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AGAMA

International School of Yoga and Eastern Philosophy

Agama offers a comprehensive path of spirituality, strongly rooted in the Tantric traditions of India and Tibet.

 

 

 

 

 

  
 

Yoga

Agama Yoga offers a comprehensive and structured curriculum, designed to help the aspirant learn and practice this ancient path. The Agama curriculum was designed by Swami Vivekananda Saraswati, who compiled the most powerful and useful techniques learned from decades of study, into a complete and structured course, currently consisting of over 50 progressive levels.

Knowing what we are doing and why, is integral to personal evolution through Yoga. Therefore all of our courses provide a lecture, literature and a practice component. Agama Yoga also emphasizes the use of the mind throughout all practices, as a result asanas (postures) are held for longer periods than is common in the West. This allows for the full potential of each asana to be experienced.

Agama Yoga is accessible for all body types and fitness levels, including those who have experienced several decades on this earth.

Agama Yoga is an International school, with branches in several countries around the world. We all teach a universal progressive curriculum, and therefore one can take classes in any branch, then easily transfer to any other, and continue on at their respective level.

Courses

~ Agama Vancouver will be offering the Level 1-A beginner classes in the summer of 2010 ~

*If you need a course level that is not listed here, please contact us, we will do our best to accommodate all aspirants*

  • Level 1 A - Beginner
    • Level 1 courses are designed to introduce the student to a wide range of topics and practices in Yoga. According to the Agama Yoga tradition, each class is composed of a theoretical segment (an informative lecture) and a practical segment; together creating a comprehensive and effective learning experience.
    • Each class is accompanied by a free, comprehensive set of printed materials that contain information about the techniques of the day and various other esoteric topics; at the end of the course, these form an inspiring and profound 150-page Yoga textbook.
    • The First Level Course is especially designed to accommodate newcomers. It runs in a cycle, so that you may begin and continue at any time.
    • The first level of the Agama curriculum is an excellent introduction to Hatha Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Laya Yoga, and Tantra Yoga. It also includes theory and practice on techniques from Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Nidra Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga, thus constituting a genuine example of "Integral Yoga" (as defined by Sri Aurobindo).
    • Information and explanatory lectures are given on a variety of related topics such as: diet in Yoga, healing through natural methods, purification and cleansing techniques, Ayurveda, yin/yang balancing, relaxation, physiology and psychology in Yoga, mastery and transmutation of the sexual energy, Eastern philosophy, mental concentration, the use of music in Yoga, and meditation, to name but a few.
    • While the First Level Course gives a deep understanding of Yoga, it is still only an appetizer to what Yoga actually is, and what it can do for you and the rest of the world. See the curriculum overview below for a full outline of our instructional phases, an explanation of the curriculum blocks of study, and details about the intermediate and advanced course teachings.
  • Level 1 B - Advanced beginner
    • The Level 1 B - Advenced beginner course is comparable to the second half of the First Level Intensive course offered in some Agama branches. The Level 1 course consists of approximately 145 hours of in class instruction (lectures and practice) which in some branches is taught in an intensive format over the course of one month. In Vancouver, we teach the identical material as is taught in the intensive courses, however we have spread it out over several months to accommodate those who live a 'Western' lifestyle. Therefore the Advanced Beginner course allows students who have either studied in other centres, or who have been studying with us in Vancouver, the opportunity to continue with their classes, while allowing us to continue to offer ongoing introductory level courses.
  • Level 4 / 5
    • The level 4/5 classes are directly comparable to the ‘fifth and sixths months’ of teachings received in other Agama branches. Students enrolled in level 6/7 are strongly encouraged to also enrol in the meditation course.
  • Level 6 / 7
    • The level 6/7 classes are directly comparable to the ‘sixth and seventh months’ of teachings received in other Agama branches. Students enrolled in level 6/7 are strongly encouraged to also enrol in the meditation course.
  • Advanced classes / practice
    • Advanced classes / practices are for students who have already completed at least the seventh level of Agama courses. Teachings will be given up to level 14, including all initiations. Students in this course are strongly encouraged to also enrol in the meditation course.

     

Agama Curriculum Overview

 

The Agama course curriculum is divided into four blocks of study, or programs.

The first 14-levels of the Agama Yoga program introduces the history and basics of Yoga in its many forms in a very inspiring and empowering way. It gives all the details for efficient practice of the techniques as well as complete theory. This portion of the prgram, if studies intensively, requires a minimum of two calendar years to complete. The topics for this block include:

  1. Full initiation in the techniques of Hatha Yoga (asanas, pranayama, mudras, etc.)
  2. The study of the yogic system of purification and healing (Shat Karma Kriya)
  3. Exploration of other traditional branches of Yoga, such as Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga
  4. The original use of mantra and yantra
  5. Transmutation and sublimation of the sexual energy, and the principles of erotic Tantra
  6. Nidra Yoga, conscious dreaming, and astral projection
  7. The colored subtle streams of energy and their applications, including the study and subtle perception of the aura
  8. The tantric system of meditation, and the first initiations in the Ten Great Cosmic Powers (Dasha Mahavidya). The Mahavidya Yoga continues through the first three programs.
  9. Practical study of the classical texts of Yoga (Yoga Sutra, Gheranda Samhita, Shiva Samhita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika) and Eastern philosophy.

The second phase is the Kundalini Yoga program, a 10 level period that focuses on the awakening of Kundalini Shakti. This part of the course, takes a minimum of two calendar years to complete. Topics include:

  1. In-depth practice of Kundalini Yoga (the arousing of Kundalini Shakti, advanced mudras, bandhas, and kriyas)
  2. Raja Yoga, mental concentration, paranormal powers in Yoga, the arousing and use of healing magnetism, hypnotism, self-suggestion, telepathy, psychic self-defense, and the subtle perception of previous lives
  3. Astrology in connection with Yoga
  4. Kaula Tantra techniques, and other tantric applications

The third program is the unique and powerful intensive 16+ month discipline (tapas). Students are given the opportunity to deeply explore and purify each of their seven chakra's; and further understand the chakra's levels of consciousness, both subtle and gross. It emphasizes practice and includes:

  1. In-depth study of the chakras, and their awakening mainly through Laya Yoga
  2. Intensive personal practice, initiations and coursework, with the guidance of a competant instructor.

The final program focuses on the highest Tantra Yoga techniques for reaching states of supramental consciousness and arousing the crown chakra (sahasrara). These teachings include:

  1. Kashmiri Shaivism (Trika) lineages of Pratyabhijna, Spanda, Krama and Kaula; methods for the revelation of the Supreme Self (Atman), and techniques for reaching supramental consciousness (samadhi)
  2. The nature of the five elements (tattvas) and Svara Yoga
  3. Initiation in techniques for contacting the various classes of angels and other subtle entities
  4. Initiation in the Tibetan techniques of Pho-va (transfer of consciousness), Kalachakra, and the Tibetan system of meditation

Many of these initiations have never before been given to Westerners, and therefore require special levels of commitment. This curriculum unfolds within a supportive relationship with teachers who teach from experience and, given dedicated practice, it guides serious students to supreme levels of spiritual evolution.