*Enrollment closes Friday, 24 July 2026

New Book: The Essential Translation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

JOIN THE JOURNEY!

Discover the True Foundation of Yoga

In this course, Yoga and Samkhya philosophy and psychology are organized according to connected subjects and frameworks. The Yoga Sutra is laid out in a logical flowchart, and each topic is explained clearly.

The deep wisdom of these ancient texts is made accessible in a structure that students can follow in modern times, without compromising the integrity of the teachings.

In this course you will:

  • Understand all the important presentations, practices, and frameworks of the Yoga Sutra and Samkhya.
  • Appreciate the relationships, purpose, and organization of the topics in these ancient systems clearly and concisely.
  • Be connected directly to the classical sources, so that you are completely confident in what you are learning. 
  • Explore alongside how these teachings are related to yoga therapy and wellbeing.


This course is also a part of the internationally accredited Svastha Yoga Therapy Program. Click here for details of the full program.

Why Study the Yoga Sutras?

Contrary to the modern image of yoga as postures and stretching, only 3 of 195 sutras address asana. The Yoga Sutras is principally:

  • A map of the mind as relevant today as 1,700 years ago.
  • Practical psychology for understanding and transforming mental patterns.
  • A path to freedom from suffering, anxiety, and restlessness.
  • A manual on meditation and the stages of deep absorption.
  • Philosophical foundation for understanding consciousness and liberation.

This Course Offers a Uniquely Effective Path

Flowchart-Based Reorganization of the Entire Yoga Path

The Yoga Sutras are traditionally studied in their original four-chapter sequence. This course takes a different approach, developed over years of teaching: reorganizing the sutras by topic to reveal how they interconnect across the entire text.

This method works because:

  • It starts where you actually begin (recognizing suffering and seeking freedom, sutras II.15-16) and ends with the final destination of liberation (kaivalya).
  • Related sutras from all four chapters are grouped by topic for integrated understanding.
  • The complete path is mapped visually through a comprehensive flowchart.
  • Each session builds progressively on the previous ones.


“If we want to understand what yoga is, there is no substitute for studying Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.”


Grounded in Traditional Commentaries

Every teaching follows the authoritative commentary of Vyasa (c. 500 CE) and classical sub-commentaries. This ensures authentic understanding passed down through centuries, not modern reinterpretations.

Lineage and Experience

Taught by Dr. Ganesh Mohan of Svastha Yoga, who brings:

  • Lifelong grounding in traditional yoga—his parents studied and taught under Sri Krishnamacharya before he was born.
  • Training as a medical doctor and yoga therapist.
  • Decades of teaching in holistic wellbeing.
  • Deep commitment to authentic, accessible presentation.


Practical Integration

The course balances:

  • Detailed explanations of sutras based on classical sources.
  • Psychological insights applicable to modern life.
  • Experiential practices (breath work, meditation, visualization).

Experience the Course Before You Enroll

Get free access to selected lessons

Experience the clarity, authenticity, and depth of the Mohans' teaching through five complimentary lessons. Explore the unique flowchart approach to Yoga Sutra, gain a sense of the teaching style, pace, and depth of exploration before joining the full course.
Access 5 Free Lessons (Free Registration Required)

Course Curriculum

    1. 0.1 Introduction and Companion Book

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. 02.Student Course Guide

    3. 0.3 Downloads

    4. 0.4 Live Q&A Sessions

    5. 0.5 Connect with Students - Participant Directory

    6. 0.6 Community Space

    1. Mohanji on the Relevance of the Yoga Sutras Today

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. (Practice) Centered awareness

    3. Outline of the program, Sutra format, Commentary of Vyasa, Philosophy & Psychology

    4. (Practice) Stable experience of calm and clarity

    5. Qualities of good study pathway

    6. Layers in understanding the Yoga Sutra

    7. Necessity for iteration

    8. Selecting sources for Yoga Sutra study

    9. Yoga & Samkhya as primary and complete systems

    1. Traditional salutation to Bhagavan Patanjali & Namaha mantra chanting

    2. Continuing from Session 1

    3. Relevance of traditional terms in the Yoga Sutra

    4. Understanding the Svastha flowchart map of the Yoga Sutra, Ordering of the sutras

    5. Sensing duhkha experientially

    6. Understanding "duhkha" and the importance of being a seeker of freedom from duhkha

    7. Introducing the Samkhya Karika

    8. Problem statement of duhkha from the Samkhya Karika, Seeing duhkha and being a seeker

    9. Three sources of duhkha

    10. Solution according to caruvaka darshana and going beyond it in Samkhya

    11. Absolute presentation of goals in ancient Indian darshana and its difference from Western psychology

    12. (Practice) May I have no suffering. I shall take steps to diminish duhkha in body, mind, and senses.

    13. Yoga Sutra II.15: Yogi with discernment sees seeds of suffering

    14. Sources of suffering and insight from the commentaries

    15. II.16: Goal of yoga is to be free of suffering in future

    1. (Practice) Steady breath and movement, calm mind

    2. Continuing from the previous session

    3. Transcending layers of self and pathway to freedom from duhkha from the ancient Upanishads

    4. Definition of yoga from Patanjali: understanding citta vrtti nirodha

    5. Understanding what it is not: What is nirodha and clearing possible confusions

    6. (Practice) Growing experience of quietness in body, breath, mind

    7. Peace is nirodha

    8. Nirodha and freedom from duhkha (the goal of yoga)

    9. The ultimate state as a result of nirodha - views of Yoga, Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta

    1. (Practice) Quietness with shanti mantra

    2. Summary of previous session

    3. Many maps of internalization

    4. Samkhya map - background and sources

    5. What is the Samkhya map for

    6. 5 bhutas, Jnana Indriyas, Karma Indriyas

    7. Introduction to Antahkarana

    8. 5 Tanmatras

    9. Antahkarana is combined - Manas, Ahankara, Buddhi

    10. Manas

    11. Ahankara

    12. Mahat/Buddhi

    13. Singularity of I experience and the evolutionary/neurobiological reasons behind that

    14. Mahat as the vast I and its constriction

    15. (Practice) Quietness in the body with shanti mantra

    16. The world and nature of reality in yoga, Changing oneself is very much possible

    17. Karma, Samskara, Idea of the cycle of rebirth

    18. What changes and what does not and distinguishing between them

    19. Clarification on Ahankara and Buddhi in particular

    1. (Practice) Calmness with inner focus on the breath

    2. Summary of previous sessions

    3. Abhyasa and vairagya as the top level categorization of yoga practices leading to nirodha (I.12)

    4. Definition of abhyasa (I.13)

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. Qualities of sound abhyasa (I.14)

    6. Vairagya - definition (I.15), Ramana Maharshi

    7. (Practice) Vairagya - letting go of distractions in senses, body, and mind

    8. Vairagya as being free of both desire and dislike, is not escapism or negativity

    9. Stages of vairagya from Vyasa

    10. Practical importance of vairagya

Discover the True Foundation of Yoga

  • 166 lessons

Begin your journey now

Whether you’re beginning your exploration of yoga philosophy or deepening decades of practice, this course offers an authentic, comprehensive guide to Patanjali’s timeless wisdom. Study it once to understand the complete framework. Return to it again and again as your practice deepens and new insights emerge.
Join for US$350

The Essential Translation of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras by Dr. Ganesh Mohan

  • The book presents all 195 sutras in original sequence with word-by-word translation and detailed explanations
  • The course reorganizes the content through the topic-based flowchart approach for integrated learning
  • Together they offer complementary paths through the text, deepening understanding through iteration


The book’s four guiding principles apply equally to this course:

  • Authentic: Based solely on traditional commentaries
  • Clear: Decisive, unambiguous explanations
  • Consistent: Internally and externally coherent
  • Focused: No digressions from the core teachings.


The Essential Translation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras by Dr. Ganesh Mohan is the recommended companion book. Available separately at svastha.net/books/yoga-sutras/

Format: On-Demand + Interactive Q&A Sessions

  • On-Demand

    Full explanations in recordings, so you can go through the base materials first.

  • Interactive Q&A

    Followed by live sessions to deepen your understanding, clarify your doubts.

  • 1- Year Access

    Full access to all materials for one year from your enrollment date.

  • Study Pods

    Connect with fellow students to find a study partner or form a study pod via our opt-in participant directory.

  • Pacing Guide

    10-week guide is included to help you move through the videos, flowchart map, and companion book together. ~3–4 hours commitment per week.

Interactive Session Schedule

All the video sessions are uploaded. You can see the ~30 hours of content right away to browse and dive into at your own convenience.

There will be Live Q&A sessions with Dr. Ganesh Mohan where questions can be answered and knowledge and practice explored further. All sessions are on Sundays. Two sessions are offered on each date — please choose the time that suits your time zone.

Session dates (All sessions are held on Sundays at 12:00 PM and 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time):

  • August 16 
  • September 6
  • September 27
  • October 4

Who This Course Is For

  • Yoga practitioners seeking authentic understanding of yoga’s foundation.
  • Teachers wanting traditional knowledge to share with students.
  • Meditators exploring the psychology and stages of practice.
  • Anyone interested in freedom from suffering and mental stillness.
  • Students of Indian philosophy.
  • Seekers ready for serious, transformative study.

Teachers

Dr. Ganesh Mohan learned yoga from childhood in the tradition of Sri Krishnamacharya through his parents, A. G. Mohan and Indra Mohan. He trained in ancient studies including Sanskrit, Vedic chanting, and Ayurveda and then went on to become a modern medical doctor. He integrates a full spectrum of holistic well-being methods in his work: movement, breathing, meditation and mindfulness, lifestyle, diet, relationships, life guidance and more. He has had extensive experience with thousands of students and patients across the world. He also directs the Svastha Yoga & Ayurveda trainings, including the Svastha Yoga Therapy Program across the globe. He is the co-author of numerous books published internationally, such as Yoga Therapy, Krishnamacharya, Yoga Reminder and Krishnamacharya In His Own Words. With his father, he is the translator of the important Sanskrit yoga texts, Yoga Yajnavalkya and Hatha Yoga Pradipika.


A. G. Mohan is one of the foremost yoga masters in this era. He began his yoga journey in 1971, spending nearly two decades as a personal student of the legendary yogi Sri Krishnamacharya. Then he immersed himself in further wide-ranging studies of ayurveda, samkhya, tantra, ancient India dramatics, jyotisha, and more over decades. He is the author of several books on yoga, including Yoga for Body, Breath, and Mind, Yoga Therapy, Krishnamacharya: His Life and Teachings and Krishnamacharya In His Own Words.


Indra Mohan  began her yoga studies along with her husband, A.G. Mohan, in 1971. She is one of few people to receive a post-graduate diploma in yoga from Sri Krishnamacharya. She is appreciated by students not only for her extensive knowledge and clear teachings, but also for her wisdom and calm presence. She has guided many thousands of students over five decades to increase their wellbeing, manage their health problems, and find personal and spiritual transformation.


Nitya Mohan, daughter of A. G. Mohan and Indra Mohan, was trained in yoga from a young age. She also holds a degree in music and is an exponent of Vedic chanting, having conducted numerous seminars and given concerts internationally. A skilled and experienced teacher, she has been running the Svastha training programs in Singapore for two decades.


Certificate

The last lesson of the course includes assessment through a multiple choice quiz. Once you complete the assessment, you will receive your certificate of completion for the course.

Enroll in the Complete Course

Study the Yoga Sutras and Samkhya as an integrated system through 30+ hours of guided teaching, structured curriculum, downloadable resources, with unlimited access for one year from date of enrollment.

Join for US$350

Course FAQ's

  • Can I access the materials in the course immediately on signing up?

    Yes! This course contains approximately 30+ hours of video content. You can view these materials immediately and continue to access them for the duration of your enrollment.

  • How long can I access the course?

    You have access to the course for one year from the date of your enrollment.

  • Is the course lecture or practice?

    The course contains both. It has in-depth lectures offering knowledge and insight. It also contains practices with mantra, bhava, and examples of using them in asana.

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What our members are saying

Working towards inner peace!

Getting insights from long term teachers and practitioners as the Mohan family is invaluable. There is a lot of clarity and simplicity in the explanations of how our mind works and the role of desire. I loved all the practices they taught in this course to move towards inner peace, soooo useful! I really appreciate all the teachings received.

JULIA  M

Beyond Desire 

Very fulfilling in content and structure of knowledge provided as well as the deep experiences made accessible in the practice parts. Thank you so much!!!

MELANIE T

Very indepth

Deepening your knowledge with the Mohans gives you a clear and profound insight of what yoga is about. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

NANDA  VAN P

Embodiment, ancient and modern approaches

HEIKE M

Very eye-opening on patterns you thought is clear anyway

Loved the practices together with the sources in the texts, very Spot on. Very clear and simple!  Thank you 

MIRA R

Well presented

It was very well explained. Excellent.. great charts to make it more easy to retain the concepts.

HARSHA G

Excellent!

I am very grateful for the online courses; this is a great opportunity! The course was excellent, as it balanced between theory and practice.

ANNA K

Thank you so much

I learned so much out of this course, thanks to you!

TRUSS K

Perfect pace, perfect presentation

Can not be better. Learned a lot even though I already knew the basics: the Imbalance of one person is his own balance, we should not focused only on production of Agni but balance it! Immediately understood why my practice of Pranayama was not fully effective, and when I added to to it Sitali paranayama, I started to feel better. Now I will look also at the diet.

DILLARO S

A generous and very informative course

Thank you for a very rich course. I want to highlight in particular the precisions and nuances introduced by Dr. Ganesh Mohan, as well as the deep of knowledge shared by AG Mohan. It seems to me much more than a 5.5 hours program... much to reflect on :)

NICO F

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