Shanti Yoga Center for Harmony
THE SHANTI MARGA PROGRAM
Shanti Marga means the Path to Peace. The Shanti Marga course is designed for those interested in learning and practicing yoga as a “way of life.” It will show how to develop our potential for attaining a state of inner peace that brings about the joy of living.
Peace exists deep within us, deep in the core of our being. To experience peace, we need to cross through peaks and valleys of the internal road. In the same way that we use a map or directions to reach a destination, the methods and techniques of yoga are used as guides on the path of self-discovery. To walk this road to the end for attainment of a permanent state of inner peace requires bold determination, courage, will power, humility, patience, and forbearance to overcome our fear and ignorance of our spiritual nature. The Shanti Marga course offers the gentle but firm preparation required for this deep personal work.
The Shanti Marga course is valuable for those interested in personal development. The process involved provides an opportunity to develop—not through the intellect but through experience—helping to attain fearlessness via self-knowledge and self-discipline and to discover inner strength and the core of our being—who we really are.
Shanti Kshatriya: This program is available for those who want to continue on this path after completing Shanti Marga. A Shanti Kshatriya, meaning “warrior of peace,” describes a person who has attained a commitment to pursue the path of spiritual development as the most important endeavor of his life. All other circumstances of life are accommodated around this commitment. As the word warrior implies, one must be armed with weapons of the soul, above all with total surrender to God’s will. These are necessary to overcome our lower nature and to adequately prepare for reclaiming our Divine nature. (Enrollment in this program may be discussed with the instructor.)
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM
The complete Shanti Marga course includes nine segments. The various segments will be offered regularly so that students may practice at their own pace. This course may be pursued with or without previous experience in yoga; the only prerequisite is our six hour Foundation of Yoga course covering the basic concepts of Yoga and Hatha Yoga postures. The curriculum develops over the nine segments so that students, even a neophyte, may develop a yoga practice and a thorough understanding of yoga as a way of life.
The format is suitable for residents of the area who work or study full-time with a commitment of a minimum of one 1½ hour evening class per week plus additional time for homework and attendance in at least one Hatha Yoga class per week based on the indications given for each level. The yoga class is optional if the student can report a regular personal practice.
An important component of the course, homework includes reading, research, and written reports along with the regular practice. In between segments there will be mandatory and optional books to be read. Attendance to 80% of the classes is required. The remaining 20% can be made up during the course on other days.
The curriculum is currently undergoing some revision, however, the outline below gives an overview of the program Shanti Marga offers.
BEGINNERS I
12 weeks 1 class/week 1.5 - 2.5 hour class
In this course, students will become more proficient in the basic Yoga routine, as taught in the Foundation of Yoga course, which will be practiced throughout the twelve weeks. Students will be encouraged to participate in another class each week and to practice at home.
During the 12 weeks, discussions will be held on the five principles of Yoga and how to implement them in daily life. The practice of the five principles: proper breathing, diet, exercise, relaxation, and positive thinking/meditation will be encouraged. Articles about the principles (included in the handbook provided) along with additional reading assignments should be read in their entirety. White clothes, to be used only for Yoga practice in class and at home, will be required.
Information on succeeding levels will be given to students enrolled in the course.