Course Description
Looking to deepen your study of yoga philosophy? Would you like to read and study the Bhagavad Gītā in a formal way, together with a group of yogis from around the world? Join Dr. Seth Powell for this exciting opportunity to dive deep into the timeless wisdom and teachings of the Bhagavad Gītā. This online course will provide you with an in-depth immersion into the history, philosophy, and theology of the Gītā. Through recorded video lectures, Q&A sessions, readings, and quizzes, together we will immerse into a close and thorough study of one of yoga’s most ancient, important, and mis-understood scriptures!
The Bhagavad Gītā, the "Song of the Lord"—or simply the Gītā, as it is affectionately known—is one of India's and yoga's most beloved scriptures. Through this timeless dialogue between Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa—warrior and charioteer, student and teacher, devotee and God—we are invited into a rich study and reflection on the meaning of life, one’s social and moral duty (dharma), ethical action (karma), devotion (bhakti), as well as the theory and disciplines of yoga.
Seeking to read the Gītā in its historical and philosophical context, this course will give special attention to the various teachings on yoga in the Gītā, including three of the earliest definitions of yoga in a Sanskrit text! We will explore the well-known (but often misunderstood) models of Karmayoga (“the yoga of action”), Jñānayoga (“the yoga of knowledge”), and Bhaktiyoga (“the yoga of devotion”)—as well as lesser-known forms such as Buddhiyoga (“the yoga of discernment) and Dhyānayoga (“the yoga of meditation”).
As we will see, unlike more ascetic models of classical Yoga which suggest that the yogi must retreat from the world, the Gītā’s universal message promotes a social ethic of engaging in the world through disciplined yogic practice, by turning all of one’s activities into humble yogic service and devotion. Throughout this course, we will reflect on the ethical and philosophical challenges the Gītā puts forth, contemplating their relation to our own modern lives and yoga practice.
Course Modules
Module 1 — An Introduction to the Gītā: The Song Within the Epic (Ch. 1)
Module 2 — The Nature of the Self, Sāṅkhya, and Yoga (Chs. 2-3)
Module 3 — The Way of Knowledge, Renunciation, and Meditation (Chs. 4-6)
Module 4 — Divine Knowledge, Brahman, & the Theology of Kṛṣṇa (Chs. 7-9)
Module 5 — Kṛṣṇa’s Universal Form & The Yoga of Devotion (Chs. 10-12)
BONUS Module — Vedānta and the BhG Commentarial Tradition
Module 6 — Primordial Nature & the Eternal Person, Prakṛti & Puruṣa (Chs. 13-15)
Module 7 — Concluding the Gītā: The Supreme Secret of Yoga (Chs. 16-18)
Topics covered in this course include:
- The "epic" context: The Gītā within the Mahābhārata
- The doctrines of Karma + Saṃsāra
- The meaning of Dharma
- The relations between asceticism, ritual, and worldly life
- The complexities of caste and class
- Understanding the concepts of Ātman and Brahman
- Early definitions of the term "Yoga"
- Karmayoga, the "Yoga of Action"
- Jñānayoga, the "Yoga of Knowledge"
- Bhaktiyoga, the "Yoga of Devotion"
- The relationship between Sāṅkhya, Yoga, and Vedānta
- The influence of Buddhism and Jainism
- The Gītā's relationship to the Vedas and Upaniṣads
- Parallels between the Gītā and the Yogasūtra
- The Gītā's inclusive theology and the nature of God
- Understanding the various Sanskrit commentaries
- The ethics of the Gītā: Hiṃsā or Ahiṃsā?
- And much more!
Students Will Receive:
- 7 Pre-recorded Video + Audio lectures (90 min)
- 7 Pre-recorded Q&A sessions (90 min)
- 5 ACP Credits
- 26 Hours of CE credit with YA
- Course Syllabus (PDF)
- Weekly Readings (PDF)
- Yogic Studies Certificate (PDF)
- Access to the private Community Forum
- BONUS resources to aid your continued study of the Gītā!
Dr. Seth Powell
Founder and Director, Yogic Studies
Seth Powell is a scholar of Indian religions, Sanskrit, and yoga traditions, who earned his PhD in South Asian Religions at Harvard University. His dissertation comprised a critical edition, translation, and detailed study of a 15th-century Sanskrit yoga text from south India known as the Śivayogapradīpikā—which uniquely combines yoga, ritual, and devotion. He also works extensively on the visual and material culture of yoga in premodern India, uncovering yoga's past through temple sculptures.
As an educator, Seth is passionate about sharing the latest academic research on yoga's vast history and philosophies and is gifted in his ability to present the ancient teachings of yoga clearly in an accessible, light-hearted, and inspiring manner—while maintaining a rigor and sensitivity to traditional Indian knowledge systems.
Seth founded Yogic Studies in 2018 and serves as the Director and Head Faculty. He is also the host of The Yogic Studies Podcast.
This course is eligible for 18 hours of Continued Education (CE) credits with Yoga Alliance
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