Yoga & Vegetarianism
(also known as The Diet of Enlightenment)

TBA

Course $200
Drop-in $30

In this eight-week course we will be exploring the yoga sutras of Patanjali with discussion on asana, the yamas and other aspects of yoga philosophy and how it relates to our food choices and attaining a state of liberation, peace & bliss through direct action.

Vegan snacks are provided at each meeting and you’re invited to bring a vegan dish to share.

Required Book: Yoga & Vegetarianism by Sharon Gannon
Recommended Books: The World Peace Diet by Will Tuttle PhD,
and any translation of the Yoga Sutras


The Diet of Enlightenment Course Outline

Week One:
Introduction/Asana, Our Connection to the Earth & All Beings
sthira-sukham asanam PYS II.46
The connection to the earth should be steady and joyful.

Week Two:
Ahimsa: Non-Harming
ahimsa pratisthayam tat sannidhau vaira tyagah PYS I1.35
When you stop harming others, others will cease to harm you.

Week Three:
Satya: Telling the Truth
Satya pratishthayam kriya phalashratyatvam PYS II.36
When one does not defile one’s speech with lies, the words one says are listened to and acted upon in a positive and immediate manner. The speaker will be able to say what he or she truly means. What one says comes true.

Week Four:
Asteya: Non-Stealing
Asteya pratishthayam sarva-ratnopasthanam PYS II.37
When one stops stealing from others, prosperity (material, mental and spiritual) appears.

Week Five:
Brahmacharya: Good Sex
Brahmacharya-pratishthayam virya-labhah PYS II.38
When one does not misuse sexual energy one obtains enduring vitality resulting in good health.

Week Six:
Aparigraha: Greedlessness
Aparigraha-sthairye janma-kathamta-sambodhah PYS II.39
When one becomes selfless and ceases to take more than one needs, one obtains
knowledge of why one is here.

Week Seven:
Yamas in Action, Living the life of a Jivanmukta
Maitri karuna mudito peksanam sukha duhka punya apunya visayanam bhavanatash chitta prasadanam PYS I.33
To preserve the innate serenity of the mind a yogi should be happy/friendly for those who are happy, compassionate for those who are unhappy, be delighted for those who are virtuous, and be indifferent toward the wicked.

Week Eight:
Spreading the Message & Being the Change
In this final class we will talk about ways we can encourage and share with others this message of peace and transformation in a variety of compassionate ways. We will discuss different vegan resources, such as books, videos and pamphlets as well as where to find good recipes and ways to transition to the vegan diet. This class will give you the tools to share with others what you have learned and will assist you in answering commonly asked questions regarding a vegan diet.