Course review: The Yoga Sutras Through the Lens of Christ

Last spring, I had the opportunity to take the online course “The Yoga Sutras Through the Lens of Christ” offered by Kelly McLellan, founder of Getting Still and creator of Getting Still Studies. Getting Still offers a variety of courses in yoga philosophy for a Christian wishing to deepen their understanding of yoga. Kelly is a writer for the CPY blog, guest lecturer at our retreats, a volunteer teacher, and a friend.

Here’s the description of the course I took:

The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is often referred to as the "bible" of yoga because it was the first text to outline the practices and philosophies of classical yoga. In this course, we will dive into the Yoga Sutra, discern commonalities and differences with Biblical teachings, and explore how the wisdom found in this text can serve as a powerful tool for the follower of Christ.

I first encountered The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali 10 years ago as a part of my 200 hour Ashtanga Yoga (primary series) teacher training at Yoga on High in Columbus, Oh. We studied (briefly) the commentary by Gregor Maehle. In the Ashtanga tradition, students give thanks to Patanjali in the invocation, or opening chant. The chant is a reminder of the philosophy of yoga and call to humility, curiosity and gratitude, both on and off the mat. Philosophy is an important part of the practice for me. 

I can remember sitting on my mat during the philosophy unit when all of the sudden it occurred to me, for the first time ever, that it is possible to have a direct experience with the divine. I hadn’t realized how strongly I held a belief that a priest was a necessary intermediary between me and God; I was always looking to the church for the “right” rules and proper interpretation. I had come to view the institution as security and protection, but protection from what? What fear did I have of God? How was this keeping me from knowing him? The Sutra was both frightening and thrilling. In my 200 hour training, I was the only practicing Catholic. This was not a problem for any of us, but my fellow students couldn’t answer my questions or share my epiphanies. So, this past year, I was excited to revisit the Sutra with fellow Christians with similar questions, and study this challenging text with a friend.  

Course overview

Kelly’s course is a deep dive into the Sutra, more comprehensive than my first training. Kelly offers a video lesson (also available in audio-only format) for each concept along with printable diagrams and worksheets. There are four detailed units. Unit 1, Samadhi Pada, included over 4 hours of lecture. I decided that to get the most out of the course, I’d first read the Sutra and commentary in the unit (Kelly does not require a reading of the sutras or commentary on your own) and develop my own inquiry before diving into each lecture. This was time consuming, and I appreciated the opportunity to go at my own pace. 

Kelly begins by offering historical and philosophical context, explaining how yoga has been adopted and used by many religions – as a means of self-realization, or for theistic religions, God realization. This is key for Kelly: this understanding offers freedom. As long as she is “handling it with care,” she believes the study of yoga is a very valid study for Christians. “All these other faith traditions find something in it – so what might it hold for a follower of Christ?” The approach for the course is to take each sutra, one by one, and discern if this concept would be helpful to the Christian.

This discernment process includes:

1. Can we find this in the Bible?

2. Does it give glory to Jesus now and in the future?

3. Is it consistent with the nature of God as revealed in scripture?

4. Are other holy-spirit filled people having a confirming witness to this?

5. Are there confirmations and facts in history / verifiable evidence?

Approaching different worldviews with respect and curiosity is part of the Christian tradition. I learned that in Acts 17, Saint Paul models this in the streets of Athens, first observing and finding the good in the unfamiliar. If we’re observant, we will find a God revealing himself through many times and cultures. 

However, Kelly walks this line with caution. 

“As Christians we have to ask ourselves – what in this is true? There are some things in the Yoga Sutra I don’t find any space for when I read biblical scripture. Others, perhaps there is space for it and we just call it different things.” 

It might have been instructive for me as a student in the course if we had read through one single commentary together. Kelly researched and read many different commentaries and often referred to different ones throughout the course to explain the meaning behind a sutra. I appreciated her diligence here and understand the reasoning. However, the interpretations were so different, depending on which commentary she was referring to, that it was easy to get lost. I would have liked to refer to one text, and then perhaps make notes in the margins about other ways this may be interpreted. 

FOUR (OR MORE!) WORLDVIEWS

“Worldview matters,” Kelly reminds students throughout the course. The students in her course bridge a minimum of four worldviews - Patanjali and his original context, the commentary on the Sutra for whichever translation the student is working with, Kelly’s worldview as a Christian within the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and the student’s own worldview, which is assumed to also be Christian. Kelly acknowledges she is also a student, not an expert, working through the text alongside her students. 

While Kelly and I share a faith tradition we each call Christian, each of our traditions expresses the Christian faith differently; we can’t take anything for granted, which is actually pretty interesting.  By way of example, Kelly quotes the Judeo-Christian Bible to support her understanding. Catholics like me read the Bible (we do!), but don’t often quote it as standard practice. I had to write each verse down and look it up in order to learn effectively. It’s an important part of the course and Kelly’s discernment practice, but be prepared to spend time here if you are not familiar with your Bible. And while Kelly didn’t mention saints in Unit 3 (this is a section of the text that discusses some of the extra-sensory powers that might be by products of a practice) that unit had me shouting the names of saints at my computer. What Catholic catechism lacks in biblical training, they make up for in the lives of the saints.    Certainly not all these powers are something we’ve witnessed in the faith, but some I’ve come to believe are not mere metaphor. Kelly also spends time praying over each of us before the lessons. I LOVE this, because this is not my tradition, and hearing her express her sincere hope for each of us out loud is beautiful.

Unpacking the purpose and meaning of yoga, through the lens of Christianity

As a student of yoga, you likely know that much of yoga and therefore The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, is spent unpacking the meaning behind the first four sutras, the foundation of the entire text. The first four sutras as as follows (translations vary):

1.1 Now then the authoritative instruction in yoga.

1.2 Yoga is the suspension of the fluctuations of the mind

1.3 The the seer abides in his true nature

1.4 At other times it appears to take on the form of the modifications of the mind

- Ashtanga Yoga, Practice & Philosophy, Gregor Mahle

Kelly digs in here, asking students to examine their own worldview: How do we understand the mind? What is the true nature of man? What might this “thing” inside of us that’s unchanging be called? Who is God? What is God? Is there a God? What is this true nature we are trying to connect with? Kelly goes to great lengths to find words to explain difficult concepts and make them feel more familiar. She explains things many different ways in order for them to hit home.

Personal & Social Engagement throughout the Course

Each unit also included a 1 hour zoom call with Kelly and approximately 8 other students as well as an online  discussion group.  Her course also includes an invitation to a private Facebook “alumni” group called the Christian Yoga Shala. The Shala, or home, is  for any alumni of her courses. Kelly often posts live videos there.  

Throughout the course, Kelly poses interesting questions and inquiries and asks students to post answers in the Shala or save them for the zoom call. For example, when discussing the Kleshas (poisons or root causes of suffering), Kelly shares an example of suffering from her own life: her children growing up and leaving her home has caused her suffering. I appreciate that she is willing, even as a teacher, to be vulnerable here.  Then she asks students to take time for a similar self-inquiry. Then she poses this question: “What was true for you, then, that is still true for you today?” This is in pursuit of an understanding of our own true nature – and, in turn, the purpose of yogic inquiry. It's instructive. 

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

I learn a lot from Kelly. She is curious, intelligent and warm.  This was a long and challenging course for me, yet every time I approach the Yoga Sutras, I find something new. I wouldn’t trust someone to instruct me in yoga, whether in a Christian context or not, unless they’ve sincerely engaged with this foundational text, so for teachers, I believe the depth and commitment is appropriate. For practitioners, a shorter course (which I think Kelly is now offering) may be a good place to start.

To learn more about Getting Still and the courses offered, click here. Featured image by @aaronburden via Unsplash.