Yoga Philosophy & Psychology Course

 YOGA PSYCHOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY COURSE

IN ASSOCIATION WITH YOGA VIDYA GURUKUL

FEBRUARY 15 - APRIL 27, 2025

$350

Deepen your knowledge of the profound ancient wisdom found in classical philosophical teachings which are perfectly adapted for today’s world. Learn tools you can use for tranquility and how to bring this wisdom into your daily life to help you and those around you live happier, healthier and more balanced lives.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

10 week immersive program

Required section - approximately 5 to 6 hours per week which includes:

• Lectures - Approximately 3-4 hours per week. 

• Weekly discussion and Q & A session. This includes discussing the forthcoming weekly assignment. Approximately 1 hour per week.

• Assignments, self-reflection and self-development practices. Approximately 1 hour per week.

Optional section - but highly recommended - up to 8 hours a week:

• Extra reading and practices, including your Yoga classes, nature walks, meditation, Omkar chanting, Yoga Nidra and other practices which will be explained during the course..

COURSE CONTENT

This 100-150 hour Yoga Philosophy and Psychology Course is specifically designed to deepen your yoga practice. It allows you to delve into lesser-known aspects of Yoga and to help you follow a more yogic lifestyle in your everyday life. 

The science of Yoga is fundamentally positive psychology. The problems of human life occur because of the way that the mind is conditioned to think. Yoga results in transforming negative thinking and behavior patterns into positive ones which bring about a peaceful and content state of mind. This course includes the theory and the actual practices for achieving this.

This course primarily examines the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Ashtanga Yoga) and Bhagavad Gita. Both texts focus on the goal of human life which is to achieve and to experience a positive, balanced, content and peaceful state of mind which is not dependent on external events, objects or people. Other relevant texts will also be discussed.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali were compiled by the great sage Patanjali 2500 years ago. Patanjali's sutras are in essence, Yoga Psychology, as the focus is on evolving the mind from a negative state to a permanent blissful state of "Samadhi “or "Sat Chit Ananda".

Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between Lord Krishna who symbolises supreme consciousness and Prince Arjuna who represents human consciousness. Arjuna is in a state of depression, and despondency and asks Lord Krishna to help him with his problems. Lord Krishna in turn inspires Prince Arjuna to live his life with equanimity or acceptance, and helps him to realize and fulfil his purpose in life. 

Some of the topics covered during the course include –

• Yama and Niyama and how to implement them in daily life

• How to incorporate Yoga into everyday life

• Bhagavad Gita in daily life

• Yoga sutras for everyday life

• The mind from a Yogic Perspective

• Yogic philosophy and yoga psychology for stress, anger, depression, fear, desire, relationships, bad habits, etc.

• Physiology of stress, anxiety, anger & depression

• Meaning and purpose of life

• Finding balance in life

• Stress management

• Various practices for reflection and analysis of life and it’s challenges

• Obstacles to the goal of Yoga

• Concept of happiness

• Concept of pain and suffering

• Mantras - positive sound vibrations

• Nervous and endocrine system - optional

• Yoga for psychological problems

• Bhakti and optimism

• Meditation

• Various self-evaluation tools

• Yoga Lifestyle - During the course you will be encouraged and guided to follow a lifestyle in line with all Yogic principles - not only from a moral, ethical and relational point of view, but also practically, making you aware of your daily choices and habits: such as eating, sleeping and physical activity routines, consumption of stimulants, addictions, nature connection and the associated effects on your body and mind.

HOW THE COURSE WILL BE CONDUCTED

Most lectures will be taught in real-time and you are requested to be present in person. If you are unable to attend in person, a zoom connection will be available. If for some reason you are not able to attend a session either in person or on-line, the lesson will be recorded by prior request.

• Some lectures may be on YouTube to watch on your own time.

• Course material will be available on Google Drive.

• A WhatsApp group will be created (with use kept to a minimum).

• Resources - Videos, Audios, PowerPoint presentations, documents, live lectures and recorded lectures, books.

• Continuous support through the duration of the program via email, video chat, group discussions, personal feedback.

• Syllabus and checklists which outline weekly lectures and assignments.

• You will be integrating into your daily life what you are learning in the course.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Yoga teachers interested in revisiting some of the concepts learned but not implemented as well as to learn and integrate new topics.

Yoga practitioners who would like to learn more about the fundamentals not taught in most Yoga classes.

Anyone with a keen interest in learning positive psychology through the teachings and wisdom of Yoga.

FEES AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FEES

Course fees - $200 Including course material

Registration fees - $150 (due at time of registration). Registration fee is non-refundable unless course is cancelled by facilitators.

Total Fees - $350 (due by January 31, 2025)

Payment plans available. Please contact Elizabeth to discuss.

PAYMENT METHODS

Venmo - @Elizabeth-Henrichsen-1; Personal check payable to Radiant Yoga & Wellness; Cash

HOW TO REGISTER

Register HERE or email Elizabeth at elizabeth@radiantyoga-wellness.com and pay the fees.

CERTIFICATE, RECOGNITION & ASSOCIATION

Upon successful completion of this course, which includes attendance of all classes and submission of all assignments, students will be awarded a certificate from Yoga Vidya Gurukul, India.

This program is recognized by the Indian Government (Government of Maharashtra), Government of India, Department of AYUSH (Under Yoga Department, Government of India), Kavi Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek, Nagpur (Government of Maharashtra University).

Yoga Vidya Gurukul is affiliated with YCMOU (a Government of India University) to run the Diploma courses in Yoga.

As part of the Yoga Gurukul family, you are welcome to the beautiful ashram in Nasik, India for more courses or experiencing the ashram lifestyle.

ABOUT YOGA VIDYA GURUKUL

Yoga Vidya Gurukul was founded in 1978 by Yogacharya Dr Vishwas Mandlik as a non-profit organization, following traditional Yoga which is the authentic form of Yoga focusing on lifestyle and based on Ashtanga Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga.

The prestigious Prime Ministers Yoga Award was given to Dr Mandlik for his great contribution to the field of Yoga in India and all over the world. He is the first recipient of this award in India.

Yoga Vidya Gurukul has been conducting Yoga teacher training programs since 1983, with more than 18000 Yoga teachers in India, 4500 Yoga teachers in foreign countries and more than 300,000 Yoga students all over the world.

Yoga education is a subject of research and require years of experience. Our organization successfully runs 3 Yoga & Naturopathy Therapy centers for over 28 years and successfully treated more than 25000 patients suffering from various diseases.

At Yoga Vidya Gurukul, we teach INDIAN TRADITIONAL YOGA. Our School is joined to the great tradition of Swami Satyananda Saraswati of Bihar School of Yoga. Paramhansa Swami Niranjananda Saraswati initiated Rishi Dharma Jyoti (Yogacharya Vishwas Mandlik) into Rishi Sannayasa and joined Yoga Vidya Dham on 7th March 2006 to the spiritual tradition of Sage Adi Shankaracharya, Swami Sivananda and Swami Satyananda.

ABOUT RADIANT YOGA & WELLNESS

Radiant Yoga & Wellness was founded in 2019 by Elizabeth Henrichsen with a holistic focus on Yoga and Ayurveda. Through an integrative approach, she seeks to link the ancient wisdoms of Yoga and Ayurveda to create and maintain balance in each individual. Radiant Yoga & Wellness is also Yogapoint USA.

ABOUT THE TEACHERS

With the help of our experienced and compassionate teachers, we are dedicated to sharing our knowledge of the traditional teachings of Yoga and Yoga Therapy. Other lecturers and doctors will be part of this course as well.

Elizabeth Henrichsen is the founder and owner of Radiant Yoga & Wellness and represents Yogapoint USA. She has been practicing Yoga since 2004. Her study, practice, life experience and Yoga masters have guided her toward teaching others. She honors her teachers and appreciates the teacher in every student. 

Elizabeth is an experienced Yoga Instructor, having received her RYT Advanced Yoga Teacher Certification 240 hours with Highest Distinction from Himalayan Yoga Academy, Rishikesh, India and was bestowed the title of Yoga Acharya at her RYT 300-hour Advanced Yoga Teachers’ Training Course in Hatha Yoga at Aarsha Yoga Vidya Peetham in Kerala, India. She has trained in Trauma Informed Yoga Teaching with Yoga4Change. She is a certified Professional Yoga Wellness Instructor, Level 2 and Level 3, Yoga Teacher and Evaluator, designated by the Yoga Certification Board, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.

From Yoga Vidya Gurukul in Nasik, India, Elizabeth received her Diploma in Yoga Therapy, Yoga Philosophy Psychology Certification, completed Yoga Nidra Teacher Training and is a Specialized Advanced Pranayama Teacher. 

Through conducting Yoga Training Courses in association with Yoga Vidya Gurukul, Elizabeth educates participants holistically in the teachings, practices and wisdom of Yoga. 

Elizabeth focuses on educating herself and others and currently teaches Yoga classes and leads workshops, teaches trauma informed Yoga to veterans, individuals dealing with substance abuse and to the community as a teacher with Yoga 4 Change. Elizabeth currently volunteers with the Yoga Vidya Gurukul and was a workshop presenter at the 2024 International Festival of Yoga at Yoga Vidya Gurukul in Nasik, India.

Elizabeth conducts private Yoga sessions, provides individual Yoga Therapy for management of common conditions and diseases, offers private Ayurvedic consultations and facilitates retreats in the USA and India. 

Elizabeth Is honored to facilitate traditional Yoga Training Courses with one of India’s leading Yoga institutions as Yogapoint USA.

Bronwyn White, Traditional Indian Yoga Teacher, Qualified in Yoga Vidya Gurukul, Nashik India (www.yogapoint.com).

Bronwyn has been teaching yoga in various regions in Italy, India and South Africa to individual clients with classes tailored to their specific conditions or needs, as well as group sittings ranging from lesson in back pain, pregnancy, beginners and intermediate. She teaches independently and also collaborates with various institutions and individuals to promote yoga. She is a co-collaborator in residential foundation courses, teaching to students whose aim is to become yoga teachers themselves, either for adults or for children.

All teachings are based on the traditional principals of hatha and Patanjali yoga. She also teaches meditation techniques and is herself a practitioner of vipassana meditation.

Facebook: Yoga with Bronwyn Group and Yoga with Bronwyn

- MAY ALL BEINGS BE TRULY HAPPY AND FREE FROM SUFFERING -

Yogacharya Vishwas Mandlik (Rishi Dharmajyoti) was born in 1944 in the holy city of Nasik, in 1967 he graduated from University of Pune as Bachelor in Electrical engineering. He started Yoga Vidya Gurukul in 1978 and adopted Yoga as his life mission. He is the director of Yoga Vidya Gurukul since 1978 and still inspires the activities of the institute. He has designed various Yoga programs such as Yoga for back ache, weight loss, diabetes, hypertension, prenatal Yoga, Yoga for elderly, Yoga for various professionals, Yoga philosophy and many more. He has treated more than 30000 patients using Yoga techniques and has contributed to lot of valuable research in Yoga. He has authored more than 18 books and over 50 audio cds, 2 software on Yoga Education, applications of Yoga, Yoga as a Therapy, Yoga for Kids, Women etc. He is the Editor of Yoga monthly called "Yoga Sugandha" for last 25 years.

On 6th March 2007, Paramhansa Niranjanananda Saraswati of Bihar Yoga, initiated him to Rishi Sannyasa (part of higher sannyasa / monk tradition) and gave new name "Rishi Dharma Jyoti". Now he lives a higher Yoga lifestyle and practices as per the guidance of his Guru. He is helping Yoga aspirants, people suffering from various problems and also underprivileged people in rural part of India surrounding Ashram in Trimbak, Nasik. 

Gandhar Mandlik (Rishi Dharmachandra) is the Director of International courses and of the Ashram. His parents have been teaching Yoga for last 40 years and has therefore been in the Yogic culture all his life. His education was in Electrical Engineering but Yoga came to the centre from the year 2000 when took initiation from his Guru Swami Niranjanananda and then he started the website Yogapoint.com. From then on his Yogic lifestyle was cemented and he was initiated into Rishi Sannyasa which is equivalent to Swami initiation in March 2006. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and has a great interest in the scientific aspects of Yoga, Yoga for psychological and mental health, mantras and Yoga philosophy, particularly Bhagavad Gita. 

Mrs Pournima Mandlik (Rishi Dharmasheela) is the wife of Guruji and has been involved with Yoga Vidya Dham since 1983. She was initiated into Rishi Sannyasa by Swami Niranjanananda in March 2006. She is the examination controller and certifier for all Marathi (local language) courses. Her interests are mantras, in particular om chanting as well as Indian culture. She likes to give lectures to those studying Yoga and the general public on these topics specifically. She has done a lot of study and written books on these subjects.

Kate Mandlik (Sannyasi Bhaktiratna) is the Course Coordinator for English Courses in the ashram. She is from Australia but been a permanent volunteer at the ashram since 2007. She started practicing Yoga in 1995 and more seriously from 1999 when she started her Naturopathic Studies. She is trained as a naturopath, massage therapist, nutritionist etc but Yoga became her priority fairly early on when she realized how wholistic the practice of Yoga could really be and how it could help to solve many of the problems we face in life. She was initiated into Karma Sannyasa from Swami Niranjanananda in 2009. Her interests are in finding a yogic balance in life, nature, health problems and philosophy. 

Dr Prafulla Dorle is a homoeopathic doctor, Yoga teacher and Yoga therapist from Yoga Vidya Gurukul, living in Nasik. He has a rich experience in Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga practices and has been lecturing on these topics as well as on diseases in the ashram for the last 7 years. He has conducted many workshops in Singapore and Thailand. He is Coordinator for public relations at Yoga Vidya Gurukul.