DC Yoga Podcast - Doug Keller Part 2

DC Yoga Podcast Episode 39b- "Spiritual growth is expansion of consciousness not a contraction out of fear." -Writing books about yoga - Recent research into history of yoga philosophy - Karma and reincarnation - Cross pollinatization of ideas between cultures of the Indian sub continent - Tracing the path and change of yoga as concentration and yoga as union - Hatha as a simplified democratized response to the Tantric tradition - Separating Hatha yoga from religious iconography - Religions laying claim to yoga - The Varna or Caste system in India - Brahmin in action during the day and Tantric in thought by night - The influence of Patanjali and the yoga sutras (The sage has not always been popular, especially in India) - Patanjali's resurgence the result of Krishnamacharya and his students, Pattabhi Jois and Iyengar - Vedanta's influence on the 19th century Transcendentalists and their influence on the Indian independence movement - The evolution of the concept of Dharma - Internal and external yoga- responsibility to ourselves and responsibility to our community - John Friend and Anusara - Developing "systems" of yoga - Teaching therapeutic yoga around the world - The Vagus nerve and the Central Nervous System Bio: Doug Keller’s background reflects a lifelong commitment to studying, imbibing and sharing the vast field of knowledge and practice known as yoga. After receiving honors and graduate degrees in philosophy from the top Jesuit universities in the United States, Georgetown and Fordham Universities, and teaching philosophy at a college level for several years, he then pursued his ‘post-graduate’ education in the practical experience of yoga at the Siddha Meditation Ashram, Gurudev Siddha Peeth in India, for seven years. He spent a total of 14 years doing service, practicing, training in and teaching yoga in Siddha Meditation Ashrams worldwide. He received intensive training in the Iyengar system in New York City, mainly with senior certified Iyengar teacher Kevin Gardiner. He also practiced Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in India, and became one of the first certified Anusara Yoga teachers, producing three highly respected books on asana, pranayama and yoga philosophy. His further expansion in learning is reflected in his latest and most in-depth work, ‘Yoga as Therapy,’ which is truly one of the most comprehensive, innovative and useful treatments of the structural aspect of yoga therapy available. And for three years he was a regular columnist for Yoga+ Magazine (formerly Yoga International, published by the Himalayan Institute), writing the ‘Asana Solutions’ column that addresses specific therapeutic problems. He is at the highest level of certification with Yoga Alliance, ERYT500, and a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. For more about Doug: http://www.doyoga.com/about-us.htm