This year I am proud to present a series of inspiring & in-depth lectures with some of Mysore’s greatest scholars, open to the public. Join us in person at Chitravana resorts, or online from anywhere in the world. Recordings of all talks will be provided for participants.
Join us in person or online for this incredible series of talks with some of Mysore’s brightest scholars!
This lecture series is being held in conjunction with the Traditional Yoga YTT with Guruji BNS Iyengar and Srishubha being conducted at Chitravana Resorts throughout the month of March.
In terms of yogic philosophy, the brilliance of Mysore’s scholars is unparalleled in the world. I am very grateful to be able to share this wellspring of knowledge with you all!
LECTURE SCHEDULE:
Guruji BNS Iyengar lectures will take place from
10am-12pm India time Monday - Saturday From March 1-15th.
The guest lecture schedule is as follows:
Thursday, March 5 - The Legacy of Sri Krishnamacharya with T.R.S. Sharma
Friday, March 6 - Ashtavakra Gita with Sri M.A. Alwar
Sunday, March 8 - Purnamadah Mantra Chanting & Explanations with Dr. M.A. Jayashree
Tuesday, March 10 - Vayu Shudhi with Asanas & Pranayama with Yamini Muthanna (Please note different
timing- this class will take place 8-10am India time on March 10)
Tuesday, March 10 - The 10 Yamas and 10 Niyamas of Hatha Yoga Pradipika with Dr. Nagaraj Rao
Thursday, March 12 - Yoga & Human Emotions, pt. 1 with T.R.S. Sharma
Tuesday, March 17 - Yoga Yajñavalkya with Sri M.A. Alwar
Wednesday, March 18 - Ayurveda 101: Making Dosas at Home with Sahana Murthy
Thursday, March 19 - Yoga & Human Emotions, pt. 2: The Vagus Nerve with T.R.S. Sharma
Sunday, March 22 - Aditya Hrdayam with Dr. M.A. Jayashree
Monday, March 23 - Yoga & Human Emotions, pt. 3 (Dostoevsky and the Gita) with T.R.S. Sharma
Tuesday, March 24 - The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita with Dr. Nagaraj Rao
All lectures will take place 4am USA Pacific time / 12pm Western Europe / 4:30 India time and run approximately 90 minutes, with time for Q&A at the end.
(*Except Yamini Muthanna’s class on March 10, which will take place 8am-10am India time)
LECTURER BIOS:
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Dr. M. A. Alwar is a distinguished scholar in Sanskrit language and literature, systems of Indian philosophy and the Indian Knowledge systems. He holds the position of Professor of ‘Navya Nyaya’ in the Maharaja Sanskrit College, Mysore and also serves as the Honorary Director of the center for traditional knowledge of the Trans-Disciplinary University, Bangalore. Dr. Alwar’s scholarly activities extend beyond his professional responsibilities.
He has authored many books, monographs and articles and also presented papers in many international and national seminars and conferences on Indian philosophy, Sanskit literature and other trans-disciplinary topics.
His areas of expertise are Navya-Nyaya (Neo-traditional School of Indian Logic), Prachina-Nyaya (Ancient School of Indian Logic), and Comparative studies of traditional theories with modern scientific theories. He is also an expert manuscriptologist having contributed a lot to the cataloguing, preservation, and conservation of ancient palm-leaf and hand-made paper manuscripts.
Dr. Alwar’s contributions have earned him wide recognition and respect. Ramanjaneya Veda Pathshala, a renowned institution dedicated to Vedic studies has conferred on him the prestigious Shastra Ratnakara Award. He was also recently conferred the ‘Bannanje Govindacharya Award’ instituted by the ‘Bannanje Prathisthana’ in recognition of his scholarship and contribution to the dissemination of the Sanskrit language and literature. In addition, he is an active member of several professional and academic organizations, reflecting his engagement and commitment to scholarly work.
Dr. M. A. Alwar’s contributions in many fields as a scholar, researcher and teacher have had a profound impact on academic research groups and traditional Vidvat Sabhas (assemblies of learned scholars). He serves as the Managing trustee of Samskriti Foundation, also demonstrating his dedication expressed to preserving and promoting Indian culture and knowledge.
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Dr. T. R. S. Sharma hails from the heart of the Mysore Yoga Tradition. In fact, he was the boy upon whom Sri Krishnamacharya was standing in the famous picture of a yoga demonstration in the 1930s. At 98 years old, Dr. Sharma is among the few living individuals who can speak firsthand about studying asanas with Sri Krishnamacharya during his tenure at the Maharaja's Sanskrit College in Mysore.
Dr. Sharma was born in the ancient, holy village of Melkote, located about an hour away from Mysore. Melkote serves as a spiritual epicenter for Mysore. Dr. Sharma pursued education in America on a Fulbright scholarship, focusing on etymology and literature. With extensive study in both Western and Indian philosophy, he taught Shakespeare for 40 years and authored over a dozen books spanning various subjects, including Indian philosophy.
We have had the privilege of hosting Dr. Sharma for lectures at our programs multiple times. His profound understanding and original ideas are remarkable. With a deep appreciation for both Eastern and Western cultures, he bridges these worlds eloquently. His articulate discourse on human emotions directly addresses a topic widely debated in yoga communities worldwide.
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Jayashree is one of Mysore’s most well-known and beloved teachers. For many years she has offered her expertise for the greater peace of mind and happiness of all. Her wonderful teachings represent a unique opportunity for all yoga students (and teachers of yoga) to gain deeper insights into the wisdom and teachings of yoga.
Professor of Sanskrit and beloved chanting teacher in Mysore, Dr. M.A. Jayashree has been teaching all aspects of Sanskrit for the last 30 years. She holds a doctorate in Sanskrit from Bangalore University on the topic, "Concept of Mind in Indian Philosophy." She teaches using the traditional call-and-response style of ‘Sruti Parampara’, which dates back to Vedic times as the most direct and effective means of preserving and transferring the knowledge acquired by sages and scholars.
She has authored many books in the fields of Sanskrit, Ancient Sciences, Indian history, Indian culture and music. As a proponent of the 'Srutiparampara', method of teaching she has produced many audio recordings in the field of Sanskrit learning along with the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali and Bhagavad Gita. Her material is designed as teaching aids to help people learn the chanting and memorization of the important Sanskrit texts of ancient Indian culture.
She has a large following of overseas students engaged in studies of ancient lore of India mainly Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Bhagavad Gita and the Sanskrit language.
She has presented a paper on a music topic at the 13th World Sanskrit Conference held at Edinburgh. She has been awarded as a ‘South East Asian scholar’ of merit by the American Academy of Religions, and to participate and present a paper in their Annual Meet Nov. 2008 in Chicago.
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Yamini is a Bharatnatyam dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Her dance sadhana is blessed by Revered Guru Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy and her Yoga Sadhana is blessed by Yoga Visharadh Sri. BNS Iyengar. Yamini’s individual approach to technique and creativity are characterised by a distinctive flow of body movements, which comes from the rigorous and disciplined practice of Bharatnatyam and Ashtanga Yoga. As a choreographer, Yamini’s presentations are traditional and secular. Her strength in Choreography relies on her ability to stay
within the rubric of Bharatnatyam and use other forms of art like Yoga and
Kalaripayatu for her narrative. She puts in a lot of research and time for her work and has so far produced some unique themes inspired by the shastras of Yoga Sutra, Branches of Upanishad and the Bhagwat Gita. Her choreography on the Nine Planets from the Sloka composition of Sri Adi Shankaracharya have won the
appreciation of the audience and press as well.
Yamini has established her reputation for sincerity and expertise in all art forms she adopts into her dance presentations. She has performed in various venues in the USA, Malaysia, UK, Netherlands, and Fiji Islands. She has performed at many Cultural festivals and corporate events across the country. She recently traveled to Sweden to conduct Yoga and Indian Classical dance workshops. She was one of the paneled speakers
at the Mysore Yoga Conference.
Yamini is an impanelled artist with the ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations ) under the ” Established category “. She is, Graded A at Doordarshan, National Channel. She is also a well-known stage actress and uses her theatre skills for her dance, giving her presentation of the dignity of theatre as well as the grace of
dance. She has been conferred titles “Natya Kala Vipanchee” and “Sringaramani”. for her expertise in Bharatanatyam. She has also won the title “Sarthak Naari” for her contributions to books, dance, theatre, and Yoga, awarded by CNBC TV9.
Yamini resides in Bengaluru. She hails from the district of Kodagu and comes
from a distinctive culture which is a part of her personality as a dancer. She runs an established Bharatnatyam and Yoga Shaala (School of Learning Ancient Arts) called Kalasinchanam Yogastala Ancient Arts Trust (r). She conducts and organizes workshops and discussions in Ancient subjects like Sanskrit, Yoga Sutra classes,
Karnatic Music classes, to name a few.
She has directed 26 TV episodes on therapeutic Yoga, which is being aired on Doordarshan in various Indian languages. She has also scripted and conducted Yoga programs on the popular TV networks of Tatasky and Disney Hotstar. She has authored a book on Yoga, “The Power of Yoga,” which is now an international bestseller and has been translated into various foreign languages.
Yamini is a dedicated Achaarya. She pursues her art with passionate precision and devotion that defines her approach toward perfection. Yamini regularly publishes articles in popular magazines and is invited as a guest speaker in various organizations to speak on Yoga. She has students from all over the world studying dance and yoga at her exclusive studio in Bangalore. -
Dr. H. V. Nagaraj Rao, is no ordinary Sanskrit scholar. He is a shining star from Mysore, a man with a lifetime of knowledge and experience to share, and we consider it a great honor to share his knowledge with the world. With his razor-sharp wit and lighthearted humor, he is one of our favorite teachers. We have full confidence that this lecture series will be a profound experience for everyone who attends.
Vidwan H.V. Nagaraja Rao is a great scholar of Sanskrit grammar who has been trained in both traditional and modern methods of education. His specialty is Sanskrit grammar and poetics. In his early years, he was a researcher at the Oriental Research Institute in Mysore and has published many original Sanskrit works with English and Kannada translations. Dr. Rao has also lectured in many countries around the world, including Thailand, Hong Kong, the United States, Israel, and England. He has taught Sanskrit at the University of Chicago as a visiting professor and was invited as a fellow to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Dr. Rao guided the World Sanskrit Conference in Edinburgh, England, in 2006, where he delivered a speech in chaste Sanskrit. Dr. Rao was awarded honors for his translations by the Sahitya Academy, the highest literary body in India, in 2006. Recently, he was chosen for honor by the President of India as a noted Sanskrit scholar. He is the honorary editor of Sudharma, the only Sanskrit daily newspaper in the world. With his razor-sharp wit, at the age of 84, Dr. Rao continues his lifelong passion for teaching and sharing ancient Indian knowledge systems with people from around the world.
Professor Rao has an uncanny ability to shed new light on texts such as the Gita and the Upanishads with his infectious passion and his ability to communicate in English, which is rare among Sanskrit scholars of his stature. Students leave his presentations with a feeling of liberation from the mundane and inspiration to strive for higher goals in life.
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Rasayana Mysore Kitchen is the brainchild of Sahana Murthy. When asked about the meaning behind this interesting name, she says it is a Sanskrit word which literally means path of essence. It is a broad spectrum science of lengthening the life span and covers many meanings. Here, we are talking about the Aahara Rasa which is the essence of nutrition. At Rasayana Mysore Kitchen, we constantly thrive to connect to the age-old wisdom of Ayurveda whilst constantly adapting this knowledge to the ever changing times. Eating right helps in balance, harmony, nourishment, good health and vitality. Cooking based on Ayurvedic principles not only nourishes the body but also nourishes the state of mind and consciousness. Cooking is a Culinary Science where various food combinations and precise cooking methods are put in use which encompasses it into a holistic way of living.
Sahana learnt most of her culinary skills from her mother and these are traditional recipes which is passed on from many generations. She conducts cooking classes at her hometown in Mysore, India which is dubbed as the Yoga Capital of the World. People from all over the world come to this little magical city to deepen their Yoga practice. Being a Yoga practitioner herself, she understands the value of wholesome food and how it enhances practice and keeps one healthy. Sahana also teaches cooking lessons online reaching out to a wider segment of people and help them with their needs.
Registration fees:
$108 / regular rate
$78 citizens of India / scholarship rate
I have a limited number of financial hardship scholarships available. Please contact Joey on WhatsApp at +1 4058239919 for more details. I believe that cost should never be a barrier to anyone who sincerely wants to learn.
