The Indian Wisdom Traditions
The ancient Indian teachings, some of which are thousands of years old, contain profound knowledge and wisdom that remain enriching even in the 21st century.
At their core, humans still search for the same answers:
- Who am I? What is the purpose of my existence?
- Where do I come from, and where am I going?
- How can I live a fulfilled life?
- How can I be a source of happiness and joy for myself and others—rather than a cause of sorrow and suffering?
The answers to these questions must ultimately be found within ourselves, individually. There are no universal solutions.
And yet, engaging with the insights of the ancient sages can offer us strength, inspiration, and guidance.
Yoga Philosophy
Yoga philosophy belongs to the classical Indian schools of thought. It offers a multifaceted and sometimes even internally contradictory foundation for various paths of exploring our inner and outer worlds.
Key sources include the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and much later, the Hatha Pradipika.
The introductory weekend offers an overview of the historical development and the various aspects of yoga philosophy. Based on this introduction, the yoga philosophy circles are one way of diving deeper into this fascinating field.
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Introduction to Yoga Philosophy
100,00 € – 150,00 € The roots of this ancient wisdomSa | Feb. 8 | 09.00 am – 12.00 pm CET | Part I
Sa | Feb. 8 | 02.00 pm – 04.30 pm CET | Part II
Su | Feb. 8 | 10.00 am – 12.00 pm CET | Part III
in my yoga studio
Please select the field on the right side under "discount" if you are still in school, in training, or studying at a university.Details and booking
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Yoga Philosophy Circle
9,00 € – 18,00 € Deepen Your Knowledge of the Philosophical Foundations of YogaSu | Jan. 26 | 03.30–05.00 pm CET |
Su | Mar. 02 | 03.30–05.00 pm CET |
Su | Mar. 30 | 03.30–05.00 pm CET |
Su | Apr. 27 | 03.30–05.00 pm CET |
online, in English
Please select the field on the right side under "discount" if you are still in school, in training, or studying at a university.
price per sessionDetails and booking
Yoga Philosophy Circle
Once a month, we meet online for an hour and a half to chant together and delve into the “classics” of yoga philosophy.
For some time now, we have been studying the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, in which he describes the eightfold path to liberation (“Ashtanga Yoga” as a meditative path).
This work will undoubtedly continue to captivate us well into 2025.
The Yoga Philosophy Circle is open to all who are interested, and you are welcome to join at any time—even just to get a taste.
Currently, I am offering the Yoga Philosophy Circles just in German. Let me know if you would like to find a way of studying Yoga Philosophy with me in English.
self study (svādhyāya)
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
Written around 400 CE, this work contains just under 200 concise sutras (succinct verses designed for easier memorization but allowing room for interpretation). It primarily addresses mental yoga, focusing on mastering the mind.
Among other teachings, the sutras describe the eightfold path, which lends its name to Ashtanga Yoga.
A contemporary translation of the sutras can be found, for example, on Ronald Steiner’s website.
One of my ongoing projects is a regular blog dedicated to the Yoga Sutras. This will explore key sutras, specific terms such as Ashtanga, and their various interpretations. However, this is a long-term endeavor that you can follow as it develops here.
The following overview is a summary of the essential aspects of the eightfold path, based on a book by Desikachar (Yoga: Tradition and Experience), compiled by Martina Vogt. If you’re new to the subject, this serves as an invitation to delve deeper.
An overview over the eightfold path (copyright Martina Vogt, published with kind permission)
Recommended Reading:
James Mallison, Mark Singleton (Hrsg.): Roots of Yoga. Penguin Classics, 2017.
Georg Feuerstein: The Yoga Tradition – Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice. Hohm Press,1998, 2001.
Peter Connolly: A Student’s Guide to the History and Philosophy of Yoga. Equinox Publishing Ltd., 2007, 2014.
Gherandasamhita 1.5
„Just as from the repeated study of the alphabet,
One may come to understand the sacred texts,
So, too, by means of yoga,
One may attain knowledge of the real truth”
(translation by Zoë Slatoff: Yogāvatāraṇam, p. 275)
Yoga Sutra Blog
What does Ashtanga Yoga mean – Nomen est omen or rather a misnomer?
The yoga style that I have been practicing for 13 years and teaching for 11 is nowadays known worldwide as Ashtanga Yoga. I fell in love with this style from the very start. Initially, the name was not important to me. However, I later started to question why this...