Introduction to Sanskrit

ABOUT

Introduction to Sanskrit with Eva Raal | Sat 13 April | 11 am - 2 pm | ZAR 290

Transform your practice as you begin to understand the beauty and meaning behind the original language of yoga!

Sanskrit was once the most influential literary language of India and, in fact, the entire yoga tradition has its roots in the texts of this ancient language.

Learning Sanskrit opens the door to more than 3500 years of intellectual history and allows us to connect more profoundly with the worldview and cultural context in which the teachings of yoga originated.

The study of Sanskrit is an essential part of every serious yoga student's educationbut many Westerners consider learning this ancient language quite a daunting and insurmountable task. If you'd like to gain confidence in your use of Sanskritor are simply curious about how your knowledge of this language can add new depth to your yoga practice, this workshop is for you.

The workshop includes:

- a brief overview of the history and origins of Sanskrit

- some insights into the value and relevance of learning Sanskrit for modern yoga practitioners

- a short discussion of the importance of avoiding the Sanskrit mispronunciations that are rampant in the West

- call and response exercises to familiarize you with the foundational sounds of the Sanskrit language and to refine your pronunciation of some of the most common Sanskrit terms and asana names

- tips for memorizing Sanskrit words and phrases

- a handout containing a pronunciation guide of the Sanskrit vowels and consonants, as well as a comprehensive list of asanas and other commonly used Sanskrit words for you to review and memorize at home.

The workshop is presented by Eva Raal (M.A.). Eva has an academic background in classical literature and she lectured Latin, Ancient Greek and Biblical Hebrew at the University of Stellenbosch for eight years. Her passion for ancient languages and her love for yoga have in recent years led her to the study of Sanskrit and she has been a guest teacher on this subject at several yoga teacher trainings. With this workshop, she hopes to take away any fear or resistance towards learning this surprisingly simple language and awaken a deeper appreciation and curiosity for the teachings of yoga beyond the physical activity.

For any questions regarding the workshop, you may contact Eva directly at [email protected].

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