Unleash Your Inner Warrior:
Discover the Bhagavad Gita's Path to Purpose and Fulfillment
Bhagavad Gita
Essential Wisdom for Intentional Living
The Bhagavad Gita, a timeless jewel of spiritual wisdom written in ancient India more than 2,000 years ago, offers profound insights into the human condition which resonate across cultures and generations.
More than just a philosophical text, it's a practical guide for navigating the complexities of life with grace, courage, and purpose, and forms the basis for much of modern yoga philosophy.
In its verses, you'll discover:
- The nature of the self: Delve into the depths of your true identity, beyond the roles you play and the masks you wear.
- The power of engagement: Uncover your unique purpose and align your actions with your highest values.
- The art of skillful action: Learn to act with clarity and wisdom, even in the midst of chaos.
- The path to inner peace: Cultivate a mind and heart which is unshakable and resilient to life's inevitable challenges.
- The ultimate connection: Discover the profound unity that underlies all of existence.
Whether you're an artist seeking inspiration, a high-performer striving for excellence, or simply someone yearning for a deeper connection to yourself and the world around you, the Gita offers a roadmap to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.
The Bhagavad Gita doesn't shy away from life's difficulties. It provides timeless wisdom for overcoming fear, mastering your mind, and finding meaning in both joy and sorrow.
Cultivate inner peace and revel in your potential
Transform your life from the inside out
Benefits of studying the Bhagavad Gita
Increased self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Enhanced focus and mental clarity
Improved decision-making skills
Greater resilience in the face of challenges
Deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment
SCHEDULE
February 6-10, 2025
Details are to be finalized but generally:
- Geshe Michael will teach twice a day, integrating Xuanzang's Tower.
- Earle Birney will teach once a day
- Michael Johnson will teach Sanskrit once a day
- YSI Instructors will lead meditation and yoga asana each day
- Follow-up program led by Benji
Preview the Syllabus:
- Class 1: Setting the Scene
- Class 2: Acting without Acting
- Class 3: Acting from Love
- Class 4: The Multitude of Offerings
- Class 5: The Yoga of Knowledge
- Class 6: The Yoga of Action
- Class 8: The Yoga of Meditation
- Class 9: Divinity & Rarity
- Class 10: The Foundation of Vows
Meet your instructors
Geshe Michael Roach
Geshe Michael Roach is the first American to complete the highly esteemed “Geshe” degree after 25 years of study with Himalayan masters. At the same time, he helped found Andin International Diamond Corporation in New York City; he used yogic principles to grow it from a small investment to garnering $250 million USD in annual sales before selling it in 2009.
Considered as one the world's foremost English translators for Eastern philosophical texts, Geshe Michael has translated tens of thousands of pages of ancient manscripts from Sanskrit and Tibetan into English. He has founded over 40 organizations which bring the wisdom of yoga to the world, one of which is an input project that has now digitized over two million pages of Asia's classic philosophical texts and has become the worlds largest free digital library of Eastern cultural texts.
Earle Birney
Earle has studied with the Yoga Studies Institute (YSI) since 2006 where he completed the five year curriculum covering the essential texts of yoga philosophy including the Yoga Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita as well as the Lady Niguma and Heart Yoga systems. He has studied with many great teachers in the Ashtanga, Bikram, Anusara, and Sivananda systems as well and is a 500 hr E-RYT.
He has produced and taught at international retreats as well as completed a three year three month and three day silent meditation retreat.
At present Earle is living in New York where he teaches for the Three Jewels Outreach Center, develops curriculum for YSI, leads international youth retreats, and leads meditation and yoga teacher trainings.
Michael Johnson
Michael been a full-time yoga instructor for over twenty years, a teacher trainer since 2003 and an advanced teacher trainer since 2007. After travelling to India to study in Mysore and sitting for three 10-day Vipassanā retreats, Michael studied Himalayan philosophy and took the Jīvamukti Yoga Teacher Training in 2007, where he met Stephanie Howarth. After marrying her, we moved to Asheville, NC in 2010.
SInce then he has been a teacher trainer at the Asheville Yoga Center offering courses on the Yogasūtra, Haṭhyogapradīpikā, Bhagavadgītā, Sanskrit, Mantra, Bhakti Vinyāsa and the intersection of Meditation and Neuroscience.
During the pandemic he began studying with Dr. Shyam Ranganathan and learned how to better navigate issues of trauma, recovery, cultural appropriation, decolonizing and teaching Yoga as a stand alone philosophy.
You can find Michael’s many courses online at www.clearlightyoga.com.
Are you ready to deepen your self-awareness, cultivate inner peace, and live with greater purpose?
Our 5-day Bhagavad Gita course offers a transformative experience that will empower you to navigate life's challenges with grace and wisdom.
Bhagavad Gita:
The Song of Victory I
February 6 - 10, 2025
Join YSI & Geshe Michael Roach for a five day virtual & in-person course.
COME FOR THE TEACHING;
STAY FOR THE COMMUNITY
EMBODY A
YOGIC LIFESTYLE
STREAM 10 DAYS
OF LIVE TEACHINGS
Sanskrit Classes with Michael Johnson
In-Depth Classes
with Earle Birney
Live Asana + Meditation
with YSI Instructors
Verse Translations + Course Work
Access to Webinars
Master Classes with
Geshe Michael Roach
Song of Victory 1 is a unique introduction to the most famous text on yoga: Bhagavad Gita
R O A D M A P :
Song of Victory 1 is a unique introduction to the most famous text on yoga: Bhagavad Gita
R O A D M A P :
The Song of Victory 1
February 6 - 10
The Song of Victory 2
Q3 2025
The Song of Victory 3
Q1 2026
The Song of Victory 4
Q3 2026
Topics & Benefits:
Inner Clarity and Self-Discovery
This course answers why we need guidance in life.
The main character, Arjuna, and his dilemma represents the universal struggle we all face: making difficult decisions while confronting personal fears, attachments, and doubts.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches that understanding your true nature and overcoming internal conflict is the path to peace and wisdom.
Practical Application in Daily Life
Integrate ancient wisdom as modern-day life skills.
Gain the tools to see life from a deeper, more spiritual perspective:
- surrendering to higher guidance
- releasing attachment to outcomes
- re-framing challenges as opportunities for growth
- build emotional intelligence by fostering mindfulness
Journey to Inner Victory
What if you could face any challenge without fear or hesitation?
By embraing the same lessons Arjuna faces in battle, you will learn to transform stress, fear, and uncertainty into growth & clarity The teachings of the Gita show us we are capable of developing the capacity to choose compassion and wisdom even in highly stressful experiences.
45 CEUs upon completion
5 days of live teachings
Certificate of Completion
LIVE COURSE + BONUSES
5 Days of Live Content, 20+ Hours of Classes
5 Full Days of Live Course Content via Zoom
6 Master Classes + QAs
5 In-Depth Study Sessions
5 Sanskrit Classes
5 Live Asana & Meditation Classes
Digital Manual + Coursework Materials
Webinar #1: Journey Into Wisdom, An Introduction to Bhagavad Gita
Webinar #2: Exploring the Connection Between the Bhagavad Gita and Lady Niguma
***
Thursday 2/6 + Friday 2/7
Asana & Mediation - 5:30 - 6:45
Break - 6:45 - 7:00
In Depth Study - 7:00 - 8:15
Break - 8:15 - 8:30
Sanskrit - 8:30 - 9:15
Break - 9:15 - 15:45
Master Class - 15:45 - 17:00
Break - 17:00 - 17:30
Master Class - 17:30 - 18:30
***
Saturday 2/8
Asana - 5:30 - 6:30
Break - 6:30 - 7:00
Mediation - 7:00 - 7:45
Break - 7:45 - 8:00
Xuanzang’s Tower - 8:00 - 9:30
Break - 9:30 - 15:45
Sanskrit - 15:45 - 16:30
Break - 16:30 - 16:45
In Depth Study - 16:45 - 18:00
***
Sunday 2/9
Sanskrit - 6:00 - 6:45
Break - 6:45 - 7:00
In Depth Study - 7:00 - 8:15
Break - 8:15 - 8:30
Asana & Mediation - 8:30 - 9:45
Break - 9:45 - 15:45
Master Class - 15:45 - 17:00
Break - 17:00 - 17:30
Master Class - 17:30 - 18:30
***
Monday 2/10
Sanskrit - 6:00 - 6:45
Break - 6:45 - 7:00
In Depth Study - 7:00 - 8:15
Break - 8:15 - 8:30
Asana & Mediation - 8:30 - 9:45
Break - 9:45 - 16:00
Xuanzang’s Tower - 16:00 - 18:30
LIVE COURSE + BONUSES
5 Days of Live Content, 20+ Hours of Classes
5 Full Days of Live Course Content via Zoom
6 Master Classes + QAs
5 In-Depth Study Sessions
5 Sanskrit Classes
5 Live Asana & Meditation Classes
Digital Manual + Coursework Materials
Webinar #1: Journey Into Wisdom, An Introduction to Bhagavad Gita
Webinar #2: Exploring the Connection Between the Bhagavad Gita and Lady Niguma
***
Thursday 2/6 + Friday 2/7
Asana & Mediation - 7:30 - 8:45
Break - 8:45 - 9:00
In Depth Study - 9:00 - 10:15
Break - 10:15 - 10:30
Sanskrit - 10:30 - 11:15
Break - 11:15 - 17:45
Master Class - 17:45 - 19:00
Break - 19:00 - 19:30
Master Class - 19:30 - 20:30
***
Saturday 2/8
Asana - 7:30 - 8:30
Break - 8:30 - 9:00
Mediation - 9:00 - 9:45
Break - 9:45 - 10:00
Xuanzang’s Tower - 10:00 - 11:30
Break - 11:30 - 17:45
Sanskrit - 17:45 - 18:30
Break - 18:30 - 18:45
In Depth Study - 18:45 - 20:00
***
Sunday 2/9
Sanskrit - 8:00 - 8:45
Break - 8:45 - 9:00
In Depth Study - 9:00 - 10:15
Break - 10:15 - 10:30
Asana & Mediation - 10:30 - 11:45
Break - 11:45 - 17:45
Master Class - 17:45 - 19:00
Break - 19:00 - 19:30
Master Class - 19:30 - 20:30
***
Monday 2/10
Sanskrit - 8:00 - 8:45
Break - 8:45 - 9:00
In Depth Study - 9:00 - 10:15
Break - 10:15 - 10:30
Asana & Mediation - 10:30 - 11:45
Break - 11:45 - 18:00
Xuanzang’s Tower - 18:00 - 20:30
Learn from Master Teacher Michael Roach
Michael Roach is the first American to complete the “Geshe” degree after 25 years of study in India. At the same time, he helped found Andin International Diamond Corporation in New York City; he used yogic principles to grow it from a small investment to garnering $250 million USD in annual sales. Then, super-investor Warren Buffet purchased Andin in 2009. Geshe Michael used almost all of the profits from the sale to create and support several charitable organizations, one of which was an input project that has now digitized over two million pages of Asia's classic philosophical texts.
Get the essence of the essence of the most essential text in yoga philosophy.
Considered as one the world's foremost English translators for Eastern philosophical texts, Geshe Michael has translated tens of thousands of pages of ancient manuscripts from Sanskrit and Tibetan into English.
He has founded over 40 organizations which bring the wisdom of yoga to the world, one of which is an input project that has now digitized over two million pages of Asia's classic philosophical texts and has become the worlds largest free digital library of Eastern cultural texts.
This is how YSI does yoga differently.
Learn with Earle Birney
Earle has studied with the Yoga Studies Institute (YSI) since 2006 where he completed the five year curriculum covering the essential texts of yoga philosophy including the Yoga Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita as well as the Lady Niguma and Heart Yoga systems. He has studied with many great teachers in the Ashtanga, Bikram, Anusara, and Sivananda systems as well and is a 500 hr E-RYT. He has produced and taught at international retreats as well as completed a three year three month and three day silent meditation retreat. At present Earle is living in New York where he teaches for the Three Jewels Outreach Center, develops curriculum for YSI, leads international youth retreats, and leads meditation and yoga teacher trainings.
Learn with Michael Johnson
Michael has been a full-time yoga instructor for over twenty years, a teacher trainer since 2003 and an advanced teacher trainer since 2007. After travelling to India to study in Mysore and sitting for three 10-day Vipassanā retreats, Michael studied Himalayan philosophy and took the Jīvamukti Yoga Teacher Training in 2007, where he met Stephanie Howarth. After marrying her, we moved to Asheville, NC in 2010. SInce then he has been a teacher trainer at the Asheville Yoga Center offering courses on the Yogasūtra, Haṭhyogapradīpikā, Bhagavadgītā, Sanskrit, Mantra, Bhakti Vinyāsa and the intersection of Meditation and Neuroscience. During the pandemic he began studying with Dr. Shyam Ranganathan and learned how to better navigate issues of trauma, recovery, cultural appropriation, decolonizing and teaching Yoga as a stand alone philosophy.
Why learn with the Yoga Studies Institute?
We do yoga differently. If you've taken our other courses and classes, then you already know that! When practice is based in original yogic wisdom, it just feels different. We source our material from over two million pages of classic Asian texts, which our partners at the Asian Legacy Library have preserved and digitized. Together, our teams have taken painstaking measures to translate, understand, and apply the original yogic texts, all so that we could share them with you in a clear and accessible way.
Having a lineage of authentic wisdom is important.
We believe this information must be integrated through years of practice and meditative contemplation. Many of our instructors have completed over 1,000 days of silent meditation retreat, practicing yoga and synthesizing this knowledge into experiential wisdom.