Living the Yoga Sutras

Living the Yoga Sutras

Practical Steps to Higher Awareness

Online: OCT - NOV, 2025

Be a channel of higher consciousness for those in need

Experience the very essence of Yoga with Ananda’s unique approach to the Yoga Sutras. Under the expert guidance of Nayaswami Gyandev and Nayaswami Diksha, you’ll go beyond philosophy to understand more deeply how to access the higher realms of consciousness—and begin to do it. Paramhansa Yogananda’s action-oriented teachings will give you the practical tools to get there.

This course offers both a Regular track and a Teacher track. Both offer an empowering blend of step-by-step methods, deep insights, clear direction, and support from both faculty and classmates.

Anyone is welcome to participate in the Regular track. The Teacher track is for certified Ananda Yoga and Ananda Meditation teachers who will do additional coursework to earn credit toward Level 2 teacher certification: more coursework, more interaction with classmates and faculty, and special assignments in teaching elements of the Yoga Sutras.

Students in both tracks engage in course activities together, although those in the Regular track can proceed at a slower pace if they like. See the FAQs below for more information.

6-Week Online, In-depth Course

Regular track:  $350 

Teacher track:  $450

Next offering: Fall 2025

 

“Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are a stirring cry to us to transcend all religious differences. Their basic message is, ‘Here are methods that can be tested and proved. You can know what God is from personal experience.’”

“Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are a stirring cry to us to transcend all religious differences. Their basic message is, ‘Here are methods that can be tested and proved. You can know what God is from personal experience.’”

Demystifying Patanjali, by Swami Kriyananda

Demystifying Patanjali, by Swami Kriyananda

Swami-Kriyananda-classic-photo-during-the-Janaka-Foundation-tea-in-August-2010-400x267-1-350x234

You Will Learn How To:

Ashtanga Yoga graphic

You’ll begin to live this deep scripture as you explore, not only Ashtanga Yoga (“eight-limbed union,” symbolized here), but also many other powerful—and less well known—Sutras teachings.

Swami Seated Pronam

“People talk about calming the mind in order to meditate. Although that’s true, it’s not the main thing. It’s the heart that needs to be calmed in order to meditate. It’s the desires of the heart that agitate the mind.”

“People talk about calming the mind in order to meditate. Although that’s true, it’s not the main thing. It’s the heart that needs to be calmed in order to meditate. It’s the desires of the heart that agitate the mind.”

— Swami Kriyananda

— Swami Kriyananda

Course Activities

Although Patanjali was a man, artists often portray him with a snake-like lower body. This represents the Kundalini energy, which you must raise in order to attain the high states described in the Yoga Sutras.

You can engage in most course activities at times of day that are convenient for you. Only the webinars take place at fixed times (see FAQs below), and those are recorded for the benefit of those who cannot participate at those times.

Those in the Teacher track will also practice teaching each other various aspects of the Sutras in conjunction with asana or meditation, after which they will present a short class to a non-classmate. All of this entails making and posting videos online.

 

Course Materials

Main Textbook

Your main textbook is Demystifying Patanjali, by Swami Kriyananda, who is Ananda’s founder and a close, direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda. You’ll also receive special articles, audios, and videos by Paramhansa Yogananda, Swami Kriyananda, and other Ananda teachers.

Demystifying Patanjali is highly readable: clear, concise, practical, and deep. It will give you new insights into the universal truths that underlie all spiritual traditions, and how to experience them through the nonsectarian tools of Yoga.

We recommend that you buy Demystifying Patanjali before the course begins (the book is not included in the course tuition), and read as much of it in advance as time allows. With this link , you’ll receive a 30% discount on your preferred version: ebook or paperback.

“Patanjali was an enlightened master, writing from a state of realization as well as practical knowledge. Far more than mere philosophical speculation, the Sutras come from revealed knowledge and serve as a road map for those who would explore the realm of Self-realization.”

“Patanjali was an enlightened master, writing from a state of realization as well as practical knowledge. Far more than mere philosophical speculation, the Sutras come from revealed knowledge and serve as a road map for those who would explore the realm of Self-realization.”

— Nayaswami Jyotish, How to Meditate

— Nayaswami Jyotish, How to Meditate

Jyotish.pranam

Meet Your Instructors

Nayaswami Gyandev, PhD, E-RYT 500

Gyandev is director of the Ananda School of Yoga & Meditation. A Certified Online Instructor, he has been teaching online for more than 10 years. He is also director of Ananda Yoga worldwide and co-directs the Ananda Meditation Teacher Training programs (online and in person). He has been training teachers of yoga and meditation for more than 25 years.

Gyandev is a Kriyacharya (teacher of Kriya Yoga), and he is known for his clarity of presentation, deep insights, high energy, kindness, and humor. He has shared the yoga teachings for more than 35 years with people from all walks of life, and from all over the world. Swami Kriyananda asked Gyandev to write the forward for this course’s textbook, Demystifying Patanjali.

A co-founder of Yoga Alliance, Gyandev has authored five books (including Spiritual Yoga: Awakening to Higher Awareness) as well as numerous video and audio products. From his base at The Expanding Light Retreat in Northern California, he also teaches across the U.S., and in Canada, India, and Europe.

Nayaswami Diksha, E-RYT 500

Diksha is a senior faculty member of the Ananda School of Yoga & Meditation and E-RYT 500. An experienced online instructor, she directs both the online and the in-person versions of Ananda Spiritual Counseling Training, and she co-direct Ananda Meditation Teacher Training.

Diksha has been practicing and sharing the yoga teachings for more than 30 years, and training meditation and yoga teachers for more than 20 years. A powerful and dynamic woman of great warmth and humor, she is gifted in both intelligence and intuition. In addition to teaching online and at The Expanding Light Retreat in Northern California, she has shared yogic teachings across the U.S., and in Canada, India, and Europe.

A native Israeli, Diksha moved to the U.S. in 1990. She brings a broad background to her teaching—from physical wellness to Ayurveda to profound spiritual understanding. Above all, she awakens in her students their own inner wisdom and the will and clarity to make positive changes in their lives.

Special Guest Instructors

Nayaswami Pranaba & Nayaswami Parvati

Two of Ananda’s most widely travelled and experienced teachers, Pranaba and Parvati will each present briefly on a Yoga Sutras topic that they find particularly helpful or inspiring. They taught the in-person version of this Yoga Sutras course for a number of years, and we’re delighted that they will also share some of their penetrating insights in this online version.

FAQs

Regular track: Open to everyone; no prior experience with the Yoga Sutras is required. If you have some meditation background, you will get more out of the course.

Teacher track: Open only to certified Ananda Yoga and Ananda Meditation teachers who wish to earn credit toward Level 2 certification.

 

Regular track: You can participate at any pace or level that you prefer. Each discussion forum, however, is active only during the week in which it opens.

Teacher track: You must stay current, week by week, throughout the course.

 

Regular track: You can participate as much or as little as you like, and at any pace that you like. Full participation is likely to take 3–5 hours per week.

Teacher track: Expect to spend 7–8 hours per week; some of that time is guided sadhana practice.

 

No, the course is always open. The only “live” events are webinars, which will take place 10:00–11:30 AM, Pacific Time on the following Saturdays: October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18. Also, one webinar is on Sunday, October 8, 10:00–11:30 AM.

Webinars will be recorded for the benefit of those who cannot participate “live.”

 

Absolutely! Plentiful interaction is a best practice in online learning, and this course is built upon best practices. Everyone can become part of the supportive learning community that forms while enjoying discussions, weekly “Sutras experiments” in practical spiritual living, a Q&A forum, and webinars.

Those in the Teacher track will also have special small-team discussions, receive faculty feedback on their weekly “Sutras experiments,” practice teaching classmates about the Yoga Sutras online, and receive faculty feedback on their final video in which they teach a non-classmate.

 

Yes, and we recommend it! The course website will open two weeks before the official start of the course. You can also buy your textbook, Demystifying Patanjali, by Swami Kriyananda (see “Course materials” above), and read as much of it as you can before the course begins. Pre-course reading is not required, but you’ll be happy that you did it.

 

All participants get lifetime access to a Review Course that includes all of the recorded audios and videos, as well as any supplemental materials. 

 

The course website is easy to use, plus it offers “how to” instructions to help you. You can participate via computer, tablet, or mobile phone.

Only those in the Teacher track need to make and upload videos, including Zoom videos in Gallery view. That’s not difficult, but it might take some practice to get it right. So we recommend that, prior to the course, you practice making and uploading a Zoom video (in Gallery view) to YouTube, and/or find someone who will help you.

 

No, not unless you are in the Teacher track and have no computer (only a tablet or mobile phone). A “Basic Plus” Zoom account costs only $7/month, and it would be needed during only one month of the course.

 

Yes. Those in the Teacher track can receive 30 hours of continuing education credit with Yoga Alliance. Other RYTs can receive fewer credit hours, and should discuss details in advance with Gyandev (see “More Questions?” below).

 

More Questions? Please email us.

“Just as a pure crystal reflects the true shape and color of objects that are placed before it, so the yogi’s mind, upon the neutralization of his vortices of emotion (in the heart), attains complete inner balance.”

“Just as a pure crystal reflects the true shape and color of objects that are placed before it, so the yogi’s mind, upon the neutralization of his vortices of emotion (in the heart), attains complete inner balance.”

Yoga Sutra 1:41

— Yoga Sutra 1:41

Yoga-Sutras-Patanjali

What Our Graduates Say

"Living The Sutras” goes way beyond a study of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and inspires you to examine your life and make practical shifts that uplift your consciousness. The curriculum is comprehensive; the faculty’s wisdom shines through in how they guide and inspire you to go deeper into these timeless teachings. A transformative journey with the Sutras!
Latha G.
India
Sushmita M.
India
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This course is life-transforming and the deepest insight from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras has been shared in the simplest possible way which has made the course even more valuable. Thanks to Gyandev & Diksha and entire team for putting this course together!!.
Christina F.
Las Vegas
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“Living the Yoga Sutras” with Online with Ananda is presented in a digestible, reasonably paced, and uplifting manner. The instructors are experienced and inspiring, offering participants a valuable, transformative experience though reflection and application to connect to Patanjali’s sacred text. The highlight was feeling like I was immersed in a daily retreat, but still able to continue my day-to-day responsibilities. As a result of the remote retreat/course, I was truly able to practice and test the teachings in every day life. I look forward to the next course. Thank you, Ananda, God, and Guru!
Willow
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This course has rejuvenated my spiritual practice. I’ve gained fresh insight into Yogic principles and I feel equipped with practical tools and a deeper meaning behind the practices I am currently using in my spiritual life. I’m looking forward applying all that I have learned in my meditation practice and in life in general. Thank you to all the Ananda teachers and staff that made this course possible ^_^
Nick M.
United Kingdom
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Living the Yoga Sutras is an extremely valuable course in which you will gain powerful insights into one of the most important scriptures ever written, and into your own spiritual journey. There are so many tools and techniques given within the course to calm the heart so that we can be quiet enough to experience our highest nature. The videos, guided meditations, reading exercises, quizzes, and discussion forums all help to deepen your understanding of these sacred teachings. I highly recommend this course for meditation teachers, yoga teachers, and anyone who wants to better understand spiritual evolution and the journey to Self-Realization.
Danda T.
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The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is a great spiritual course. I have learnt a lot from the course and gain spiritual knowlege to deepen my meditation. I learned so much about myself in the sutras. It is just like the Self_Manual on the path of Self Realization. I really like the group discuss where we can see others perspective about the topic and their world view. Break out session is very cool, I can feel the connection and share ideas with others in my comfort enviroment.
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Take Your Spiritual Life to the Next Level

Vritti whirlpool field

Vrittis of chitta—whirlpools of your “feeling” nature—keep you tied to lower awareness, says Patanjali. Yogananda gives you tools to neutralize them, and thereby experience your true Self.

Credit toward Certification and Continuing Education

  • Through this course, Ananda Yoga® and Ananda Meditation® teachers can earn credit toward Level 2 certification.
  • Yoga Alliance RYTs can receive up to 30 hours of continuing education credit. See final FAQ above.

Special Discounts

  • Couple’s discount: If one person enrolls in either of these two tracks, their partner can enroll in the Regular track at a 50% discount. Please indicate this on your application.

  • Past attendees of The Essence of the Yoga Sutras at The Expanding Light Retreat can receive a 50% discount. 

Living the Yoga Sutras

6-Week Online, In-depth Course

Dates: Oct  – Nov, 2025 (dates TBD)

Regular track:  $350 

Teacher track:  $450

Keys to the Yoga Sutras: A Different Approach

Available anytime • Self-paced

“Keys to the Yoga Sutras” is primarily a self-study course, so you can proceed at your own pace.

It differs from “Living the Yoga Sutras” in that it has no guided practices, interactive group activities, or weekly practical experiments; it offers fewer resources; and it does not offer credit toward advanced certification for Ananda Yoga and Ananda Meditation teachers.

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