yogaNexus - Karl Erb » Upcoming Courses Jan-April 2012

Kirtan Saturday February 11, SF

Karl — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:25:14 +0000

Come together in song, kirtan, meditation and rest on Saturday February 11th, at Yoga Tree Hayes in San Francisco. Join Eleni Gekas, a surprise cellist and I for a musical, meditative, devotional evening with tidbits from the Narada Bhakti Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita to color our explorations into consciousness and being through song in community.

I have been working on new repertoire, and new verses for our favorites.

See the widget to the upper right on this page for audio of past kirtan –>

Yoga Tree Hayes, 8:15 pm
$8-15 donation for the space and musicians.
Hayes and Octavia
San Francisco
REGISTER NOW: Yoga Tree

The Bhagavad Gita, an introduction. Dec. 18 and Jan. 8

Karl — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:40:31 +0000

Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita:
A two part course
Sunday Dec 8th, Sunday January 8th
The Yoga Loft, San Francisco
Register Here
or call 415.626.5638

Why study the Bhagavad Gita?
We move through life with varying degrees of self-acceptance, happiness, sorrow and so on. In essence, discontent arises from finding our self, our current state, lacking or unacceptable in some way. The Bhagavad Gita (hereafter referred to as the Gita) addresses this question of how to find my self acceptable to myself, and provides a reasonable, rational solution for the root of all human sorrow and imbalance. The Gita addresses the truth of our essential nature, and practices for daily life to unlearn our erroneous conclusions about our nature.

As a student of yoga, the Gita must be studied to understand both the goal of yogic practices and the method of pursuing those practices. I recommend studying the Gita, learning a method of study, before pursuing study of the Yoga Sutras. As we study the Gita I will bring in relevant verses from the Sutras to show how key teachings are reinforced in various texts, and why knowing the teachings of the Gita is important before going into the Yoga Sutras. The Gita is both about what we seek and how to seek it, requiring cognitive, rational and deductive inquiry and self reflection, as well as daily tools for practice in both thought and behavior.

The Bhagavad Gita is one of several key source texts on yoga, See David Frawley’s article The Original Teachings of Yoga, for more context relative to the Yoga Sutras and other yogic texts. The Gita comes after the Upanisads and contains a distilling of essential teachings from the various Upanisads, thus studying the Gita is studying the topics of the Upanisads and certain sections of the Vedas.

The Gita gets to the heart of the human condition, exploring suffering, our wants, our needs, our moral codes and our drive for happiness, freedom and self-understanding; we will explore what each of these terms mean, and their sanskrit equivalents. Freedom, or moksha, in particular describes a breadth of concepts, freeing the human heart/mind from suffering, fear, isolation and so on. The Gita is an objective exploration of Creation and our place in it, how to move within its order, not constantly butting up against friction with life around us. The Gita is an understanding of that order, not a matter of belief, but a matter of understanding through inquiry.

The Bhagavad Gita is in essence about:
- Brahma Vidya: Knowledge of the nature of Wholeness, Beingness and my self, or Brahma vidya, knowledge of Brahman, Creator/Creation/myself
- Karma Yoga: Assimilating practices and attitudes to understand and internalize that knowledge, Brahma Vidya. These practices and attitudes are called karma yoga, actions and behaviors reinforcing understanding of the order of Nature, and the nature of Brahman. Karma yoga includes the practice of Bhakti, or devotion, as well as other key pillars of practice.

The Bhagavad Gita as a Practice
While a large part of study must be in discussion of the key concepts, another necessary step towards assimilation, towards moksha, is integration of the teachings through observance and refinement of one’s own thoughts and behaviors.

This course is not an academic study, nor a study of history, but an integrated practice in the lineage of the method used in traditional ashrams, in the lineage of Sankara’s missions.

While talking with a teacher and peers is essential for understanding and realization, that alone is not enough; tools for daily thoughts, actions, and behaviors are also essential. Hence taking on the study of the Gita is seen as taking on an exploration and commitment to practice, something relevant to my daily life.

In the upcoming two part course I am offering at the Yoga Loft in San Francisco on Sunday December 18th and Sunday January 8th, we will use Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s, of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, materials and methods of study. I have been studying with him since 1997, and have found him to be the most thorough, insightful and accessible teacher on yogic texts and the body of knowledge called Vedanta, or the gestalt of the Vedas, the key teachings and key texts.

In this course you will learn both key teachings and verses from the Gita as well as a method of study to serve you for years to come, including meditation practices. Each session will include a meditation, and you will be given audio to use in your own practice going forward. We will use two of Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s books, as well as a translation of the whole text of your choice.

Required Reading:
NOTE: We will have copies of the Yoga Loft on the first day if you are unable to order ahead of time
*Amazon.com may be out of stock
Order from Arsha Vidya Gurukulam:
Call: 570-992-2339 ext. 1567
Or, you can order online,
http://books.arshavidya.org/ : search for “Value of Values” and “Eight Significant Verses”

- The Value of Values, by Swami Dayananda Saraswati
Specifically about the 13th chapter of the Gita and why the values and behaviors are necessary for understanding. This book gives us tools for daily behavior, making study relevant to daily life.
** Please purchase ahead of time from Amazon.com or ArshaVidya.org Try to start reading before the Dec 18th session.

- Eight Significant Verses of the Bhagavad Gita, by Swami Dayananda Saraswati
Key verses and commentary on eight verses that embody the heart of the teachings.
** Please purchase ahead of time from ArshaVidya.org. Try to start reading before the Dec 18th session.

You can order online, or call: 570-992-2339 ext. 1567
http://books.arshavidya.org/

- A copy of the full text of the Bhagavad Gita of your choice.

Recommended Reading:
- The Teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, by Swami Dayananda Saraswati
available at Amazon.com or ArshaVidya.org
–> Buy Books HERE from Amazon.com
You can order online, or call: 570-992-2339 ext. 1567
http://books.arshavidya.org/

Healing & Rebuilding, round two

Karl — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 18:48:14 +0000

I am currently at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Pennsylvania, studying Vedanta, meditation, walking, rebuilding. I began study of Vedanta with Swami Dayananda Saraswati here in 1996, coming every year for over for over ten years, so it has had a big influence on me and the place is a familiar, comfortable refuge full of rich intense study. I am doing relatively well and the prognosis is good for survival. I am slowly getting stronger, though still often tired and weak. Life is rich and beautiful, and here for me to return to, though different in so many ways.

I return to SF on October 8th, and hope to resume teaching in mid October, early November. I will also do an evening of Meditation, Song, Discussion and Questions on ‘Yoga, Cancer, Healing & Community’ when I return to hear any questions about the experience and share what I can put in words about these recent months and what has surfaced. I have been deeply touched by the yoga community during this experience, and feel that as a community we all have an effect on each other, and we have a lot to learn from each other. Being here at the Gurukulam is revealing much perspective on the illness and healing process and life itself, and I look forward to discussing that with the network of students and teachers alike in SF. You can see video and hear audio of some of the teachers from the Gurukulam on the Arsha Vidya Satsang site. Truly one of the best sources and rich traditions of learning on Vedanta, the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and such. We have been studying the Narada Bhakti Sutras, on the nature of love, divine love and love of the divine, and the Brahadaranyaka Upanisad, the Jyotir Brahmana section, a beautiful passage on light as metaphor for Being and Consciousness, and the qualities of this divine light.

As you may know, the cancer came back in March 2011 and I had to go to Indianapolis for two rounds of hi-dose chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant. I was originally diagnosed in May 2010, and went through treatments in SF last year. Indiana is where the experts are for the bone marrow transplant treatment, so I went for two rounds, with 10 days in SF in between. It was a grueling process, taking this body to the edge of life, killing bone marrow and other vital systems. The treatments ended in June and rebuilding this time has been a slow, arduous challenging process. I cannot thank friends, family and community enough for helping in so many ways through this challenging time.

Karl’s Treatment Schedule, Benefit and Update

Karl — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 22:45:31 +0000

(updated 4/24,2011) Well the cancer came back and I was just in the hospital undergoing another round of treatments. I was in the hospital through Sunday 4/10; then home for two or three weeks, then I’m off to Indiana on May 1st for hi-dose chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant (my own stem cells they extract and put back in after the chemo kills off all my white blood cells). To ashes and back, like the Phoenix. I will be in Indiana for about six weeks and then will be home to recover.

To stay in touch
1. See link in upper right for “Email newsletter” to sign up for occasional updates, new blog articles, virtual courses, audio uploads and such.

2. For those of you who want to help or volunteer for care or errands or mundane things that I can’t handle, and visiting times to come chat or make music, you can join the LotsaHelpingHands community site I set up: https://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/627442/ I will post more details there so as not to clutter my email list with cancer details, the email list will be more on writings pertaining to yoga, though clearly there is an intersection of yoga and healing at this point, see my recent article on Tadasana.

3. “Like” my facebook page at facebook.com/yogaNexus, or use the widget in the column to the right.

I’m feeling good so far, the hard parts are yet to come. I will be taking about a six month break from teaching and my full time job that enables me to teach. The prognosis is good, high chance of a cure, and with all your love and support my spirits are high.

Community Circle and Benefit Kirtan
(4/24: See widget in the column to the right for audio from the Kirtan, it was wonderful)
Yoga Tree and students are organizing a benefit to help me cover expenses. I will be getting SDI, and some long term disability from my full time day job, and family is helping. Nonetheless rent, travel to Indiana, accommodations in Indiana as well as this upcoming medical expenses will be a lot. I am still paying off last year’s medical expenses, those that insurance didn’t cover. Also the supplementary care from a local doctor is not covered by insurance, so his treatments are out of pocket. So thanks Kyra Millich, Katchie Ananda, Audrey Mei, Pedro Franco and Tara and Time Dale and the staff at Yoga Tree for pulling together a benefit and fund-raising strategy.

Kirtan Saturday April 16th
With Katchie Ananda and Friends
(I hope to make it)
8pm Yoga Tree Castro

Pedro’s class before the kirtan will be also benefiting my expenses.
Feel free to call or visit.

Here’s a video Yoga Tree made last year right before I got sick, for our bios:

Much love, and much gratitude.
I feel fortunate and blessed.
Karl

The Return to Health, & podcast

Karl — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 23:48:14 +0000

October 12, 2010
My treatments ended in late August and i have been slowly regaining my strength. The prognosis is good, though I continue to monitor the situation, it looks like I am clear and we beat back the cancer. I will start teaching again Saturday October 23d, and the weekly class schedule is now posted on my site, see the top global navigation. I have grouped all articles in their categories under “Blog” now.

I have started going to yoga classes with Manouso Manos, and the practice has been mostly suspended inversions, deep traction and extension of spine and abdomen in supported backbends. Today I did standing poses with the rest of the class, last weekend I went for a long walk in the Marin Headlands in the hills, and did fine. I hope to make it to Ramanand’s classes soon, schedule permitting. It will take time for my respiratory and muscular health to return, but the hikes and classes seem to bode well.

There is so much that could be said about recent weeks and months, though mostly I am trying to focus on today and what comes next. It has been a joy to be in class and to see old familiar faces from so many walks and times. Frankly For some reason I felt a comfort in the surprise that in most respects my life is there waiting for me to return to it. This sense of returning is deep and visceral, as I have been in very much a place of awareness of all that I have thought I had lost: home, work, good health amidst the uncertainty of return to health. My life is here to return to, as I move from daily efforts to survive (as one doctor put it) to now working on my strength and health. I recently got a day job, sooner than I had hoped or intended, and have arranged to start most of my old classes back on Oct 23rd a the Yoga Loft and Yoga Tree. We are doing a Kirtan on Oct 17th at the Yoga Loft, and then one at Yoga Tree on November 7th. I look forward to singing with you.

I recently did an interview with Darren Main talking about the experience, Listen Now on Darren’s podcast

Look for monthly the Kirtan, the monthly 3 hour Extended Practice at the Yoga Loft, and Kirtan Nov 7 at the Yoga Tree, mark the dates.

Many thanks and love to all of you who showed support through this time, you have colored my world in a rich deep way.
See you soon,
Karl

Healing Schedule, plans for teaching again…

Karl — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:16:06 +0000

[updated July 9th, 2010] As many of you know, I was diagnosed with a curable cancer in mid May and am in chemotherapy treatments to heal. So through late July I will be focusing on healing. As of Friday July 9th I have one more round to do, and am now in the two week period in between treatments. The next round starts Monday 7/19 and then, if all is well, I am done by the 23rd of July. Then I am clear and will be building strength and then getting back into work and teaching.

Twenty days after the last round, I will still be affected by the treatments, and then my body will start to rebuild and be back to being generative, not losing blood cells and vitality through chemo anymore. I can do work in between chemo on the blog, planning workshops, retreats and teacher trainings, and some other wellness offerings and have sights on that time. I am planting seeds for retreats in the Spring, Teacher Trainings in Spring and Fall of 2011, and restarting public classes.

I don’t know how long that rebuilding will take, or where I will be, how I will make it work. So l am thinking I may not resume full time teaching until fall. I would like to teach a class or two before convalesce and rebuild after chemo. I may go to Swami Dayananda’s Ashram or some such place to recover, rebuild the body, study Vedanta and Sanskrit more deeply and practice. I am using this blog through book sales and such, planning other projects, and donations (see sidebar) to help raise funds for convalescing and medical expenses until I can earn again whether I stay here or go stay at a center.

The Blog and Forums
Until I teach I will be writing here on the blog, sharing from learnings, offering what I can without the class contact, maybe hosting some meetings or discussions. Do use the forums to dialog with me and with each other. I have gotten such a flood of emails with such amazing stories of yoga in your life, our classes, what each of you got from the teachings… really amazing. I thought in forums you could share some of that with each other.

I set up a special forums to discuss the book How Yoga Works, as it is a book that I find to be perhaps the single most valuable book I would recommend on Yoga. See blog entry on How Yoga Works for more about the book, to buy it and a link to the forum to hear about your favorite passages, quotes, how it touches you and such.

I am seeing the most glorious side of humanity in this process. The empathy, compassion and generosity has been astounding and reveals so much about human nature, our spiritual paths, the very behaviors and physiological responses that make us whole as I pull together Emerson, Jeremy Rifkin’s Empathetic Civilization and the Bhagavad Gita. Thanks for the most amazing lesson of my life. Gives me hope for the world.

So watch this site, when I start teaching the site will change to show schedule, workshops, Bhagavad Gita course registatration and teacher trainings all being planned now.

Much Love and thanks
Karl

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