Agni: The Fires of Transformation

• Format: YTT Short Course
• Chose four Short Courses to create an Eclectic Weekend Module
• Also part of “Virya: The Spiritual Warrior Within” YTT Themed Intensive Module
• Instruction Time: 3 hours

Homa, havan, agnihotra, antim-sanskaram (cremation), arti, and sati are among a few of the many ritual cycles which center around the element of fire, or agni. Once considered a diety, Agni was the messenger of the Gods, the acceptor of sacrifice, taking offerings to the Gods. The cult of Fire in Vedic times was later downgraded during the Hindu period to domestic and templar ritual. It is believed that through fire all offerings and prayers are delivered to the Divine. Likewise, in the human body, it is via agni that all metabolic transformations occur, all thoughts are thought, and all organs and tissues nourished. In this course practical yogic techniques and ayurvedic remedies to preserve, cleanse, rippen and strengthen one’s agni are presented. Herbs, spices, teas, fasting and cleansing techniques included.

Yoga Alliance: This program satisfies Yoga Alliance requirements for anatomy and physiology, philosophy, lifestyle and ethics, and elective hours.

Course Outline (3 hrs)

• The History of Agni in Vedic Culture
• Agni the Diety: Messenger of the Gods
• Agni and Svaha: Nourishing the Gods
• Agni in other Languages
• Agni in the Vedas
• Vedic Fire Rituals: Homa, Havan, Agnihotra, Cremation, Arti, and Sati
• Agni in other Faiths
• Agni the Mahabhuta: The Fire Element in Nature
• Agni in Yoga: Agnisara, Tapas, Hot Yoga, Pranagni
• The 13 Agnis in Ayurveda
• Brief Intro to Tridosha Theory: Vata, Pitta and Kapha as Physiological Forces
• Pitta Dosha
• The Four States of Agni: Sama, Manda, Tikshna, and Visham
• Food as Sadhana (Spiritual Practice): Digestion, Agni and Culinary Spices
• Deepana: Herbs to Regenerate Weak Agni
• Agni Tea Recipe
• The Role of Agni in the 7 Tissues
• Balancing Ojas (Water, Yin) and Agni (Fire, Yang)
• Putting Out Wildfires: Inflammation as Aggravated Pitta
• The Subtle Fire: The Light of Tejas
• We Enter and Leave this Life Through Fire
• The Soul as Fire
• The Flame that Burns Within: Manipura, Ming Men
• The Flames of Change and Self Empowerment