We also see how ascetics from different traditions exchanged ideas.
Our second session focuses in depth on the physical practice known as hatha, which was influenced by Tantra and other ideas in the last 1,000 years. We consider the shift from seated meditation to more dynamic priorities, and see how this helped give birth to modern yoga.
Daniel holds an MA in Traditions of Yoga and Meditation, from SOAS in London. He teaches yoga philosophy for the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, at Triyoga in London and on teacher trainings.
DOWNLOADABLE AUDIO
If you weren’t able to make it, the workshop was recorded. Audio files and handouts can be ordered below. More information available here.
