Hatha Yoga Pradipika Weekend Immersion With Doug Keller
Exploring the Roots, Practices & Deeper Purpose of Hatha Yoga
January 9–10, 2027 - 1:00 PM–5:00 PM PDT
An online workshop hosted by Yoga Kula
Recording available for 12 months
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika, often translated as “Light on Hatha Yoga,” is one of the most important surviving classical texts of the Hatha Yoga tradition. Composed by Svātmārāma, traditionally dated to approximately the 15th century, it brings together teachings from earlier Hatha Yoga traditions and presents a systematic path that includes āsana, pranayama, mudra, bandha, purification practices, meditation, and samadhi.
This weekend immersion with Doug Keller offers a unique opportunity to step beyond the modern understanding of yoga as primarily a physical practice and explore the larger vision of Hatha Yoga. The Pradipika presents physical practices as part of a progressive path toward steadiness of body and mind, refinement of prana, deeper meditation, and ultimately the recognition of our essential nature.
Why Study the Hatha Yoga Pradipika?
Studying this text gives us a deeper understanding of where many of the practices of modern yoga come from and what they were originally intended to accomplish. It provides a traditional framework for understanding the relationship between āsana, breath, prana, the subtle body, meditation, and consciousness.
Rather than treating yoga as a collection of techniques, the Pradipika invites us to consider how these practices work together as a path. The text moves from āsana and purification practices into pranayama, mudra and bandha, and ultimately toward meditation and samadhi.
For contemporary practitioners, this study can bring greater context and intention to our practice. For teachers, it can deepen our understanding of the roots of Hatha Yoga and provide a richer philosophical and practical foundation for teaching.
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika presents Hatha Yoga as much more than physical exercise. The practices are intended to prepare and refine the body, breath, energy, and mind so that deeper states of meditation become possible. This broader perspective allows us to reconsider the purpose of our own practice. Why do we practice āsana? What is the role of breath? How does working with prana affect the mind? How do practices of concentration and meditation become a natural continuation of Hatha Yoga?
Throughout the weekend, Doug will bring the text to life through a combination of study, discussion, practice, and reflection.
We will explore:
The origins and historical context of Hatha Yoga
Svātmārāma and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika
The relationship between Hatha Yoga, Tantra, and Raja Yoga
The purpose and evolution of āsana
Pranayama and the relationship between breath, prana, and mind
The subtle body, nāḍīs, chakras, and the movement of prana
The role of mudra and bandha
How Hatha Yoga practices prepare us for meditation
Meditation and the movement toward deeper inner awareness
How the teachings of this classical text can inform contemporary yoga practice
We will not simply read about these practices—we will experience them. Through guided āsana, pranayama, meditation, and contemplative practices, we will explore how the teachings of the Pradipika can become embodied and relevant to our lives today.
This weekend is an invitation to slow down and look more deeply at the tradition underlying the yoga we practice today. Whether you are a longtime practitioner, yoga teacher, student of yoga philosophy, or simply curious about the deeper roots of Hatha Yoga, this immersion offers an opportunity to study an important primary text, experience its practices, and explore how its teachings can illuminate your own path of practice.
Join us for this immersion into the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
Price: $145 before Jan 5/ $160 after
Certificate: You will receive a certificate of attendance of 8 Yoga Alliance Continuing Education credits.
When: January 9–10, 2027 - 1:00 PM–5:00 PM PDT
Technology: Zoom will be used. You will receive the zoom link in the confirmation email.
Reminder emails: will be sent 2 days, 30 min and 10min before the event.
Recorded Video of the livestream session will be sent 48hr after the live session. If you cannot make the time but would like to attend, please register to receive the video link.
YogaKula Policies : No refunds are offered on workshops. You are welcome to transfer your ticket to someone else.
Doug Keller holds a master’s degree in philosophy from Fordham University and is one of the earliest teachers certified in Anusara Yoga. His yoga journey includes fourteen years of practice in Siddha Yoga ashrams, intensive training in the Iyengar method, and decades of teaching throughout the U.S. and internationally. Known for his clarity and depth, Doug continues to explore the therapeutic dimensions of yoga while honoring the broader philosophical and spiritual traditions from which yoga arises.
Website:https://www.doyoga.com