Image: Sri Nityai Khepa, Dwarnori, Bardhaman, West Bengal, India. Photo by Dr. Carol Salomon.

YS 116 | Sikhism and Yoga

Available for Self-Study

ENROLLMENT OPTIONS

Course Description

What is the Sikh tradition? What can the tradition tell us about Yoga? Is there a Sikh Yoga? 

The Sikh tradition—Sikhi, or Sikhism—emerged in the diverse and pluralistic environment of medieval India with the birth of its founder, Guru Nanak (1469-1539). Today Sikhi is one the world’s largest faith groups, and its adherents are located around the world. This course will explore the historical emergence of the tradition, providing a foundation of knowledge and then exploring the philosophy and practices located within its scriptures and performed by its adherents. The Sikh tradition allows for a unique look at the practice of Yoga during the medieval and Mughal period in India, where there were significant interactions and philosophical discussions between Sikhs and Yogis. Students will gain an understanding of Gurmat, or the Guru’s philosophy, from primary sources such as the Guru Granth Sahib and the Dasam Granth. These texts will be examined in relation to concepts of Yoga which were circulating during that time.

Following a textual examination of scripture, students will explore the pluralistic nature of Sikhi during the 18th and 19th centuries, examining various ascetic groups who resemble and practice some forms of Yoga, including the Udasis. This relationship between normative Sikhs and these ascetic groups will shed light on the shifting and wavering notions of identity related to Sikhi before the advent of colonialism in India. The course will conclude by examining modern day practices and various groups who utilize Yoga in a Sikh context.

Course Modules

Students Will Receive: 

  • 4 Pre-recorded video + audio lectures (90 min)
  • 4 Pre-recorded Q&A sessions (90 min)
  • 4 ACP Credits
  • 12 Hours of CE credit with YA
  • Course Syllabus (PDF)
  • Weekly Readings (PDF)
  • 4 Multiple Choice Quizzes
  • Yogic Studies Certificate (PDF)
  • Access to the private Community Forum

Dr. Jvala Singh

Lecturer, University of California, Berkeley and Sessional Instructor, Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Jvala Singh is a lecturer at University of California, Berkeley, for Punjabi and a sessional instructor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, teaching courses on religion in India and Sikh history. He completed his PhD at the University of British Columbia, where he explored pre-colonial Sikh historical narratives. This research examined literature in Punjabi and Brajbhasha from the 18th and 19th centuries, building off his previous M.A. research completed at the University of Toronto, where he focused on Sikh Brajbhasha versions of Sanskrit epics, such as the Ramayana.

In furthering accessibility of pre-colonial Sikh Brajbhasha texts, Jvala Singh runs a podcast, the Suraj Podcast, where each episode is a chapter summary in English of the voluminous Suraj Prakash, a historical narrative covering the lives of the ten Sikh Gurus. written by Santokh Singh. You can find his lectures on various topics on his YouTube page.

"I found YS 116 with Jvala Singh highly informative and engaging. At a time when many in the Punjabi Sikh diaspora seem to be exploring facets of identity by reconnecting with, reclaiming and reimagining Sikh spiritual traditions through a decolonizing lens, the rich course content offered by Jvala Singh coupled with the many scholarly and personal connections made during our weekly dialogues, have sparked in me a sense of hope for communal, cultural and spiritual renewal."

— Sandeep Kaur Glover, PhD Candidate, Vancouver, B.C., on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish Nations

"YS 116 with Jvala Singh was a thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking experience.
The course materials, both the beautifully illustrated lectures and engaging related readings for each module, were excellent. The diverse range of people who studied the course was a real strength, and I really enjoyed learning from what other people shared in the community space and weekly Q+As." 

— Dr. Ehpriya Matharu, Bangkok, Thailand

"Jvala Singh's unassuming delivery was very engaging. I learnt things about Sikhism that I never knew I didn't know, and found the whole breakdown of the evolution of Yoga and Sikhism fascinating."

— Wendy Teasdill, Glastonbury, UK

Enrollment is OPEN for Self-Study

Regular Tuition

$175

One-Time Payment

  • Lifetime access to YS 116
ENROLL

Regular Tuition

$88 x 2

Two Monthly Payments

  • Lifetime access to YS 116
ENROLL

Membership Program

$75/m

Monthly Subscription

  • Access to YS 116

  • Access to all YS + BS courses—including live and future courses 

  • Access to SKT 100a + SKT 100b

ENROLL

This course is eligible for 12 hours of Continued Education (CE) credits with Yoga Alliance

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