Yoga Sutra Sangha – Mar 6, 2026
On March 6th, we will gather again for our second region-wide Yoga Sutra Sangha. In our first meeting, we discussed the history of the text along with the first 15 sutras in the first chapter. You may find an overview of the topics we discussed HERE. If you happened to miss the first or will miss any of the coming gatherings, please know that topics will be repeated throughout The Yoga Sutras and there will always be something to learn and gain from your participation. We had almost 50 people interested in joining, and all input is welcome from those new to the subject as well as from those well versed and studied.
Below you will find the information needed for the ZOOM meeting on MARCH 6, 4:30-6:00pm CST. SIGN UP HERE!
For the discussion on March 6 we are reading the first 15 sutras of the second chapter, II.1-15. The second chapter, Sadhana Pada, is the chapter known to be the more practical guide for studentship of the 8-limbs of yoga. Discussion will cover the topics of “The Yoga of Action” (Kriya Yoga), the obstacles we encounter in life and practice (Klesas), and “The Law of Cause and Effect” (Karma)
“We are like a man who has put his shirt on inside out and back to front. The only way he can rectify his error is to take it off, work out how it should be, and start again. Through yoga, we take off the shirt of our ignorance, study it, and put it back on correctly, as a shirt of knowledge” BKS Iyengar, pg 193 in Light on Life
Questions for Contemplation and Discussion
- Kriya Yoga, the yoga of action, contains three aspects of practice – discipline, self-study, and surrender to a higher power – to overcome life’s obstacles. Which of these do you find has a larger impact on your life/practice? Which is most challenging for you?
- There are 5 Klesas (life’s afflictions), all stemming from AVIDYA, which Rohit Mehta describes as “To regard the habitual nature as the original” in his translation, Yoga, the Art of Integration. What habits do you mistake as “original” to your nature? What elements of your life do you think of as permanent or impermanent?
- Ego (Asmita) can be experienced as feelings that establish your place in the world, that “make you who you are”. How does yoga practice reinforce or challenge your experiences of who you are?
- Attachment to pleasure (Raga) and life (Abhinivesa), and our hopeful avoidance of pain (Dvesa) all affect our experience of Truth or disturb the “stillness of our consciousness”. How does yoga practice help you identify these attachments? How do you face things within yoga that you would rather avoid?
- Caught up in the actions of life without reflection keeps us within the “wheel of karma”, the universal law of “cause and effect.” What does the idea of karma mean to you? How has the practice of yoga helped you reflect more deeply on the consequences of your actions?
This community offering is free to attend, but please donate to your regional association as you may see fit. IYAUM and IYAMW, along with the supporting studios of The Yoga Place (LaCrosse, WI) and Yoga Horizons (Chicago, IL), are happy to always provide resources and opportunities to support your learning and practice of Iyengar Yoga in the Midwest! See you there!
SAVE THE DATES – NEXT MEETINGS are APR 3, MAY 1, and JUNE 5. For any questions, please contact Jennie at jennie@yogalacrosse.com
