Outstanding education in yoga from the heart of Mysore!

Learn the Philosophical background of Sri Krishnamacharya 

Gitartha Sangraha with Dr. M. A. Alwar

Online Every other Saturday morning at 10am CST usa

16:00 London

17:00 Western Europe

18:00 Eastern Europe/Greece/Israel

20:30 Indian standard Time

We are overjoyed to offer you an exceptional educational opportunity! This is the deep philosophy handed down in Sri Krishnamacharya’s spiritual tradition for the last thousand years. If you practice Ashtanga Yoga or one of its derivative forms and you would like to learn about the philosophy and history associated with this lineage of yoga practice, this is a very special opportunity! Gitartha Sangraha was composed by the sage Yamunacharya in the 10th century CE. It is a 32 verse summary of the Bhagavad Gita. If we want to study the spiritual traditions of Mysore India and understand the meaning of Mysore Yoga Parampara, this text is very important. Sri Krishnamacharya is considered to be the “Father of Modern Yoga.” This great teacher came through an ancient lineage of yoga called Nathamuni Sampradaya. The Gitartha Sangraha contains the core spiritual teachings of Nathamuni Sampradaya. This course will be a journey into the ancient spiritual philosophy and view of life that yoga as we know it has come from.

Dr. M. A. Alwar is a renowned Sanskrit scholar and a senior professor at the Maharaja’s Sanskrit College in Mysore India. He is the president of Samskriti Foundation and also the co-organizer of Mysore Yoga Conference. It is only because of him that we are able to create the outstanding educational opportunities that we offer each year in our conference.

Sri Alwar is the current Acharya or spiritual leader of Nathamuni Sampradaya. Having grown up in this tradition and trained under his father Sri Lakshmithathacharya Swami, who was the previous Acharya, he is one of the world’s foremost experts in this philosophy. Each aspect of this ancient scripture will be carefully explained.

User friendly format

The text will be taught at a gentle pace so that everyone can understand and digest it properly. We will learn one verse per week. The lessons will include chanting and pronunciation of the verses as well as their meaning and philosophical implications. Join us for a truly yogic endeavor as we learn philosophy with a great scholar who is capable of imparting an authentic perspective, teaching these ancient ideas in modern terms.

The lectures will take place via Zoom. There will be slides so that you can see each verse written in Roman as well as Sanskrit letters while Sri Alwar teaches. You will have permanent access to a recording of each lecture. Each lecture will be approximately one hour. We will study for 32 weeks until we have completed the entire Gitartha Sangraha.

Schedule

Please check your time zone to determine whether you will be able to attend the lectures live. Fill out the form below and we will send you the zoom links before each session. Because of Sri Alwar’s travel schedule there may be times when we move our timings around. If you cannot attend live, you can still participate by listening to the lectures and you can send your questions and comments which will be addressed in the next weeks lecture. This course will continue for 8 months until we have completed the entire Gitarta Sangraha.

Want to join in the middle? No problem! You can attend a single lecture with no obligations. Each verse of Gitartha Sangraha is a stand alone piece of philosophy that will add to your understanding of yoga. You will receive a recording of the lecture you attend and if you decide to join the whole program you will receive all previous lectures so that you can catch up.

According to ancient tradition the Gitarta Sangraha is arranged somewhat like a mandala. The first verse contains the essence of the entire Bhagavad Gita in one verse. In thirty-two syllables to be exact. The next three verses each cover one third of the Gita. By the time we have gone through the first four verses we will have already covered the Bhagavad Gita twice. The next 18 verses each cover one chapter of the Gita. Then there are ten additional verses summing things up. This traditional style of learning is designed to help memorize the core concepts of the text so that it can be retained for life and actually become part of one’s world view and understanding of yoga.

• Memorize the core concepts of the Bhagavad Gita with correct perspective given by a masterful teacher.

• Learn to chant from memory and correctly pronounce the Sanskrit verses.

• Literal translation so that you actually know what the words mean.

• Philosophical translation with stories and metaphors.

• Learn about the many cross connections and references to other texts which only a great scholar who is fully versed in Indian Philosophy is capable of teaching.

• Ask your questions directly to Sri Alwar who will answer them clearly.

• You will have access to an international community of sincere yoga practitioners to share your ideas and experiences with.

To join the course fill out the form below and choose a payment option.

Price for entire 32 lectures and recordings of the Gitarta Sangraha $320 (all recorded lessons provided)

Drop in for a single lecture $15

(recordings of attended lectures are provided)

*If the economy in your country cannot support these prices, or if your country is at war, please contact Andrew for a discounted price or scholarship. okiebaba@gmail.com