“Yoga is a philosophy that combines a set of ethics with ways of connecting the head, hands, and heart. The ethics are common to most major religions. Some people feel the practice of yoga qualifies as a religion. In fact, the practice of yoga offers a set of tools that can be used by anyone to cultivate their sense of Awe, wherever they may find it.”

—Professor Diane Finlayson,

​

Many courses have connected the ‘heart’ with ‘yoga’ in their very titles, equating ‘yoga’ with single yoga philosophy, or idea of the "essence" of yoga teachings. This course is an exploration of yoga philosophy as an exploration of the ‘hearts’ of those practicing yoga — in its different forms — through the ages (2000 B.C to 2020 A.D.).

​

The different forms of yoga philosophy are expressions of their hearts — their understanding of what they seek through their practice, or the meaning and significance of their goals — through the ‘philosophy’ they taught as the guide for their practice.

​

This opens us up to the rich variety of approaches to yoga, and allows us to recognize those with whom we resonate, as well as giving us the space to recognize aspects of yoga philosophy arising at different times in history as aspects with which we do not resonate — and with which we may, in fact, argue.

And most of all, the study of yoga philosophy(ies), with its various tools and perspectives, is an invitation to you to study your own heart as a yogi or yogini, enriched by the contemplations that came before us.