I’ve never done yoga or studied philosophy, can I still attend the sangha?

Yes! Anyone is welcome. The information presented in the sangha is accessible and relatable, and you can jump in anytime. There are no prerequisites, and any philosophical references will be clearly explained and contextualized. We welcome all voices and perspectives.

What are some of the topics you cover in the sangha?

We call upon early texts such as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Bhagavad Gita, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, and others. These texts outline principles of living that encourage things like non-attachment, honesty and non-harming, along with practices for physical health, all things we can apply in our everyday lives.

I’m a practicing Christian, Buddhist, Atheist, meditator, etc., will the sangha conflict with my religious beliefs?

Sangha participants come from a wide variety of spiritual traditions, sometimes more than one. Given that yoga is the root of everything we teach, we mostly discuss topics in that lineage (which has its own roots in Hinduism). That said, these principles have universal appeal and require no religious belief whatsoever. Yoga can mean a purely physical practice, a process of spiritual growth, or a winding journey combining the two, and navigating that balance is a personal choice.

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Community Sangha At Continuum Yoga Studio In Bend

At Continuum Yoga Studio, our classes are structured around time-tested principles of practice rather than modern “hacks” or shortcuts; basic philosophy is woven into every class. The free community sangha is an additional opportunity to take the principles of yoga off the mat and into our everyday lives. Offered one Friday per month, the community sangha is an accessible, collaborative opportunity to gather with others, reflect on the wisdom of early texts, and grapple with the big questions of life.

What Is The Community Sangha?

“Sangha'' traditionally meant society, or a gathering of people who share common values, and we have revitalized this concept here at Continuum Yoga Studio. Offered one Friday per month, each session begins with a short meditation, followed by discussion of a philosophical principle sourced from early yogic texts. We discuss the topic in the context of everyday life, sharing as much or as little as you like. The lightly facilitated discussion lasts about an hour, followed by 30 minutes of casual conversation and mingling. We provide herbal tea to share in community.

Participants appreciate the opportunity to gather outside of a typical yoga classroom and discuss the principles that undergird the practice. Some of the topics we’ve covered include non-harming (ahimsa), contentment (santosha), navigating difficult situations (pratipaksha bhavanam) and internal friction as fuel for spiritual growth (tapas). We implement a 100% compassion policy toward self and others and co-create an open, supportive environment of sharing and listening. Our intention is to build real connections among real people engaged in the messy, unpredictable business of life, and we welcome you to attend anytime.

JOIN COMMUNITY SANGHA

All Are Welcome to Attend

Anyone is welcome to attend our community sangha, with or without a background in yoga or any other spiritual tradition. We have chairs and bolsters for seating, and you can drop in anytime. The sanghas are always free, but we ask that you register ahead of time so we have enough tea mugs for everyone.

Please check the class schedule for the next sangha, or sign up for our newsletter for monthly reminders and updates.