This page contains the pre-homework for Yoga Bloom LAB Therapeutic Training Geometry in Aatomy.

We begin with the concept of discovering ourselves and understanding who we are. The idea of sincerity and clarity is critical to becoming a solid yoga therapist, because it is only when we have clear vision that we can proceed.

Please review the information below, as we will use it for discussion and direction when we meet. Give yourself time to contemplate the philosophy questions, and understand, literally in your bones, the anatomy listed below. Be prepared to discuss during Module I

1. ANATOMY: review these links and make yourself familiar with the information. Many of these include quizzes, so be sure to take advantage of those by testing your knowledge.

Helpful Hints:

Self Testing:

2. PHILOSOPHY:

Yogi as Observer
To prepare for our session, begin a gratitude practice. Each day, make a list of three things you are grateful for. You will not be required to share the specifics of your list, but we will discuss what this practice helps you notice in your life.

Purusha and Prakriti
We will discuss Purusha and Prakriti during this module. 

These two principles called Purusha and Prakriti are the primordial pair in Samkhya philosophy. Sāṃkhya सांख्य is one of the six schools of Hindu and classical Indian philosophy. The Samkhya school is dualistic and atheistic, and  is one of the oldest philosophical systems in India.

Sāmkhya sees the universe as made of two realities: Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (phenomenal realm of matter). They are the experiencer and the experienced. Everything in reality is a combination of these two: Purusha and Prakriti. Purusha is formless witness -awareness and Prakriti is the ever changing material realm. Purusha and Prakriti are the Subject/ Object of all experience, and understanding this duality illuminates our practice.

Here are some links to articles about Purusha and Prakriti

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

Read Samadhi Pada (first chapter). We will discuss the meaning of yoga and examine how the philosophy of yoga understands the human condition. To prepare, read Sutras I.1-6 (translations here for your easy reference).

Reflect on how your experiences inform your understanding of Sutras I.1-6.

3. Reading: Please read the book Living Your Yoga by Judith Hanson Lasater.This book is available as an e-book here.
Pay special attention when she discusses how she handled the cherry pie crisis and “slef” (nope, that’s not a typo!).

Could this example be applicable in your yoga classroom. Be ready to discuss this in our session.

For your assignments after Modules, you will always have a book report due, so please look at Reading List here. In each Yoga Bloom Advanced Training Module, you will choose 2-4 of these books to read, reflect and report.

  • Reflect on what they teach you about sharing this practice.
  • Write a 250-350 word essay about how this would effect you as a yoga teacher.

Study and practice are both very important, but they must go hand in hand. Faith without knowledge is not sufficient. Faith needs to be supported by reason. However intellectual understanding that is not applied in practice is also of little use. Whatever we learn from study we need to apply sincerely in our daily lives.

~ H. H. Dalai Lama