The Yoga Path: Past, Present, Future – Second Sunday Seminar
The Yoga Path: Past, Present, Future
A Second Sunday Seminar, with Natasha Korshak and Mira Murphy
Sunday, July 11th from 2:00 to 3:45
$25 by July 1st and $30 thereafter
The watershed event of America’s fascination with Yoga is attributed to Swami Vivikananda of Kolkata, India. As one of many delegates at the first World’s Parliament of Religions in 1893, his charisma and universal spiritual vision compelled many influential Americans to see Vedanta, the continued teachings of the ancient Vedic scriptures, not just as a foreign religion but as a philosophy and spiritual practice for modern people.
In this talk we will look briefly at some of the continued history of Yoga in the USA from the early Indian teachers and Westerners who took the teachings to heart, to the modern use of yoga as a secular physical/mental fitness system, to the current questions of Yoga as a profession, as a world view, and as beacon for justice and peace.
Natasha and Mira will co-facilitate to create this overview. Natasha will focus on the early history and her journey as a professional yoga teacher. As the daughter of one of the matriarchs of modern Yoga, Mira will share stories of her mother’s life and legacy, as well as her own Yoga journey. We will also invite participants to consider their own journey in the context of Yoga- how it may fit into their personal process, and be relevant to present conflicts and potentials of our society and world.
The Second Sunday Seminar is a monthly gathering to explore diverse topics relating to spiritual perspective, path, and practice in an experiential and conversational format. It is part of our Contemplative Study Program which runs in 3 month modules. Our new module “Modern Spiritual Paths “ runs July through September. Please see contact us if you are interested in the July enrollment option.
Mira Murphy grew up in the yoga tradition and is named for the great Indian saint Mother Mira. Her initial study began at the feet of her own mother Rama Jyoti Vernon, and continued under the tutelage of Shraddha Sagar at Seven Center’s Yoga Arts where she studied, practiced, and worked for over 10 years – running their Ayurvedic kitchen and supporting their extensive training programs. She is a graduate of the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque and travels widely teaching, cooking, consulting, and dancing. She currently lives in New Mexico where she has been working with Wisdom of the Ancients to compile and publish Rama’s modern commentary on The Yoga Sutra’s of Patanjali and other legacy projects.
Natasha Korshak is a long-time teacher and trainer of yoga, meditation, mindfulness and MBSR, and has been working in the field of integrative health and wellness her entire professional career. She is a graduate of the Interfaith Theological Seminary and an ordained Interfaith Minister specializing in contemplative practice, grief processing, and spiritual direction. Her study and training of mind/body/spirit methods is extensive and she has learned from many of the pioneers in their discipline. As the founder and director of the Sol Center she is well regarded for her depth, warmth, authenticity, and the smile in her voice.
