Yoga Philosophy Certificate

Courses and Certificate in Yoga Philosophy

The Yoga Philosophy program offers a number of online short courses that provide a foundational introduction to the spiritual and philosophic traditions that inform yoga, and is designed to enrich one's own yoga practice or even advance one's career as a teacher. Online classes, marked as YGPX, are offered each semester and enrollment is open (upcoming courses are listed below under Schedule + Location). Students must complete 120 hours of coursework for Certificate in Yoga Philosophy. Details are below under General Information

Yoga Philosophy Certificate Requirements

Yoga Philosophy Continuing Education Certification – Curriculum Overview

The Yoga Philosophy Continuing Education Certification offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary exploration of classical and contemporary yogic knowledge. Students complete a total of 12.0 semester hours, which includes the program’s required core courses and 5.0 semester hours of elective coursework selected from a broad range of advanced studies in yoga philosophy, contemplative practice, and integrative wellness.

Elective options allow students to deepen their understanding of traditional texts, embodied practices, and the application of yogic wisdom in modern contexts. Topics include:

• Integrative Yoga Therapy & Addiction Recovery
  Study the theory, evidence base, and clinical applications of yoga as a complementary therapy for substance use recovery and mental health.

• Yoga, Mindfulness, and Social Change
  A multi-module exploration of dharma, karma, ethics, climate justice, animal rights, gender and embodiment, colonization, technology, wellness culture, and the Indian diaspora. Students examine how yogic principles inform social responsibility and contemporary civic engagement.

• Buddhist Sādhanā & Contemplative Traditions
  Immersive practice-based study of foundational Buddhist texts such as the Satipaṭṭhāna Sūtra, the Heart Sūtra, the Bodhisattva Path, and the life and teachings of Milarepa. Emphasis is placed on meditation, compassion practices, and philosophical inquiry.

• Ayurvedic Studies
  Courses introduce the foundational principles of Ayurveda, with opportunities for deeper study in areas such as pulse assessment, diagnostic methods, and traditional Ayurvedic therapies.

• Sādhanā and Ethical Foundations
  An introduction to yogic precepts, ethics, and personal practice as the basis for spiritual development and applied yoga philosophy.

• Yoga Nidra and Subtle Practices
  Study the theory, lineage history, and guided methodologies of Yoga Nidra as a meditative and therapeutic practice.

Through these elective offerings, students tailor their learning to their interests while building a strong foundation in the philosophical, ethical, and contemplative dimensions of yoga. The certification supports both personal development and professional advancement for yoga teachers, therapists, and practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of the wisdom traditions that inform modern practice.

Yoga Philosophy Core Classes

Yoga Philosophy Certificate: Core Courses

The Yoga Philosophy Continuing Education Program offers a series of online short courses that provide a foundational introduction to the spiritual and philosophical traditions that inform yoga. These courses are designed to enrich one’s personal practice or support professional growth as a yoga teacher.

Core classes include:

• Yoga Sūtra (15 hours) Fall 2025

• Bhagavad Gītā (10 hours) Spring 2026

• Sāṁkhya Kārikā (10 hours) Spring 2026

• Upaniṣads (10 hours) Spring 2026

These core courses are required for both the Yoga Philosophy Certificate.

Students in this program have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of yoga. Coursework introduces students to the language and root texts of the classical period of Indian history—traditions that form the foundation of modern yoga practice in the United States.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Appreciate and understand the historical and cultural context of yoga

• Understand and teach from the Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali, widely regarded as the most coherent and authoritative outline of Classical Yoga

• Value the root texts of yoga in their original language

Tuition for the core courses is $1,050 

Electives

Elective Courses (5.0 Semester Hours Required)

Students choose from a range of online electives that deepen their study of yoga philosophy, contemplative traditions, and applied practice.

• Integrative Yoga Therapy for Addiction Recovery – Theory, evidence, and clinical application of yoga in substance-use recovery.

• Yoga, Mindfulness, and Social Change (Module 1): Dharma & Karma / Climate & Animal Issues – Classical ethics applied to ecological and animal-justice concerns.

• Buddhist Sādhanā: Satipaṭṭhāna Sūtra – Study and practice of foundational Buddhist mindfulness teachings.

• Introduction to Āyurveda – Overview of doṣas, wellness principles, and the philosophical foundations of Āyurvedic medicine.

• The Bodhisattva Path: The Union of Great Compassion & Transcendent Wisdom – Exploration of Mahāyāna ideals of compassion and wisdom.

• Buddhist Sādhanā: The Heart Sūtra – A close reading of the Prajñāpāramitā teachings on emptiness.

• Yoga, Mindfulness, and Social Change (Module 2): Women, Body, Diet, & Substance Use – Gendered experiences through a yogic and ethical lens.

• Yoga, Mindfulness, and Social Change (Module 3): Women & Gender / Colonization – Yoga and embodiment in historical and post-colonial contexts.

• Buddhist Sādhanā: Milarepa – Study of the life, songs, and practices of the Tibetan yogi Milarepa.

• Yoga, Mindfulness, and Social Change (Module 4): Technology & Wellness – Yoga philosophy in the age of digital culture and wellness economies.

• Recovery & Addiction: Professional Development in Yoga Therapy – Continued training in integrative approaches to addiction and recovery care.

• Sādhanā: Precepts – Study of yogic ethical foundations (yamas / niyamas) as lived practice.

• Yoga, Mindfulness, and Social Change (Module 5): Indian Diaspora / Karma & Dharma – Contemporary movement of yoga and identity within diasporic frameworks.

• Āyurveda: Pulse & Therapies – Introduction to nāḍī parīkṣā (pulse assessment) and traditional therapeutic methods.

• Yoga Nidrā – Foundations of the philosophy and guided methodology of yogic sleep.

Course offerings are subject to change. Some classes may be cross-listed, offered online, in-person, or in a hybrid format, or may be rescheduled or cancelled with proper notice. If needed, courses may be supplemented or replaced with comparable offerings to ensure students can complete required elective units.

Please contact yogastudies@lmu.edu with questions