What is Sanskrit? Why is it considered the language of the gods (devavāṇī)? And the language of yoga? This first module will provide a brief history of this ancient “perfected” (saṃskṛta) language—from the Vedic period to contemporary India. We will then begin learning to pronounce the sounds of the Sanskrit alphabet, arranged in accordance with the human vocal apparatus. We will be using the familiar Roman “script”, learning the common rules of Sanskrit transliteration and diacritic marks.

After a review of the Sanskrit alphabet and pronunciation guide, the second module will provide a simplified introduction into the complex architecture of classical Sanskrit grammar (vyākaraṇa). We will look at the nature and construction of Sanskrit verbs and nouns, gender, number, and case, compounds, the rules of sound conjunction (sandhi), and sentence syntax. We’ll take a look at examples from Sanskrit texts and common mantras to get a tangible sense of how this all plays out.

The third module will focus on the name and meaning of many of the common yogic postures (āsana). We’ll give attention to the particular ways in which so many of the postures are named after animals, renowned yogis and sages, or bodily parts. We will unpack these fun Sanskrit compounds, break down their etymology, and shine new light on the meaning of well-known postural formations like “Warrior Pose”, “Extended Side Angle” and “Shoulder Stand.” As usual, there will be a strong focus on pronunciation here, especially aimed at yoga teachers and practitioners who are incorporating many of these āsanas in their practice.

In the final module we will review what has come before, building towards our “peak” Sanskrit practice: the recitation and breakdown of select sūtras and ślokas. We will closely examine selections from Patañjali’s Yogasūtra and verses from a range of Sanskrit yoga treatises including the Bhagavadgītā and Haṭhapradīpikā. We will also give some attention here to Sanskrit meter, syntax, and recitation traditions.