Study Sanskrit, the Language of Yoga, with Claudette...
Every sound in this language produces a powerful vibration which, when combined with other sounds to produce specific words and phrases, bestows nourishment to the one who chants, as well as to the listener. Sanskrit's unique power and beauty reflect the great importance that sound had to the ancient sages.
Originally an oral language, Sanskrit was used to preserve ritual, poetry, literature, and song. The chanting of Sanskrit mantras emerged from the oldest known teachings in Sanskrit, the Vedas. Through its hymns, the Vedas expressed the philosophical questions and concerns of the day. Before writing was developed, ancient texts were carefully preserved through the recitation, repetition, and refinement of chanting. The aural and oral traditions are still the way Sanskrit is taught in the ASI method, and it’s the approach I use to convey the teachings to my students. I look forward to chanting and studying with you.
3-Day Devanāgarī Bootcamp
In the west, we speak of a person who is well-read. In Sanskrit, the word, bāhuśrūtyam, suggests that a great learner is a well-heard person. Sanskrit is a language of sound and vibration, and the sound holds more importance than literal meanings because the phonemes hold within them the elemental qualities of the objects they describe.
Knowledge of Sanskrit makes it possible to grasp the wisdom of the Veda, whose body of teachings were composed in Vedic Sanskrit. This Sanskrit course will teach you how to approach the language of the Veda as a practice that is both enjoyable and inspiring. The first step in learning Sanskrit is to develop an intimacy with its sounds; become familiar with the exact locations the sounds are produced in the body, feeling their force and power, and the unique way they vibrate the palate and engage the breath. Above all, exploring and enjoying sound is at the heart of this program.
Anyone can resonate with Sanskrit's timeless sounds, and connect to words and ideas that are incredibly beautiful and profound. Rewards are many for those who take the time to see, hear and feel the power and elegance of Sanskrit. Those interested in yoga philosophy particularly benefit from this study.
The Devanāgarī Bootcamp provides participants with an opportunity to explore the Sanskrit language using a yogic model outlined by Patañjali in the Yoga Sūtra-s. In this course, students will learn the Sanskrit alphabet and feel the resonance of the beautiful sounds of the language in their own palate, explore vocabulary relevant to chanting mantra, and develop greater fluency and confidence using the language in their chanting practice and beyond.
During this 3-Day Immersion, participants learn how to read and write in Devanāgarī (the script used for Sanskrit) in a systematic and friendly way, and we’ll chant, and read, and deepen our knowledge, taking our practice to the next level. This training will give participants a permanent connection to the beauty and energy of Sanskrit as well as a dynamic learning model rooted in the principles of yoga to support cultivating greater focus and deepening attention.
This course will allow us to experience the practice of recitation as adhyāyanam, a practice to bring us closer to ourselves, and one another. Chanting and reciting as a community can inspire compassion and a strong sense of unity. Our class will be experiential, and you can expect to explore the potent effect of learning simple Sanskrit sounds and mantra from the Veda that we will share together as a group.
The learning model and design of this program is rooted in the traditions of the American Sanskrit Institute and depends on a unified, collective group experience. This course will be delivered online, and participants should be comfortable with this approach. Though recordings will be made available, students are strongly encouraged to be present for each of the live sessions. It also means being able to focus on the lesson with little interruption, and speak and chant aloud with the group.
Learning Objectives:
Read, Pronounce and Write the entire Sanskrit alphabet in Devanāgarī
Understand how the Sanskrit phonemes are linked to form words
Gain the confidence needed to recite mantras from the Devanāgarī script and read simple Sanskrit words with ease
Develop authentic insight into why Sanskrit is called the language of vibration and why that’s important
Elements of the Course:
Learn the five mouth positions for recitation of Sanskrit phonemes
Practice reading the Sanskrit syllabary in Devanāgarī
Read and write vocabulary from sūtra, mantra, and śloka
Practice chanting short mantra
Individual practice and small group exercises
Dates: June 22-23 and June 30, 2024
Times: Sat, 12:30 - 6:30 pm & Sun (both), 9:30 am - 3:30 pm PDT
Tuition: $375 US, Enroll by June 8 for $299 (use code: DBJ24 at checkout)
Sanskrit: Using Sacred Sound to Add
Richness and Dimension to Your Teaching
This training module is designed for yoga teachers, recent YTT graduates and serious students who want to develop confidence in Sanskrit reading and chanting. We’ll focus on four specific areas of interest to yoga teachers: Sanskrit basics, including learning to recognize Sanskrit Devanāgarī, as well as transliterated text; the aphorisms of the Yoga Sutras; the verses of the Bhagavad Gita; and the devotional mantras of the Upanishads. The weekend will consist primarily of call-and-response chanting in order to develop a feel for the rhythms and cadences of Sanskrit chanting. Our work together will also include:
A review of the basics of Sanskrit pronunciation and rhythmic meters
Explanations of the structure of Sanskrit composition
Explorations of different translations and interpretations of yoga wisdom texts
Techniques to help and encourage students to chant in your classes.
Participants will come away from this workshop with enhanced proficiency and poise in Sanskrit chanting. You will also gain valuable insights into how Sanskrit presents the teachings of yoga and how you can reference Sanskrit directly as a means to illuminate the teachings of yoga for your students. If you want to make Sanskrit chanting a regular feature of your classes and workshops, as well as a regular part of your own spiritual practice, this workshop is for you.
Sanskrit in Seattle
Classes will meet weekly in Seattle, Tacoma, and/or online for study, exploration and play in the world of sound and vibration. We'll develop fluency in Devanāgari script; learn the rules of sandhi (sound blending); and enjoy a gentle introduction to basic Sanskrit grammar.
Sanskrit Calligraphy & Sound Workshop
Through intimate instruction, students are guided through Sanskrit writing, reading, and pronunciation with patience and attention to precision in small group classes.
Chanting of the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali, 6-wk Series
Join Claudette as she takes you through the first and second padas or chapters, and learn to chant the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali. This series is offered as an opportunity for anyone interested in learning to chant the sūtras.
Chanting the Bhagavad Gītā & Sacred Texts, Workshop or Series
In these sessions we will chant the basic sounds of Sanskrit using the bīja mantras (seed sounds). We will explore the meaning of each text and chant selected verses and other traditional prayers, adding on more ślokas or verses to develop flow and rhythm.