Beginning in October, Tula will offer a monthly study circle for students, teachers, and curious practitioners who want to explore yoga beyond the physical practice.
Svādhyāya means self-study. In this year-long circle, we will study selected teachings from Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras through short readings, guided reflection, meditation, embodied inquiry, and group conversation.
This is not a lecture series and not a traditional book club. It is a space to study, reflect, practice, and ask meaningful questions together. Each month will focus on a small group of sutras and a specific theme, allowing us to explore how these teachings relate to modern life, daily practice, relationships, stress, attention, suffering, and the deeper aims of yoga.
We will be working primarily from The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali by Edwin Bryant. Participants are asked to obtain a copy of this translation before the first gathering. You are welcome to bring additional translations if you already have them, but Edwin Bryant’s text will be our shared foundation for study.
No prior philosophy study is required. You are welcome whether you have read the Yoga Sūtras before, are brand new to the text, or are simply curious about yoga as a path of awareness and self-understanding.
We will gather monthly on Thursday evenings from 6:30–8:00 PM. Tea and light snacks will be offered.
Pricing
You may join the study circle in the way that works best for you:
Drop-in: $25 per gathering
Tula Members: $20 per gathering
Seasonal Pass: $75 for a 4-month segment
Full Year Registration: $200 for all 12 gatherings
Full-year and seasonal registration are encouraged for those who want to move through the teachings in a consistent way, but drop-ins are welcome as space allows. Each gathering will be designed to stand on its own, so you can still participate even if you miss a month.
Monthly Themes
October: What is Svādhyāya? Why Study the Yoga Sūtras?
We begin with the meaning of self-study, what a sutra is, and how we might approach yoga philosophy as living practice rather than abstract theory.
November: What Is Yoga?
We explore Yoga Sūtra 1.2, yogaḥ citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ, and consider yoga as a practice of awareness, attention, and working with the movements of the mind.
December: The Witness and the Mind
We look at the relationship between awareness and thought, and how practice helps us create space between who we are and the patterns we often identify with.
January: Practice and Non-Attachment
We explore abhyāsa and vairāgya: steady practice and the art of releasing our grip on outcomes, perfection, and performance.
February: Obstacles on the Path
We study the very human obstacles that arise in practice, including doubt, fatigue, distraction, restlessness, and inconsistency.
March: The Heart Practices
We explore friendliness, compassion, joy, and equanimity as practices for relationship, community, and inner steadiness.
April: Kriyā Yoga
We study tapas, svādhyāya, and īśvara praṇidhāna as practical ways to bring yoga into daily life through commitment, self-reflection, and surrender.
May: The Roots of Suffering
We explore the kleśas, or patterns that contribute to suffering, including misperception, ego-identification, craving, aversion, and fear.
June: The Eight Limbs, Part One
We begin the eight-limbed path with the yamas and niyamas, looking at yoga as an ethical and relational practice.
July: Āsana and Prāṇāyāma
We explore what the Yoga Sūtras actually say about posture and breath, including steadiness, ease, effort, and the role of breath in preparing the mind.
August: Turning Inward
We study pratyāhāra, dhāraṇā, and dhyāna: turning inward, gathering attention, and cultivating meditation.
September: Integration
We close the year by reflecting on what has shifted in our understanding of yoga, practice, self-study, and how we want to carry these teachings forward.
Each gathering will include a short teaching, discussion, meditation or embodied reflection, and a simple prompt to carry into the month ahead.