An Introduction to the History & Philosophy of Yoga - a 12-week online course in practical philosophy
Want to deepen your understanding of yoga's spiritual roots, without the fluff?
Want to explore the history and philosophy of yoga, with both head and heart?
Want to actively enquire into yoga's deeper teachings, in a way that is relevant to your own life, practice and teaching, in a community of like-minded others?
Then, whether you are a yoga teacher or committed practitioner, this practical philosophy and history of yoga course is for you!
We start on June 17th 2025!
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for both yoga teachers and serious practitioners who want to move beyond surface-level learning into a space of critical enquiry, personal reflection, and embodied understanding.
Together, we’ll explore the rich philosophical and historical roots of yoga—not as abstract or distant ideas, but as living tools for deepening your connection to the yogic tradition, your personal practice, and your values today.
Maybe you already sense that yoga is grounded in “ancient wisdom” and a long-standing tradition—but you haven’t had the opportunity to explore the details or question the narratives you've been told. If you’re feeling disillusioned by vague spirituality or tired of being handed simplified versions of yoga’s “truth,” this course offers an evidence-based, reflective, and community-centred approach to learning.
With space for discussion, shared enquiry, and personal integration, this is a journey toward a more grounded, nuanced, and empowered relationship with yoga—rooted in both scholarship and lived experience. I can't wait to welcome you into this space!
About your teacher and facilitator | Floss Harry
Hi, I’m Floss—a yoga teacher, facilitator, and researcher with a background in philosophy, theology, and embodied practice. I have studied extensively with Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, taking courses in Yoga Philosophy, Tantra, and Yogic Asceticism. I also hold an Advanced Diploma and Masters in Philosophy of Religion and Sanskrit from the University of Cambridge, where I explored the relationship between philosophy and lived experience.
Through my teaching and facilitation, I help yoga practitioners and teachers connect with the deeper roots of yoga history and philosophy, as well as exploring the value of other religious, spiritual and contemplative traditions. For me, these philosophical ideas are not just as something to study, but as something to reflect on and enquire into, where contemplative philosophy goes hand in hand with embodied practice; they are two sides of the same coin., that help us live better, fuller and more meaningful lives.
I can't wait to welcome you into this space of enquiry and learning in community! Any questions, just get in touch.
This course's approach:
This course is not like the majority of other philosophy and history of yoga courses, which focus on abstract ideas and dry history without integration or reflection on modern life and yoga practice.
Instead, underpinned by the ancient and premodern view of philosophy as a practice and ways of life, this course combines rigorous academic research on the philosophy and history of yoga with philosophy as a practical and active enquiry - one that helps us reflect on and through the past, in order to find more value and meaning in the present.
You do not have to be an experienced philosopher to join this course. A curious and willing attitude is all that is needed, as this course will introduce you to the fundamentals in an accessible, engaging and relevant way. Such concepts include:
The Goals of Practice
Also known as 'soteriology' - the philosophy of the goals of spiritual and religious practice.
Underlying Visions of Reality
Also known as 'soteriology' - the philosophy of the goals of spiritual and religious practice.
The Role of Tradition
What is the role of tradition in the evolution of yoga, and what about today?
Hear more about the course from Floss
Why this approach is needed more than ever
In a post-lineage age of yoga — where traditional hierarchies are being questioned — many of us are searching for a deeper, more grounded spiritual connection. This course responds to that call, blending rigorous scholarship with personal reflection to help you understand yoga’s complex history and philosophy. Together, we’ll explore how ancient ideas relate to modern practice, and reflect on how to find an authentic path that honours both context and lived experience. All backgrounds are welcome — come with curiosity, openness, and a desire to dig deeper.
What's included:
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6 pre-recorded video lectures, released every other week — explore key topics in your own time, at your own pace.
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6 live group Zoom calls (on alternate weeks to lectures) for reflection, discussion, and Q&A — recordings provided if you can’t attend live.
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Interactive quizzes and reflective journal prompts to help you consolidate your understanding and in relation to your own life.
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WhatsApp group for community, reflections, and questions between sessions — a space to share insights and stay engaged.
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Direct access to Floss via WhatsApp for support with lecture content or clarifying questions between live calls.
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Optional: Add-on 1:1 mentoring package — two personalised sessions with Floss to support you in applying the material to your teaching and/ or practice.
Lectures:
The main content of the course is delivered through six pre-recorded lectures, which you can watch or listen to in your own time. These lectures are designed to give you a rich, engaging introduction to key moments and ideas in the history and philosophy of yoga—from its ancient roots to modern developments.
Each lecture is around 60 minutes long and accompanied by optional reading suggestions, reflection prompts, and occasional short quizzes to help you digest and integrate the material. They’re released every other week, giving you plenty of time to absorb the content before we meet live to explore it further. You’ll have access to the lectures for at least six months after the course ends, so you can revisit them whenever it suits you.
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Lecture outlines:
Each lecture explores a different theme or period in the history and philosophy of yoga. Together, they build a picture of yoga as a diverse, evolving, and often contradictory tradition—inviting reflection, curiosity, and critical engagement which we will further explore through our live Zoom sessions.
Lecture 1: What Is (Yoga) Philosophy?
We begin by asking what we mean by 'philosophy'—in yoga and in life. You'll explore different ways of thinking about knowledge, liberation, and practice.
Lecture 2: Ancient Yoga – The Vedas, Upaniṣads & Early Concepts
A deep dive into some of the earliest Indian texts that shaped yogic worldviews: ritual, renunciation, liberation (moksha), and the Self (ātman).
Lecture 3: Classical Yoga – Patañjali and the Eight Limbs
Unpacking the Yoga Sūtras, dualism, the eight limbs (aṣṭāṅga yoga), and how this shaped later ideas of practice and purity.
Lecture 4: Tantra and the Body as Sacred
Explore non-dual Śaiva Tantra, embodied liberation, subtle body maps (like kuṇḍalinī and chakras), and their influence on modern yoga.
Lecture 5: Colonialism, Orientalism & Modern Yoga
How yoga was reshaped under colonial rule—through nationalism, Western interest, and the invention of modern postural yoga.
Lecture 6: Yoga Today – Post-Lineage, Power, and Possibility
We explore contemporary currents: the rise of post-lineage yoga, decolonial thought, trauma-informed practice, and the - should what we practice today even be called yoga?
*please note, some content details may be subject to slight change.
You will not only be introduced to the historical and philosophical development of yoga, but also learn how to explore these developments through the different branches of philosophy, helping aid further reflection in relation to modern life.
In this way, you will not only learn facts about yoga, but learn to grasp philosophical tools to reflect and examine yoga's development in relation your own life, values, and innate philosophies.
Live Calls:
While our lectures in the history and philosophy of yoga offer rich insights, it is through our interactive Zoom calls that we explore, discuss and reflect on our learning, together. After all, the path of knowledge is not one we pursue alone, but one we excel in through dialogue with others.
These sessions are held every other week and are designed to foster community, reflection and practical exploration. They’re a chance to ask questions, share your ideas, and reflect on how the teachings and themes we find in the lecture content relate to each other, and our own life and practice. Sometimes, Floss will also introduce additional material to focus and deepen our discussion, or spark fresh perspectives.
Our live calls are every other Tuesday evening at 6.30pm UK time:
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Tuesday 17th June
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Tuesday 1st July
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Tuesday 15th July
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Tuesday 29th July
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Tuesday 12th August
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Tuesday 26th August
Calls will be around 75 - 90 minutes. All calls will be recorded for replay if you can't make it live. Please note, all these times are UK Greenwich Mean Time.
If you can’t make a call live, don’t worry—recordings will be available, and you’re welcome to message Floss in advance with any questions or reflections you’d like brought into the space.
What makes this course unique?
This course is not like the majority of other philosophy and history of yoga courses, which focus on abstract ideas and dry history in a way that bears little relevance to modern life.
Instead, this course combines rigorous academic research on the philosophy and history of yoga with philosophy as a practical and active enquiry - one that helps us reflect on and through the past, in order to find more value and meaning in the present.
You do not have to be an experienced philosopher to join this course. A curious and willing attitude is all that is needed, as this course will introduce you to the fundamentals!
You will not only be introduced to the historical and philosophical development of yoga, but also learn how to explore these developments through the different branches of philosophy, helping aid further reflection in relation to modern life.
In this way, you will not only learn facts about yoga, but learn to grasp philosophical tools to reflect and examine them yoga's development in relation your own life, values, and innate philosophies.
Floss creates much-needed spaces for yoga teachers and practitioners to share, enquire and discuss from a place of curiosity. She is wonderful at creating an inviting, comfortable, atmosphere in the way that she gently facilitates her sessions."
— Elene, London
"Her teachings invite you to not just think about philosophy, but to feel it, live it, and integrate it into your whole being. I left her sessions feeling both inspired and more connected to myself and my purpose as a teacher.”
— Anna, Cambridge
"Studying the philosophy and history of yoga is essential. Not just to know about yoga’s development, though this is important. But to deepen our understanding and exploration of yoga, philosophy and spirituality personally in our own lives; reflecting on the past, and enquiring in the present. This course provides a well-needed space and community for that enquiry."
Floss Harry
Earlybird
Full Course
297
Access to the full 12-week course at a discounted earlybird rate.
Access to the full 12-week course
6+ pre-recorded lectures
6 live Zooms
Group chat for reflection, questions, community & feedback
Earlybird
Full Course + Mentoring Sessions
397
Everything in the full course, plus 2x 45-minute 1:1 mentoring sessions tailored to your personal development as a yoga teacher or practitioner.
Access to the full 12-week course
6+ pre-recorded lectures
6 live Zooms
Group chat for reflection, questions, community & feedback
X2 45-min mentoring sessions on Zoom
Earlybird
Full Course X3 Instalments
99
Every month
Access to the full 12-week course at a discounted earlybird rate, paid in X3 instalments of £99 .
Access to the full 12-week course
6+ pre-recorded lectures
6 live Zooms
Group chat for reflection, questions, community & feedback
Earlybird
Full Course + Mentoring X3 Instalments
133
Every month
Everything in the full course, plus 2x 45-minute 1:1 mentoring sessions tailored to your personal development as a yoga teacher or practitioner, paid in x3 instalments of £133.
Access to the full 12-week course
6+ pre-recorded lectures
6 live Zooms
Group chat for reflection, questions, community & feedback
X2 45-min mentoring sessions on Zoom
Choose your plan:
Join the course on its own, or add two 1:1 mentoring sessions — perfect for yoga teachers or dedicated practitioners who want to dive deeper into their teaching and personal practice through personalised feedback, discussion and mentorship. Pay in full or choose to pay in 3 instalments.
The course begins on Tuesday 17th June with the first video lecture release.
Early bird pricing ends 10th June.
Please note, this is the first time I am running this course and therefore pricing will go up next time. Join now to get the lower price!
From a low-income background? 2 scholarships available, get in touch to enquire.
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What are the start and end dates for the course?The course begins on Tuesday 17th June 2025 with the first pre-recorded lecture. From there, lectures are released every other Tuesday, with live Zoom calls on the alternating Tuesdays. The final live call (our closing circle) takes place on Tuesday 2nd September 2025. You’ll have ongoing access to all course materials after it ends, so you can continue reflecting and learning in your own time.
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How long is the course?The course runs for 12 weeks. We’ll alternate between live sessions and pre-recorded lectures, giving you time and space to digest, reflect, and engage
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Do I need to have studied the history and philosophy of yoga before?Not at all. This course is suitable for beginners to yoga philosophy as well as those looking to revisit and deepen what they’ve already learned. I’ll guide you through everything step by step with plenty of context and support. If you are unsure of anything from the lectures throughout, you are welcome to ask in the group chat or message Floss directly.
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What if I can't make all the live sessions?If you can't make the live sessions, the recordings will be made available for catch up. If you have any points or questions you want to be bought up in the live sessions in your absence, you can share in advance either privately or in the group chat, and Floss will do her best to answer them in the calls.
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Are the mentoring sessions just for yoga teachers?No — the mentoring sessions are open to anyone taking the course who wants more personalised guidance. While they can be especially helpful for yoga teachers looking to integrate the material into their classes or deepen their teaching philosophy, they’re equally valuable for dedicated practitioners who want to explore how the course themes relate to their personal practice, spiritual path, or life more broadly. If you're unsure whether mentoring is right for you, or want to explore how your sessions could be structured, you're welcome to get in touch with Floss before purchasing.
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When does earlybird end?The early bird deadline for the course is Tuesday, 10th June 2025. Enrolling by this date secures your spot at the discounted rate. After 10th June, standard pricing will apply (£397 standard, £497 with mentoring). If you have any questions about the course or need assistance with enrolment, feel free to reach out.
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How is the course structured?Each week alternates between a pre-recorded lecture (released for you to watch in your own time) and a live group call where we discuss, reflect, and go deeper together. There are also optional readings, exercises, and quizzes to help consolidate your learning.
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What kinds of topics will we explore?In this course, we’ll look at key periods in yoga's history— including its ancient origins, medieval developments, and transitions through colonialism and modernity. We will explore major philosophical ideas and practices found across yoga's history, and explore central themes including the underlying visions of reality, the goals of the practice, and social, political and pragmatic themes we find throughout time. We’ll also reflect on how these ideas and themes relate to modern yoga, including practice, teaching, and values today.
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What is the time commitment for this course?You’ll want to set aside 1–2 hours per week for lectures and reflection, and around 1 hour every other week for our live group calls. Everything is recorded, so you can work at your own pace if needed. You will have access to the materials for six months.
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I am a yoga teacher – how will this course help my teaching?This course will give you a clearer, more grounded understanding of where yoga comes from, how it has evolved, and how you can speak about it with more depth and confidence, without the fluff. It will also help you reflect on your own teaching values and how philosophy can inform your style, language, and class themes in a more authentic and empowering way.
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How long do I have access to the recordings & lectures for?You’ll have access to all course content and recordings for at least 6 months after the course ends, so you can revisit the material in your own time.
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Can I pay in instalments?Yes, you can. Please choose that option at check out at no additional cost.
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Will I receive a certificate?Yes! You’ll receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course if you engage with at least 75% of the content.
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I am a yoga teacher – is this course accredited?At present, the course is not accredited by a specific yoga body (like Yoga Alliance), but it is designed to complement and deepen your CPD (continued professional development). Many teachers include it in their hours of further study and add it to their tax return as a business expense.
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Is 1-to-1 support available?Yes! Floss is available for direct message via Whatsaap with any lecture content-related questions you may have. If you want more specific and personalised guidance or support around applying the material to your teaching or practice, you can join the course with an additional 2X 45-minute mentoring sessions for an extra £100. If you want to book further or one-off 1-2-1 mentoring sessions with Floss, get in touch.
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What if I haven't practiced yoga before?The course is designed primarily for experienced yoga practitioners and teachers. However, if you’re deeply curious and willing to engage with the material, you are very welcome. Just be aware the course assumes some familiarity with yoga as a practice.
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I'm not sure if I’m ‘smart’ enough?This course isn’t about being “smart”—it’s about being curious. You don’t need any academic background to take part. I’ll guide you through the ideas clearly and supportively, and you’ll never be expected to “know it all.” Your lived experience, questions, and reflections are all welcome here. If you have any questions or require clarification regarding lecture content, you can ask in the group chat, during our live calls, or direct message Floss.
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What is your refund policy?If you join and find the course isn’t for you, you can request a full refund within the first 7 days of the course starting—no questions asked.
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Do I need to attend the live calls to benefit from the course?Not at all. All live calls are recorded and uploaded, so you can watch them in your own time. Live participation is a great way to connect with others and ask questions, but the course is designed to be accessible and flexible.
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Will this course run again?Yes, I plan to run this course again in the future. However, this is the first time it's being offered — and with that comes the lowest price it will ever be. Future iterations will be at a higher rate, so if you're interested, now is the best time to join and get access to the full course at the best possible value.
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Question left unanswered?Feel free to get in touch! I'm happy to answer any questions via email or arrange a short call if you're unsure whether the course is the right fit for you.
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Will I need to do all the readings?No. The readings are optional and there to support your curiosity, as well as reference my sources, but they’re not required to follow or benefit from the course. These are the kinds of texts you may explore at a later date, after the course as well, to further your study. We will also have opportunity to explore some excerpts from yogic texts in our live group calls.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)