“With a strong lens the sun’s rays, focused through it, can ignite wood. Yoga practice, similarly, so concentrates the mind that the curtain of doubt and uncertainty is burned away, and the light if inner truth becomes manifest.”
—Paramhansa Yogananda
Raja Yoga: The Science of
Self-Realization
For anyone who wants to understand Yoga—and life—more deeply.
Once each year, you can immerse in a 12-week intensive in meditation, yoga postures, and the science of spiritual awakening—the central teachings and philosophy of Yoga. Form deep, spiritually based friendships as you work together as a group to explore the many facets of Yoga.
You’ll study Swami Kriyananda’s The Art and Science of Raja, which in turn is drawn from Paramhansa Yogananda’s writings and teachings.
Each class, we’ll start with yoga postures, followed by a period of chanting and meditation. Then the class will go deeply into the Raja Yoga lessons, with discussion as well as time for practice and exercises. This study over the course of several months will give you an invaluable experience of the Yogic way of life, so that you can experience the benefits in your daily life.
Wednesdays, January–March, 6–9 pm
$325
includes Raja Yoga: The Science of Self-Realization study guide (471 pages)
by Swami Kriyananda
Register on-line (10% discount).
What you’ll learn each week:
• Meditation for focusing your mind and calming your emotions.
• Yoga postures to keep you fit physically, mentally, and emotionally.
• Philosophy of Yoga for personal and spiritual growth, drawn from Patanjali’s teachings on yoga and passed down in an unbroken lineage from ancient times.
• Healing for balance and harmony in the body.
• Breathing to increase awareness and energy, improve health, and deepen meditation.
• Yogic principles of diet to enhance mental clarity and health.
This course helps fulfill your prerequisite for Kriya initiation, should you be interested in going further with your meditation practices.
Raja Yoga: a scientific approach to the spiritual life
Yoga makes no statement which cannot be tested by you in the laboratory of your own life. Paramhansa Yogananda encouraged this scientific approach to the spiritual life, “Religionists should learn above all to test their beliefs, just as science does. Religious leaders should encourage people to prove the teachings of their faith in their own lives, and not to remain satisfied with the claims of others.”
Raja Yoga: An ancient tradition
Many of the techniques that you will learn in Raja Yoga are more than 6,000 years old. Sages of ancient India developed and refined the science of Yoga based on their personal experience of higher realities.
A complete reference on Raja Yoga
When we learn by studying and discussing a book, knowledge is more easily retained. We will practice the yoga postures described in the Raja Yoga lessons, experience the breathing and meditation techniques, and have open discussions about the philosophy and application of Yoga in daily life. When the course is over, these yoga teachings in book form will be a lifelong spiritual friend, at your fingertips whenever you need it.
Study materials by a leading authority on Yoga
Since 1949, Swami Kriyananda has taught yoga and meditation to hundreds of thousands of students around the world. He has dedicated the last 54 years of his life to serving Yogananda’s work and sharing his teachings with others. He is one of the leading authorities on yoga in the world today, and author of numerous books on the art of practical spiritual living. His teaching is clear, warm, and down-to-earth, filled with humor and helpful examples. The most complex, esoteric aspects of yoga are made simple to grasp and apply.
“This class answered many questions about spirituality that I’ve had for years. In addition, the yoga postures were gentle and energizing. I looked forward to class every week.”
—Sylvia Longchamps, Moffett Field
“The yoga classes not only focused on the physical postures, but the philosophy, meditation, breathing, diet and routine of healthy spiritual living.”
—Laurie Williard, San Carlos
“An exceptional group of instructors. This course was more than I expected or hoped for. After 18 years of immersion in metaphysical and spiritual studies, finally all the loose threads are tied together. Each week, I am ‘knocked out’ by the depth and breadth of the material. Life changing.”
—Claire Heisterberg, Mountain View
“A wonderful blend of practical spirituality, philosophic discussion, yoga and sharing.”
—Jay Petersen, Mountain View
“Excellent. Instructors were knowledgable and inspiring”
—Carol Overland, Mountain View
“All the meditation techniques that I have been learning are adding more joy to my life a little bit at a time. Some days I am filled with joy. Thank you all.”
—Gregg James, East Palo Alto
What is Raja Yoga?
“Raja Yoga views human nature as a kingdom composed of many psychological tendencies and physical attributes, all of which require considerate attention. A king cannot afford to favor one class of his subjects at the expense of all others, lest dissatisfaction among the rest sow seeds of rebellion. Man, similarly, progresses most smoothly when all aspects of his nature are developed harmoniously. The raja yogi, or kingly yogi, therefore, is enjoined to rule his inner kingdom wisely and with moderation, developing all aspects of his nature in a balanced, integrated way. Since it is the soul which is the true ruler of man’s inner kingdom, the development of soul-consciousness, by daily meditation, forms the principal activity of Raja Yoga. But even meditation, if one-sided, can result in imbalances. The raja yogi is therefore encouraged to develop all sides of his nature—always, however, with a view to neutralizing the waves of his likes and dislikes, and not, by egoistic self-expression, to creating ever-new eddies of selfish involvement.”
—Swami Kriyananda, Raja Yoga: The Science of Self-Realization
