Supercharge your spiritual life with our most popular course in yoga and meditation
Discover the authentic roots of yoga in this transformative 11-week journey that seamlessly integrates meditation, physical practice, and timeless wisdom.
Whether you’re new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, this course offers a unique blend of practical techniques and profound spiritual insights.
Deep dives into philosophy are paired with an emphasis on actual practice — the only way to truly understand yoga and meditation — and will help make your spiritual life much deeper and richer.
Dates
11 Thursday evenings from September 4, 2025
6:00 pm to 9:15 pm Pacific Time plus 1 Saturday workshop on October 11 from 10a – 4p
Cost
$395 for the full course. You can also choose to take only one part of the course for a discount. Learn more.
Location
In-person at the Ananda Blue Lotus Temple in Bothell or online.
Questions? Email us or call 425-806-3700.
“Taking this Raja Yoga class was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It was life-changing!”
What makes this course unique
- Integration of complete yoga practice — meditation, asana, philosophy, and energy work
- Experiential learning with immediate results — 2 hours of practice in each 3.25-hour session
- Powerful ancient techniques made relevant for modern life
- Supportive community environment and group practice
Who is it for
This course is helpful for everyone — from complete beginners to practitioners with decades of experience. You’ll find value whether you’re:
- Seeking stress relief and better health and well-being
- Looking to deepen your spiritual practice
- Wanting to understand yourself better
- Exploring authentic yogic traditions
- Interested in Self-realization and the path of Kriya Yoga
Ancient wisdom for modern life
Whether you’re a beginner or have been a yoga and meditation practitioner for decades, this course will take you deeper in:
- Meditation, the art of being still and listening to your inner, highest Self — learn the powerful technique of watching the breath to deepen concentration and bestow a sense of calmness and well-being
- Pranayama, energy-control exercises that help to calm your mind
- Yoga postures for personal healing, relieving tension, and spiritual growth — including the deeper meaning behind the poses and how they work
- Understanding the philosophy of ancient yoga that tie these spiritual practices together — including the similarities between teachings in the Bhagavad Gita and the Bible and an exploration of the well-known Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Ultimately, all of these techniques lead to a place of profound stillness. It’s in this stillness that we touch upon our true soul nature and experience the qualities of peace, joy, calmness, discernment, and great vitality.
A new topic each week
Each week brings the exploration of a different facet of the yoga teachings, including (for example) the chakras, breathing exercises, magnetism, energy, the role of the Guru, bringing yoga into daily life, diet, and more.
A given evening will include this structure and some of these topics:
- Hatha Yoga, 6:00 – 7:15 pm: We’ll practice yoga postures and explore additional techniques and topics such as pranayama, affirmations, bandhas, healing, and yoga routines
- Break, 7:15 – 7:30 pm: Time to have a snack and visit with fellow students
- Guided Meditation, 7:30 – 8:15 pm: Going deeper each week, we’ll learn meditation practices using breath, mantra, pranayama, affirmation, chanting, visualization, and chakra exercises
- Raja Yoga, 8:15 – 9:15 pm: A time to deepen our understanding of philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali’s Eightfold Path of Ashtanga Yoga, and expand our minds with the philosophy of karma, kundalini, astral and causal planes, cosmology, reincarnation, and much more
“Raja Yoga was a wonderful class that gave me much more understanding of yoga. I loved it. I learned so much.”
Your instructors
Murali Venkatrao
Murali Venkatrao is the director of the Ananda Institute of Living Yoga. He has been teaching yoga and meditation since 2002, and is an active researcher studying Yoga’s impact on diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and other metabolic disorders. He is currently the Director of yoga teacher programs at the Ananda Institute of Living Yoga in Bothell, Washington, and a Professor of Yogic Physiology at Vivekananda Yoga University in Norwalk, California.
Nancy Callan
Nancy Callan has been teaching Ananda Yoga since 2014, and has many years of personal practice and study. She is part of the Ananda Yoga Teacher Training team of instructors. Students say that she is energetic, clear, and able to create a safe space for her students.
“Raja Yoga was a wonderful class that gave me much more understanding of yoga. I loved it. I learned so much.”
Sign Up
Register now for the course. Class begins on September 4 through November 13, 2025.
Any choice can be either in-person or online.
Complete Course
From 6:00 to 9:15pm-
The complete deep-dive into yoga philosophy and practice, both esoteric and practical
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Everything in the Hatha Yoga portion of the class
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Everything in the Raja Yoga portion of the class
Hatha Yoga Only
From 6:00 to 7:15 pm-
Yoga postures (asanas)
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Pranayama
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Affirmations
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Bandhas
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Healing
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Yoga routines
Raja Yoga Only
From 7:30 to 9:15 pm-
Meditation practices including mantra and pranayama
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Affirmation, visualization, and chanting
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Philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras
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Karma, Kundalini, astral and causal planes
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Cosmology, reincarnation, and much more
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Yoga in daily life, including health, diet, and more
Taking the course for a second or third time (or more)? Click here to add to your cart ($150).
Fill Out the Registration Form
After signing up for the course, please fill out this registration form and share some information about yourself so that we can give you the best course experience possible.
Frequent Questions
Who is this course for?
The course is open to all, whether new to this or wanting to deepen your experience. There are no prerequisites and no organizational affiliation needed or expected. Raja yoga is universal and nonsectarian.
I’m interested in learning Kriya Yoga…
The Art and Science of Raja Yoga is a foundational course and prerequisite for those students who may be interested in Kriya Yoga preparation and initiation. It’s an ideal first step on the path of Kriya Yoga.
I’m taking Yoga Teacher Training. Is this course part of that?
This course is 42 hours of the 200 required for our Yoga Teacher Training program that happens each January. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact us.
I am a yoga teacher. Can I use this for Yoga Alliance continuing education?
Yes, you’ll receive 42 contact hours.
What if I’m not able to attend a class in-person?
You’ll be able to attend live online through Zoom. (Students do also have access to recordings, but we strongly encourage you to attend live.)
Is the book The Art and Science of Raja Yoga included or purchased separately?
Some students taking the class already have this book, so we ask everyone to purchase it separately.
What is your refund policy?
Course fees are refundable in full if withdrawn prior to commencement of the first class. It is pro-rated thereafter (less a $50 administrative fee).