Hello friends - today is a great day!

If you really want to understand the Yoga Sūtras well, then an overview of the flow of development through each of the four chapters (Pādas) is invaluable. This provides the proper context for understanding each of the 195 sūtras. So this week’s (part 1) and next week’s (part 2) should prove to be both highly valuable and highly useful for you (I hope). Check it out ... Om Tat Sat

If you would like to follow along, with the chanting & lessons in these episodes, you can purchase our textbooks, Sanskrit & Chanting, through our website: ashtangayogaorangecounty.com/books or you can always just listen … either way, please enjoy!

To follow the chanting from our books, it is much easier to use Vol. 3 which is simply a pure collection of Mantras without any extras. However, you can also use Vol. 1, but you will have to turn the pages many many more times. With that said, the opening mantras are found in Sanskrit & Chanting Vol. 3, Page 1 & 2, or Sanskrit & Chanting Vol. 1, Pages 2 - 10.

Om Tat Sat

In this episode we continue our discussion of the five vṛttis as explained in Yoga Sūtras, 1.09 - 1.11: Vikalpa (imagination), Nidrā (sleep) & Smṛti (memory), the first two vṛttis discussed previously are Pramāṇa (right understanding) & Viparaya (wrong understanding). We look at the three ways that knowledge is gained: Pratyakṣa (perception), Anumāna (logical inference) & Āgama (reliable source). These can produce correct or incorrect understandings. Is the knowledge true or false and does it or does it not correlate to an existing object?

If you would like to follow along, with the chanting & lessons in these episodes, you can purchase our textbooks, Sanskrit & Chanting, through our website: ashtangayogaorangecounty.com/books or you can always just listen … either way, please enjoy!

To follow the chanting from our books, it is much easier to use Vol. 3 which is simply a pure collection of Mantras without any extras. However, you can also use Vol. 1, but you will have to turn the pages many many more times. With that said, the opening mantras are found in Sanskrit & Chanting Vol. 3, Page 1 & 2, or Sanskrit & Chanting Vol. 1, Pages 2 - 10.

Om Tat Sat

In this episode we continue with our discussion of the Yoga Sūtras, 1.05 - 1.08: What are the Vṛttis? Are they mere mental wanderings, or are they highly useful - but equally mischievous - mental faculties? An improved understanding of our mind helps us clear away false thinking to improve our efficiency & insight.

If you would like to follow along, with the chanting & lessons in these episodes, you can purchase our textbooks, Sanskrit & Chanting, through our website: ashtangayogaorangecounty.com/books or you can always just listen … either way, please enjoy!

To follow the chanting from our books, it is much easier to use Vol. 3 which is simply a pure collection of Mantras without any extras. However, you can also use Vol. 1, but you will have to turn the pages many many more times. With that said, the opening mantras are found in Sanskrit & Chanting Vol. 3, Page 1 & 2, or Sanskrit & Chanting Vol. 1, Pages 2 - 10.

Om Tat Sat

In today's episode we cover three topics as well as our usual chanting. 

1. We discuss the precision melodies of Vedic chanting.

2. We delve into the Ashtānga Yoga opening prayer in a surprisingly relevant way, and lastly,

3. I tell the yogic allegory entitled The Churning of the Ocean of Milk, and at the conclusion, reveal its relationship to the Ashtānga Yoga opening prayer.

If you would like to follow along, with the chanting & lessons in these episodes, you can purchase our textbooks, Sanskrit & Chanting, through our website: ashtangayogaorangecounty.com/books or you can always just listen … either way, please enjoy!

To follow the chanting from our books, it is much easier to use Vol. 3 which is simply a pure collection of Mantras without any extras. However, you can also use Vol. 1, but you will have to turn the pages many many more times. With that said, the opening mantras are found in Sanskrit & Chanting Vol. 3, Page 1 & 2, or Sanskrit & Chanting Vol. 1, Pages 2 - 10.

Om Tat Sat

Satsaṅga - Episode 2: Sanskrit Pronunciation pt. 1

In this episode, we cover some subtle basics of pronunciation. You can find the material of this pronunciation lesson in two places: 1. in the beginning section of each book is a page titled, “Quick Guide to Sanskrit Pronunciation,” and 2. in Sanskrit & Chanting Vol. 1 on pg. 34 is the exercise practiced in this episode.

The opening matras can be found in Sanskrit & Chanting Vol. 3 on pg. 1 - 2, or in Vol. 1 on pgs. 2 - 10.

If you would like to follow along, with the chanting & lessons in these episodes, you can purchase our textbooks, Sanskrit & Chanting, through our website: ashtangayogaorangecounty.com

Satsaṅga - The Role of Being Present in Yoga - Episode 1: Yoga Sūtras 1.01 - 1.04

We discuss how the theory of being present applies in situations where the force of our passions compel us into actions that will surely generate much suffering for ourselves and those around us (e.g. harsh speech & anger).

The opening matras can be found in Sanskrit & Chanting Vol. 3 on pg. 1 - 2, or in Vol. 1 on pgs. 2 - 10.

If you would like to follow along, with the chanting & lessons in these episodes, you can purchase our textbooks, Sanskrit & Chanting, through our website: ashtangayogaorangecounty.com

Weekly classes beginning Wed, June 1 here in Orange County, 6:15 - 7:45pm. Philosophy, Chanting & Prāṇāyāma classes gather in Irvine, in a private home. Please contact for location details.