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World Religions: A Meeting of Ancient Pathways

A Meeting of Ancient Paths: The Intersection of Christianity, Yoga and Spiritual Disciplines provides a safe place for people of all backgrounds and religions to explore ancient practices. This course will address how various world views affect the practice and understanding of yoga and other spiritual disciplines.

Students will explore the evolution of yoga and yoga therapy techniques from various worldviews and religions, with a focus on Christianity and its diverse denominations. This course also introduces main ideas, beliefs, practices, and historical developments of eastern and western religions, philosophies, and various traditions in religions, including Hinduism, Jainism, various forms of Buddhism, Taoism, Japanese traditions, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and includes Atheism, non-theism, and Agnostic and New Age philosophies.

This course examines various lineages and styles of yoga from an Eastern and Western perspective, as well as numerous gurus, disciples, yogis, saints, Christ, and other key persons in the roots of yoga, world religions and spiritual disciplines.

This course explores the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali from the lens of Christ, as well as the 8 Limb path, St. Teresa of Avila’s 7 Mansions from The Interior Castle, and Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline, all to draw one closer to the heart of God, and Samadhi.

Examine religions of the world, spiritual disciplines, and comparative studies. This course is a prerequisite to YogaFaith Yoga Therapy Program, YF-YFP. Yoga Therapy students are enrolled, and space is limited. If you are a Yoga Therapy student, please contact [email protected] for a discounted price.

A standalone specialty certification {required for YF Yoga Therapy Program}.

50 hours of Continued Education Credits.

Taste and See

If you would like to journey through a portion of this training, please see the continued education and mini course: A Journey Towards Union is an exploration of the Christian text and journey of St. Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle and the non-biblical journey of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. You’ll see the fascinating parallels of her 7 mansions and his 8 limbs.

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A Meeting of Ancient Paths: The Intersection of Christianity, Yoga and Spiritual Disciplines provides a safe place for people of all backgrounds, religions, or those of no religion to explore ancient practices – how various world views affect the practice and understanding of yoga and other spiritual disciplines.

Students will explore the evolution of yoga and yoga therapy techniques from various worldviews and religions, with a focus on Christianity and its diverse denominations. This course also introduces main ideas, beliefs, practices, and historical developments of eastern and western religions, philosophies, and various traditions in religions, including Hinduism, Jainism, various forms of Buddhism, Taoism, Japanese traditions, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and includes Atheism, non-theism, and Agnostic and New Age philosophies.

This course examines various lineages and styles of yoga from an Eastern and Western perspective, as well as numerous gurus, disciples, yogis, saints, Christ, and other key persons in the roots of yoga, world religions and spiritual disciplines.

This course explores the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali from the lens of Christ, as well as the 8 Limb path, St. Teresa of Avila’s 7 Mansions from The Interior Castle, and Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline, all to draw one closer to the heart of God, and Samadhi.

Examine religions of the world, spiritual disciplines, and comparative studies. This course is a prerequisite to YogaFaith Yoga Therapy Program, YF-YFP. Yoga Therapy students are enrolled, and space is limited.

A standalone specialty certification {required for YF Yoga Therapy Program}. 50 hours of Continued Education Credits.

More Information

  • This course can be started at any time
  • It was created as a 6-month course
  • You may go at your own pace

Webinars

  • Nine (9) 90-minute webinars

Reading

  • Designed for 6 months
  • Go at your own pace (could complete sooner or later than 6 months)

  • World Religions, Yoga and Spiritual Disciplines Specialist Certification upon completion
  • Continued Education Credits: 50 hours (5.0 Continued Education Credits)

This course is a prerequisite for YF Yoga Therapy Program, YF-YTP, Foundations of Yoga, Yoga Therapy and YogaFaith

Students will:

  • Explore the evolution and controversy of Christian yoga
  • Explore the roots and evolution of yoga
  • Study evidence and archaeologist findings from various scholar’s points of view as to where yoga originated
  • Gain an understanding of the diverse views of the roots and history of yogic techniques
  • Learn a deeper sense of grace and understanding of cultural appropriation, derived from one’s core belief system, showing love and appreciation for all beliefs
  • Understand ancient and modern yoga
  • Learn the diverse views within Christian yoga
  • Understand worldviews and perspectives, and why they matter
  • Explore various spiritual guidelines from Patanjali, Jesus Christ, St. Teresa of Avila, and Richard Foster
  • Understand ‘devotion’ and discipline,’ Christian yoga, Bhakti and the yoga of T. Krishnamacharya
  • Learn how one can connect deeply to Christ through the practice of yoga
  • Understand the concept of creating sacred space for the Divine
  • Give a coherent answer when someone asks why you believe what you believe (1 Peter 3:15) and learn to think, talk, and act gracefully with other belief systems or lack thereof
  • Understand misappropriation, assimilation, and appreciation from multiple worldviews – stand in your truth (whatever that is).
  • Develop understanding, knowledge, and compassion for [all] others

  • Are some religions, traditions, or scriptures inclusive or exclusive?
  • With whom/where yoga originated? Does yoga stem from Africa, India, or Egypt?
  • With whom/where did Christian yoga originate?
  • How does my call to Christ relate to the practice of yogic techniques?
  • God and the redemption of all things.
  • Is Christian meditation the same as the meditation found in Vedic literature?
  • Am I worshiping a deity, god, or goddess by doing a certain posture?
  • Is yoga found in the Bible?
  • Do other religions use yoga techniques and if so, how?
  • Why do some cultures and religions ban the practices of yoga?
  • Which ancient scriptures came first?
  • How far is too far when studying contrasting rituals and traditions (1 Peter 1:13-14)?
  • How can I lovingly let others know that I am not misappropriating based on my belief system?
  • Is “Christian yoga” defined by a Christian who practices yoga? Or is it defined based on the practice of yoga being Christ-centered?

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Gary May
Gary MayR-YFT, PhD and YF Yoga Therapy Student
I enjoyed reading about all the saints, sages, and gurus. Endlessly interesting. I can’t imagine all the hours that went into compiling the Ancient Paths study.

Specialty Training Modules and Courses are a great way to obtain continuing education credits and to focus on a specific area of study. Joining a course is easy,  you will travel with others on the same journey in your private group designed for community.

All are welcome, no experience is required.