Yoga Sutras Short & Sweet
Yoga Sūtras Short & Sweet is a clear, practice-friendly tour of Chapter One. Ten short talks make each sūtra easy to grasp—and apply in āsana, breath, and daily life.
Yoga Sūtras Short & Sweet is a concise, practice-friendly tour of Patañjali’s Chapter One (I.2–I.51). Each short talk translates a small set of sūtras into plain language and on-the-mat applications—so the ideas land in your body, breath, and daily life. You’ll learn: the five vṛttis (mental activities), abhyāsa & vairāgya (practice & non-attachment), the five supports (śraddhā, vīrya, smṛti, samādhi, prajñā), īśvara-praṇidhāna & Oṁ, the nine obstacles and their signs, practical tools (I.33–I.40) for clearing the mind, and the stages from with-support samādhi toward seedless samādhi. What you get: short, digestible lessons; concrete ways to weave the Sūtras into āsana, breath, and life; a grounded grasp of key themes—plus poems and stories that keep the philosophy vivid. Who it’s for: curious beginners, seasoned practitioners, and teachers wanting a concise, trustworthy guide to Chapter One. Outcome: language you understand, methods you can apply, and a steadier sense of the seer abiding in their own essence.
Course Content
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to have read the Yoga Sūtras before starting this course?
- No. Each class starts from the ground up. David explains the Sanskrit terms, gives plain-language definitions, and connects each sūtra directly to practice and daily life. Beginners and long-time practitioners alike will find it accessible.
- How long are the classes?
- Each talk is short and digestible, focusing on just a handful of sūtras at a time. This way, you can follow along without feeling overwhelmed, and you’ll actually have space to absorb and apply what you learn.
- Is this course only philosophy, or will it help with my āsana practice?
- Both. David continually ties the teachings to āsana, breathwork, and the realities of daily practice. You’ll see how concepts like abhyāsa (practice), vairāgya (non-attachment), and obstacles (antarāyas) show up directly on the mat.
- Can I take the course if I’m new to Ashtanga or yoga in general?
- Yes. You don’t need a background in Ashtanga or philosophy. The whole point of “Short & Sweet” is to make these foundational teachings understandable and useful, even if you’re just starting out.
- What will I actually learn by the end of the course?
- By the end, you’ll have a clear, working relationship with Chapter One of the Yoga Sūtras. You’ll understand key themes—like the definition of yoga, the five mental activities, abhyāsa and vairāgya, īśvara and Oṁ, obstacles and remedies, and the gradations of samādhi—and you’ll know how to apply them in your practice and life.
- Do I need a lot of time to commit to the course?
- No. The talks are intentionally short. You can move through them at your own pace, revisit them anytime, and layer the insights gradually into your practice.
- Is this course live or pre-recorded?
- The course is pre-recorded so you can go at your own pace and rewatch any class as often as you like.
- Do I get lifetime access?
- Yes, once you enroll you’ll have ongoing access to all the course content, so you can return to it whenever you want to refresh or go deeper.