The Alchemical Transformation of Yoga
The Alchemical Transformation of YOGA
NEW YEAR ~ NEW YOU ~ ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE
2027 Student Cohort — Begins Thursday, January 14th, 2027
In many traditional approaches to yoga, the student did not simply walk into a class and begin practicing āsana. The student was first prepared for the path. Before advanced physical practices, students were taught the principles and philosophy that would shape how they lived, practiced, and understood yoga. This included teachings such as the yamas and niyamas—ethical disciplines and observances that establish the foundation for practice. The point was not simply to learn how to do yoga, but to understand why one practices, how one should approach practice, and what kind of person the practice is intended to cultivate. Only within that foundation does the physical practice take its proper place.
This is where our journey begins.
Our 2027 course follows a traditional-style progression:
1. ADHIKĀRA — Preparation & Qualification
Before deeper practice, the student establishes the foundation: ethical discipline, study, self-observation, relationship to tradition, and commitment.
The yamas and niyamas are not presented as rules to memorize and then forget. They become principles through which the student begins to examine everyday life and prepare the ground for yoga.
2. ŚODHANA — Purification
Once the foundation has been established, practice turns toward purification and clarification.
The body, breath, senses, and mind are gradually prepared as a vessel for deeper practice.
3. AGNI / TEJAS — Transformation & Illumination
The emphasis then shifts from simply removing obstacles to awakening transformative power.
Agni, the sacred fire, and tejas, radiance or inner brilliance, provide powerful traditional images for this stage.
4. RASA / AMṚTA — The Perfected Elixir
In Indian alchemical traditions, the perfected elixir represents transformation at its deepest level.
This is not designed as a collection of yoga classes that you can enter at any point.
It is a year-long course of study and practice in which each stage builds upon the one before it.
We will study philosophy.
We will practice āsana.
We will work with breath and prāṇa.
We will develop concentration and meditation.
We will explore traditional teachings and practices.
And, most importantly, we will learn how these pieces belong together as a path.
The 2027 Student Cohort
Our first class is Thursday, January 14th, 2027.
This date matters.
The students who begin in January will form the 2027 student cohort and will progress through the year's curriculum together. We will establish the foundations at the beginning, and then move forward. We will NOT continually return to the beginning throughout the year to accommodate students joining late. So, we will not be accepting any students into this program after January 14th.
You do not need years of previous yoga experience to join. This is the foundation of greatness and a great entry point for beginners! But you do need to be willing to begin with the group, commit to the process, and grow with the group.
By starting together, we can develop a shared foundation and gradually move into deeper material without continually stopping to start over.
Begin at the beginning.
Learn the tradition.
Practice progressively.
Grow with the group.
2027 begins Thursday, January 14th.
REGISTER with Laika at 574-226-6435.