Intro to the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali-
Chapters 1 & 2
A course in Life Skills
A 6 Weeks Online Course in Classical Yoga Philosophy
with “Acharya” Cher Meli
Remote Learning
Conveniently at your own pace and in your own time, from the comfort of your home.
Svādhyāya
Cultivate a healthy relationship with yourself (and consequently, others) through the classical yogic practice of “self-study” as you journey through the sūtras.
Online Community
Become a part of a global, growing community of those who seek to evolve through the classical teachings of yoga.
Have you been looking to deepen your understanding of yoga beyond āsana desiring more from your practice? Are you curious about Classical Yoga philosophy? What is the Yogasūtra? How does it help me to live with much greater ease? How do I do it? And how does the Yogasūtra relate (or not) to contemporary postural yoga practice?
Join Cher Meli, teacher of teachers, for an exciting 10-hour online course that will provide you with an introduction to the history, philosophy, and practice of the Yogasūtra. Through *video lectures, slides, PDF handouts, quizzes, optional readings, and practices together we will immerse into a practical exploration of one of yoga’s most ancient, important, and mis-understood scriptures
*This course will also occasionally be offered with live lecture, q&a and practice sessions.
The Yogasūtra of Patañjali is a compilation of fundamental yogic teachings drawn from the greatest yogic philosophical texts, rendered into 195 short, dense, Sanskrit aphorisms or “sūtras,”. Patanjali, believed to exist some 1,500-2,000 years ago, curated this oldest surviving systematization of Yoga philosophy and practice. The YS is the foundational text for the Yoga philosophical tradition (darśana) and is a profound treatise on the nature of the human condition—the mechanics and layers of the mind-body-spirit, the cause of human suffering, and a systematic map of psychophysical practices that can be cultivated in order to obtain freedom from the perpetuation of suffering.
The Yoga Sūtras are the scriptural authority and source text for modern postural yoga. Regularly assigned in Yoga Teacher Training programs, with commentaries from scholars, philosophers and master teachers from around the world and throughout time, it is hailed as the definitive guide for yoga practice. Interestingly, as we will learn in this course, the YS says very little about āsana or postural yoga. Rather than an exposition on physical or postural yoga, the YS is a philosophically rich treatise on the practical applications of meditation and deepened states of concentration. It speaks of the ability for the aspiring yogi in cultivating the ability to distinguish between the real and the unreal—ultimately, to perceive reality clearly, and to know and rest in one’s true nature
This new online course offers an introduction to the first two chapters of the Yoga sutras which are most relevant to cultivating a regular practice:
| Chapter One – Sāmadhi Pāda defines yoga and it’s characteristics; the mind and it’s mechanisms; the root causes of our suffering and how to reduce or delink from said suffering. | Chapter Two- Sādhana Pāda describes the qualities and the practices necessary to change the mind gradually and effectively from a state of perpetual ruminating to one which is intentional in its trajectory. |
Cher offers the Yoga Sutras in a personable and truly accessible manner giving you an opportunity to explore the Yoga Sūtras in a practical and applicable way.
"A practical approach to a timeless science &philosophy for living"
What Students Are Saying...
Cher Meli is a magical, authentic being. Remaining humble while sharing her vast knowledge, Cher creates a safe container for those looking to deepen their own understanding of the Yoga Sutras. Her teachings provide space for the over all grasp of the Sutras as well the interpretation of the individual student. Highly recommend anyone ready to take this deep dive into self along side her, it is a truly a treat.
– Jody Heavey
The course was full of deep wisdom. Cher has a beautiful way of articulating her knowings and is a wealth of information. It’s great to have recordings to revisit and review. It was also so lovely to connect with other like minded people on our group calls. Definitely a must take to dive into deep philosophies of living! Beautiful course!
– Erin Cutrone
Topics covered in this introductory course include:
✔ Who was Patañjali? What are the origins of the Yoga Sutras
✔ The importance of the Bhāṣya (commentary)
✔ The nature and psychology of the human mind
✔ The nature and cause of human suffering
✔ How the mental and physical practices of yoga relate to its philosophy
✔ Kriyāyoga, the “Yoga of Action”
✔ Aṣṭāṅgayoga, the “The Eight Auxiliaries of Yoga”
✔ The traditional function and context of Yoga ethics: the Yamas and Niyamas
✔ The role of Āsana or Posture within Classical Yoga
✔ The function of Prāṇāyāma
✔ What is Samādhi
✔ How does the YS relate to modern yoga practice?
Students enrolled in this course will receive:
6 video + audio lectures (pre-recorded) 7 Q&A session videos (pre-recorded) Cher’s Original Translation of the Yogasūtra (PDF) Course Syllabus with Recommended Readings (PDF) Additional Handouts (PDF) Yogic Studies Certificate upon completion (PDF) Access to the private Yogic Studies Online Community.
Your Instructor
Cher Meli is a master teacher of meditation, executive mindset coach, and yoga instructor with nearly 25 years of teaching experience. Her relatability is key to her success and sets her apart from others in the field.
Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that one’s relationship with self is the foundation for defining all other relationships. Her work is for those who are ready to take “Empowered Responsibility” for their choices and life—courageously recognizing themselves as the common factor in all of their life experiences.
Through guided meditation and self-study, open dialogue, breath focus, and various other tools, Cher helps her clients lift the veil of conditioning and deeply seeded beliefs and gain insight into themselves. Cher has led seminars, workshops, retreats, and spoken at lectures internationally.
Cher Meli is a master teacher of meditation, executive mindset coach, and yoga instructor with nearly 25 years of teaching experience. Her relatability is key to her success and sets her apart from others in the field.
Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that one’s relationship with self is the foundation for defining all other relationships. Her work is for those who are ready to take “Empowered Responsibility” for their choices and life—courageously recognizing themselves as the common factor in all of their life experiences.
Through guided meditation and self-study, open dialogue, breath focus, and various other tools, Cher helps her clients lift the veil of conditioning and deeply seeded beliefs and gain insight into themselves. Cher has led seminars, workshops, retreats, and spoken at lectures internationally. As a meditation and mindset coach, she guides individuals to realizing their unique, personal potential and living authentically with a productive contribution to the collective.
Cher comes from an ancestral line of wise healers. Her grandmother, Taneo Sands-Kumalae, was a master Kahuna in the Hawaiian Spirituality Tradition of Huna and had transmitted many of her teachings before her passing. Cher holds the equivalent to a Master’s Degree informal studies, including with The White Lotus Foundation, Yoga Therapy Training with Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram/ Healing Yoga Foundation/Yoga Foundation, and Boundless Leadership with Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, to name just a few.
This course will also occasionally be offered with live lecture, q&a and practice sessions. Check www.chermeli.com/yoga-sutra/ for Live course calendar.
After nearly 25years of intensive, Classical Yogic Studies and teaching in the Krishnamachary Tradition, Cher Meli is a “teacher of teachers”. Her passion lies in holding true to the undiluted teachings of the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali and yoga as a science and philosophy as holistic therapy. With great fortune, she has studied with some of the greatest teachers of our time including being mentored through her very first teacher training by Erich Shiffman.
While studying the very disciplined Ashtanga yoga with Maty Ezraty at Yoga Works in Santa Monica, CA, she met and not only fell in love with the free flow teachings of Shiva Rea , but also began learning from Shiva as an assistant in her yoga intensives, trainings & workshops. Cher’s passion for yogic philosophy and yoga as meditation was a result of completing a 500hr training with TKV Desikachar and his stateside teachers including her continued teacher, Danielle Tarantola. Cher leads classes, training & intensives for dedicated students and teachers of yoga both here in the US and Internationally.
Book A Discovery Call with Cher
Are you interested in offering this Yoga Sutra Course as a Module for your Yoga Teacher Training Program?
Frequently Asked
Questions
The course was originally recorded for a 6-week program. But now upon enrollment you will have immediate access to ALL six modules, and can take the course entirely at your own pace.
The six modules include the pre-recorded video lecture and Q&A session, quiz, and any PDF materials for that week. Each video lecture is comprised of keynote slides, lectures and Pdfs. They are visually rich, clearly organized, and engaging. The first module provides the historical and philosophical context. The remaining nine consist of close and detailed readings of the Sūtras.
There are two potential options: the first being to submit your “Questions for Cher” in the Admin Portal in the course platform. If the answer is not clarifying your question and you need further support, I am happy to add occasional Offie Hours for Q&A at times that will be more convenient for you and the cohort.
Cancellation/Refund Policy
*Since the primary content of this course lives in the portal and can be self-guided, refunds are not an option. That said, in certain circumstances, a credit for the cost of the course can be an option. Should you wish to receive a credit (and lose access) for the course, please email Info@CherMeli.com