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

About this course

$45.00
69 lessons

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Student Reviews

Fascinating insight

Robert Poccia

I had studied a bit about yoga but never from this "age" or "phase" perspective. I find Rachel's explanations clear and fun to listen to.

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The best journey into Yoga History!

Alka Martine

I have completed 3 x 200 hour Yoga Teacher Trainings and not one of them explained the history of yoga in such detail and understanding way like this course!...

I have completed 3 x 200 hour Yoga Teacher Trainings and not one of them explained the history of yoga in such detail and understanding way like this course! It was mind-blowing. I absolutely loved learning about the history of Yoga and can not wait to share all that I have learned with my students. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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While short and sweet, such a thorough overview!

Kimberly OHalloran

I can appreciate how much work it must have been to put together such a great outlined summary of this vast history! I really enjoyed this. I am so inspired ...

I can appreciate how much work it must have been to put together such a great outlined summary of this vast history! I really enjoyed this. I am so inspired to learn more about the philosophical contributions these ages have provided to our modern practice. Also recently with ‘International Yoga Day’ just passing, I saw many Instagram posts about the colonization of yoga and understood only based on what people posted / wrote in captions or comments about this idea. I have a better grasp now after this ‘overview of yoga history’ of how important it is to educate ourselves continuously as teachers about this tradition and that we really need to work to represent it authentically and work towards not appropriating it out of ignorance. Thank you for this and thank you for offering this during the summer to us members! So grateful!

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Amazing history and presentation

Zrinka Gudelj

This course really puts yoga in perspective. Now I know how komplex and how long it took to have this practice today. Made me love yoga even more.

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Bringing yoga history to life!

Nadine Anderson

Loved Rachel's energy and down-to-earth explanations of the 7 eras. Intro videos for each section gave a clear link to the previous section. Great recap of a...

Loved Rachel's energy and down-to-earth explanations of the 7 eras. Intro videos for each section gave a clear link to the previous section. Great recap of all material in the final quiz.

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Deep, rich history is embedded in the practice of yoga

Abigail Watkins

Although I understood that yoga has a long history in India, this overview of yoga history revealed just how deep and rich that history is. When I think abo...

Although I understood that yoga has a long history in India, this overview of yoga history revealed just how deep and rich that history is. When I think about yoga now, I can see how this is embedded in the modern form we practice. Thank you for this important part of a holistic yoga teacher training!

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Amazing history and presentation

Zrinka Gudelj

This course really puts yoga in perspective. Now I know how komplex and how long it took to have this practice today. Made me love yoga even more.

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GREAT course!

Marie Lasnier

This is my 4th week into the program and I have absolutely LOVED learning more about the history of yoga. you will learn so many cool things that will really...

This is my 4th week into the program and I have absolutely LOVED learning more about the history of yoga. you will learn so many cool things that will really change your assumptions on yoga. A lot is being covered, but it is a great course and Rachel's positive energy and storytelling talent really made the learning process interesting and fun!

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Meet Your Instructor

E-RYT 500, LMT, MFA, MS Rachel Scott

Teacher trainer, author and ERYT 500 instructor, Rachel has spent thousands of hours leading YTTs, mentoring teachers and helping students uncover and express their voice, passion and potential by building the pragmatic skills that they need to share their own teaching voice with confidence.

To build this robust and transformational YTT, she combined her extensive academic training as an educator (M.Sci Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies, BA Columbia University, Phi Beta Kappa) with her cumulative experience as a trainer, teacher, and mentor.

An anatomy nerd, Rachel is also a licensed massage therapist and has spent hundreds of hours in the cadaver lab. Her books include, "Yoga for Mind, Body & Spirit," "Living Yoga," and "Head Over Heels: A Yogis' Guide to Dating." Connect with her on Instagram and YouTube @rachelscottyoga.