106: Overview of Yoga History

In this course, we will discuss some of the fundamental teaching concepts and principles that provide the invisible backbone for yoga teaching. By exploring these terms, we will be able to develop a common language for the most important ideas in yoga teaching, and create a pathway for developing your skills as a teacher.


Note for CE Credits: If you are a current teacher taking this course for Yoga Alliance CE credits, you may submit for 4 hours of Yoga Humanities credit via the Yoga Alliance website.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Estimate the age of the yoga tradition list and describe the defining characteristics of the seven eras of yoga history.

  • Define “veda,” “upanishad,” “dharma,” “guna,” “sutra," “hatha”, as well as describe the difference between a dual and non-dual philosophy.

  • Describe the significance of the Bhagavad Gita, tantra, and your role in the Krishnamacharya lineage.

Course Curriculum

106: Overview of Yoga History

  • 1
    WELCOME AND COURSE ORIENTATION
    • START HERE
    • HOW TO TAKE THIS COURSE
    • ABOUT THIS COURSE
    • ABOUT YOUR FACULTY
    • COURSE MATERIALS
    • Q&A
  • 2
    LESSON ONE: OVERVIEW AND THE VEDIC AGE
    • JOURNAL REFLECTION #1
    • INTRODUCTION TO LESSON ONE
    • OVERVIEW OF THE AGES
    • THE VEDIC AGE: THE BEGINNING
    • JOURNAL REFLECTION #2
    • THE VEDAS
    • THE CASTE SYSTEM
    • THE END OF THE VEDAS
    • IN OTHER NEWS
    • QUIZ
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 3
    LESSON TWO: THE UPANISHADS
    • INTRODUCTION TO LESSON TWO
    • THE RISE OF ASCETICISM
    • JOURNAL REFLECTION #3
    • THE UPANISHADS
    • KEY IDEAS OF THE UPANISHADS
    • KEY IDEA: DUALISM AND NON-DUALISM
    • OTHER RENUNCIANT TRADITIONS
    • IN OTHER NEWS
    • QUIZ
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 4
    LESSON THREE: THE EPIC STORIES
    • INTRODUCTION TO LESSON THREE
    • OVERVIEW OF THE EPIC STORIES
    • THE BHAGAVAD GITA AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #4
    • KRISHNA'S TEACHINGS: THE THREE PATHS
    • PATH #1: JNANA YOGA AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #5
    • PATH #2: KARMA YOGA AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #6
    • KEY IDEA: DHARMA AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #7
    • PATH #3: BHAKTI YOGA AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #8
    • IN OTHER NEWS
    • QUIZ
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 5
    LESSON FOUR: THE CLASSICAL AGE
    • INTRODUCTION
    • OVERVIEW OF THE CLASSICAL AGE
    • KEY IDEAS: DUALISM AND THE GUNAS
    • THE YOGA SUTRA OF PATANJALI
    • ACTIVITY AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #9: MEDITATION
    • IN OTHER NEWS
    • QUIZ
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 6
    LESSON FIVE: THE TANTRIK AGE
    • INTRODUCTION
    • JOURNAL REFLECTION #10
    • OVERVIEW OF TANTRA
    • TANTRA: KEY IDEAS
    • JOURNAL REFLECTION #11
    • IN OTHER NEWS
    • QUIZ
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 7
    LESSON SIX: THE HATHA AGE
    • HATHA YOGA
    • OVERVIEW OF HATHA YOGA
    • HATHA YOGA: KEY IDEAS AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #12
    • IN OTHER NEWS
    • QUIZ
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 8
    LESSON SEVEN: THE MODERN AGE
    • INTRODUCTION
    • YOGA EXPANDS GLOBALLY
    • KRISHNAMACHARYA AND HIS STUDENTS
    • JOURNAL REFLECTION #13
    • QUIZ
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 9
    CONCLUSION
    • FINAL ASSESSMENT
    • ACADEMIC HONOR
    • CONCLUSION & OUTSIDE PRACTICE

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Meet Your Instructor

  • Rachel Scott

    Senior Instructor

    Rachel Scott

    Rachel is a teacher trainer, mentor, and author based in Colorado. Practical and funny, she has a keen knack for breaking down complex topics into actionable skills. She loves inspiring her students to discover their voice and realize their passion and potential as yoga teachers. The Program Director for the YTT, she has also written five yoga books and shares her resources freely on you YouTube channel. Find out more at www.rachelyoga.com.