This series is for our yoga teacher training graduates to engage in weekly community dharma discussions with Sarahjoy and each other.
These dharma sessions are for teachers or teacher training students only, so that we can also incorporate reflections on how these teachings pertain to us as teachers of yoga. As the teacher-student relationship is a vital aspect of what our students come to us for when they attend a yoga session with us, we want you to have a place where discussions about the role of teacher, through the lens of yoga's philosophy and dharmic values, can be explored
Below you will find previous Dharma subjects and recordings:
Most recent is at the top of the page and then the recordings are in chronological order beginning in March 2020.
Most recent is at the top of the page and then the recordings are in chronological order beginning in March 2020.
April 15, 2021:
When Staying on the path maters more than the craving
Listen to the recording of this session.
When Staying on the path maters more than the craving
Listen to the recording of this session.
February 11, 2021:
The role of the householder and the climate crisis
Listen to the recording of this session.
The role of the householder and the climate crisis
Listen to the recording of this session.
February 4, 2021:
Now the yoga Begins
Listen to the recording of this session.
NOVEMBER 19, 2020:
Teaching, Communication and being Genuine
Listen to the recording of this session.
Teaching, Communication and being Genuine
Listen to the recording of this session.
NOVEMBER 12, 2020:
Square Breathing, Equanimity, and Empathy.
Listen to the recording of this session.
OCTOBER 29, 2020:
The 5 Causes of Suffering Need the 5 Sources of Joy
Listen to the recording of this session.
The 5 Causes of Suffering Need the 5 Sources of Joy
Listen to the recording of this session.
OCTOBER 22, 2020:
Oct 22nd Dharma for Alumni Group Check in and discussion on India
Listen to the recording of this session.
Oct 22nd Dharma for Alumni Group Check in and discussion on India
Listen to the recording of this session.
OCTOBER 15, 2020:
Looking at experiences through the lenses of Koshas
Listen to the recording of this session.
Looking at experiences through the lenses of Koshas
Listen to the recording of this session.
OCTOBER 8, 2020:
Group discussion/reading review Yoga Sutras
Listen to the recording of this session.
Group discussion/reading review Yoga Sutras
Listen to the recording of this session.
OCTOBER 1, 2020:
Abhyasa + Vairagyam: The "I" Is Unstable
Listen to the recording of this session.
Abhyasa + Vairagyam: The "I" Is Unstable
Listen to the recording of this session.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020:
Soak, Squeeze, Rinse, Repeat:
Lessening the Conditioned Mind, Increasing the Unconditional Heart
Listen to the recording of this session.
Soak, Squeeze, Rinse, Repeat:
Lessening the Conditioned Mind, Increasing the Unconditional Heart
Listen to the recording of this session.
MARCH SERIES FOCUS TOPIC: AYURVEDA
March 19: How the Doshas Get In Their Own Way
(and block you from growing)
Craving begets craving. And impulse can disguise itself as instinct and intuition. Knowing how our dosha gets in its own way is extremely helpful for us to resist Impulse in favor of Insight.
The difference:
Impulse can have a familiar, personal “Yes” feeling; and won’t require vulnerability.
Insight will feel larger than what our mind anticipated; and will require vulnerability.
Listen to the recording of this session.
(and block you from growing)
Craving begets craving. And impulse can disguise itself as instinct and intuition. Knowing how our dosha gets in its own way is extremely helpful for us to resist Impulse in favor of Insight.
The difference:
Impulse can have a familiar, personal “Yes” feeling; and won’t require vulnerability.
Insight will feel larger than what our mind anticipated; and will require vulnerability.
Listen to the recording of this session.
March 26: Vyana Vayu:
Overcoming The Congestion of Kapha
Ayurveda tells us that the seat of Kapha is in the chest. Symptoms can include: heart congestion (grief, heaviness, self-pity) and lung congestion (including a cough in the chest, asthma, and breathing difficulties) The Covid 19 virus is a kapha expression.
Using the principles of Vyana Vayu, we can “de-congest” the heart and lungs and return our awareness to the Heart Chakra un-muddied, unburdened, un-congested.
Listen here to a recording of this session.
Overcoming The Congestion of Kapha
Ayurveda tells us that the seat of Kapha is in the chest. Symptoms can include: heart congestion (grief, heaviness, self-pity) and lung congestion (including a cough in the chest, asthma, and breathing difficulties) The Covid 19 virus is a kapha expression.
Using the principles of Vyana Vayu, we can “de-congest” the heart and lungs and return our awareness to the Heart Chakra un-muddied, unburdened, un-congested.
Listen here to a recording of this session.
APRIL SERIES FOCUS TOPIC: CHAKRAS
April 2: Chakras + the Gita: The Purpose of Despondency
We may wonder about these huge moments of despondency that seem to fall into our lives. "Wait!" we may say to ourselves, or to God, or some other force, "I practice yoga, I eat right, I am nice to people! Why am I facing this despondency?!"
Listen to a recording of the session.
April 9: Chakras + the Gita: The Purpose of Willingness
We live in a culture founded on Willfulness. (Those boats didn't make it over a vast ocean on a flat planet with Columbus and the others without a sense of Willfulness. And, we didn't overtake this continent from the native populations without a sense of entitled willfulness.)
So, in a way it makes sense that we are very confused about the places for Self-Will, Will Power, Willfulness, and Willingness in our culture.
Listen to a recording of the session.
April 16: Chakras + the Gita: The Meaning of Laying Down Your Weapons
A pivotal moment exists in the Gita. Arjuna is given a choice: Either take his teachers' entire army and all of his weapons into this battle;
OR
Take only his teacher into the battle.
His choice is potent for all of us, especially as Arjuna represents the 3rd Chakra in the 7 Chakra system.
Listen to a recording of the session.
April 23: Chakras + the Gita:
The Difficulty with Premature Compassion
Compassion is a wonderful quality in human potential. It is innately installed into our hearts already! (Brahmaviharas). However, for many of us on the spiritual journey we're running the risk of Compassion without Discernment. And Compassion without Action. Or without Reciprocity.
We call this Premature Compassion. Sadly, it will inherently contribute to unforeseen difficulties.
Listen to a recording of the session.
MAY SERIES FOCUS TOPICS: SUTRAS + KOSHAS
April 30 Yoga Sutras 1.1 - 1.11:
What is the true nature of the mind?
By now all of you have heard our discussion on the ripples on the surface of the water - they distort the view of the sky above and they obscure our view what is underneath the water. If yoga is defined as Seeing Clearly, learning to still the mind is essential.
But, we sometimes fear that stillness. What if the true nature of our mind is actually uniquely NOT Yogic? What if these teachings work for everyone except us?
Listen to a recording of the session.
May 7 Yoga Sutras 1.12 - 1.16:
Why a full-hearted commitment also needs mental surrender.
The heart cannot be required to constantly battle with the mind. At some point, we must bring in the greater wisdom even yet - and tell the mind to stop intruding on the heart. If we are to become free the mind must eventually surrender its incessant and insistent broadcasts.
Listen to a recording of the session.
May 14 Yoga Sutras 1.17 - 1.22:
Why Concentration Must Get More Subtle
"That which is essential is invisible to the eye."
- The Little Prince
If we are going to see into the nature of reality, we must learn to look with even more subtle attention, more subtle concentration.
Listen to a recording of the session.
May 21 The 5 Koshas: How Teachers Can Prevent Burn Out
As we learn to see with more subtlety, our understanding of the 5 Kosha model will come to life. Seeing our inner life through this lens prevents burn out. Keeping in mind that Burn Out is always relational, it might surprise you to learn how the kosha model can be applied here to prevent you from having teacher burn out syndrome!
Listen to a recording of the session.
May 28 The 5 Koshas: The Roles of Community and the Individual
While the Kosha model was offered to us as a view of human nature, and is most often translated as referring to our individual ecology (our individual personhood), in yoga and social justice (and in the yoga that originated in a tribal culture), it makes sense that the kosha model is also a model for community. And, since our healing is interwoven with all others, we will greatly benefit our collective journey by understanding the koshas through the lens of a community health imperative.
Listen to a recording of the session
JUNE + JULY FOCUS TOPICS: SUFFERING + ALLEVIATION of SUFFERING
June 4: Yoga Sutras 2.3 - 2.9: Is suffering Optional?
Listen to a recoding of the session
June 11: Yoga Sutras 1.33 - 1.39: What Is Already Installed in Your Heart
Listen to a recoding of the session Part 1
Listen to a recoding of the session Part 2
June 25: Seeing Clearly
Listen to a recording of the session
July 2: What Is Yoga (teacher training) Doing To Your Life?
Listen to a recording of the session
July 16: Not Knowing What’s Next Is Okay!
Listen to a recording of the session
July 23:
Listen to a recording of the session
April 2: Chakras + the Gita: The Purpose of Despondency
We may wonder about these huge moments of despondency that seem to fall into our lives. "Wait!" we may say to ourselves, or to God, or some other force, "I practice yoga, I eat right, I am nice to people! Why am I facing this despondency?!"
Listen to a recording of the session.
April 9: Chakras + the Gita: The Purpose of Willingness
We live in a culture founded on Willfulness. (Those boats didn't make it over a vast ocean on a flat planet with Columbus and the others without a sense of Willfulness. And, we didn't overtake this continent from the native populations without a sense of entitled willfulness.)
So, in a way it makes sense that we are very confused about the places for Self-Will, Will Power, Willfulness, and Willingness in our culture.
Listen to a recording of the session.
April 16: Chakras + the Gita: The Meaning of Laying Down Your Weapons
A pivotal moment exists in the Gita. Arjuna is given a choice: Either take his teachers' entire army and all of his weapons into this battle;
OR
Take only his teacher into the battle.
His choice is potent for all of us, especially as Arjuna represents the 3rd Chakra in the 7 Chakra system.
Listen to a recording of the session.
April 23: Chakras + the Gita:
The Difficulty with Premature Compassion
Compassion is a wonderful quality in human potential. It is innately installed into our hearts already! (Brahmaviharas). However, for many of us on the spiritual journey we're running the risk of Compassion without Discernment. And Compassion without Action. Or without Reciprocity.
We call this Premature Compassion. Sadly, it will inherently contribute to unforeseen difficulties.
Listen to a recording of the session.
MAY SERIES FOCUS TOPICS: SUTRAS + KOSHAS
April 30 Yoga Sutras 1.1 - 1.11:
What is the true nature of the mind?
By now all of you have heard our discussion on the ripples on the surface of the water - they distort the view of the sky above and they obscure our view what is underneath the water. If yoga is defined as Seeing Clearly, learning to still the mind is essential.
But, we sometimes fear that stillness. What if the true nature of our mind is actually uniquely NOT Yogic? What if these teachings work for everyone except us?
Listen to a recording of the session.
May 7 Yoga Sutras 1.12 - 1.16:
Why a full-hearted commitment also needs mental surrender.
The heart cannot be required to constantly battle with the mind. At some point, we must bring in the greater wisdom even yet - and tell the mind to stop intruding on the heart. If we are to become free the mind must eventually surrender its incessant and insistent broadcasts.
Listen to a recording of the session.
May 14 Yoga Sutras 1.17 - 1.22:
Why Concentration Must Get More Subtle
"That which is essential is invisible to the eye."
- The Little Prince
If we are going to see into the nature of reality, we must learn to look with even more subtle attention, more subtle concentration.
Listen to a recording of the session.
May 21 The 5 Koshas: How Teachers Can Prevent Burn Out
As we learn to see with more subtlety, our understanding of the 5 Kosha model will come to life. Seeing our inner life through this lens prevents burn out. Keeping in mind that Burn Out is always relational, it might surprise you to learn how the kosha model can be applied here to prevent you from having teacher burn out syndrome!
Listen to a recording of the session.
May 28 The 5 Koshas: The Roles of Community and the Individual
While the Kosha model was offered to us as a view of human nature, and is most often translated as referring to our individual ecology (our individual personhood), in yoga and social justice (and in the yoga that originated in a tribal culture), it makes sense that the kosha model is also a model for community. And, since our healing is interwoven with all others, we will greatly benefit our collective journey by understanding the koshas through the lens of a community health imperative.
Listen to a recording of the session
JUNE + JULY FOCUS TOPICS: SUFFERING + ALLEVIATION of SUFFERING
June 4: Yoga Sutras 2.3 - 2.9: Is suffering Optional?
Listen to a recoding of the session
June 11: Yoga Sutras 1.33 - 1.39: What Is Already Installed in Your Heart
Listen to a recoding of the session Part 1
Listen to a recoding of the session Part 2
June 25: Seeing Clearly
Listen to a recording of the session
July 2: What Is Yoga (teacher training) Doing To Your Life?
Listen to a recording of the session
July 16: Not Knowing What’s Next Is Okay!
Listen to a recording of the session
July 23:
Listen to a recording of the session
If you’re interested in listening to any of the past Dharma Study Group discussions, please click here.
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