Yoga Studies

Interested in studying Yoga Beyond the Mat? 

The Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley offers fully accredited Certificate, Masters, and Doctoral programs that focus on the academic study of Yoga.

Students in the Yoga Studies concentration study Hindu and Jain yoga traditions with attention to research topics such as:

  • Contemplative yoga
  • Yoga of self-knowledge (jñāna)
  • Yoga of devotional love (bhakti)
  • Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali
  • The Bhagavad Gītā

Other themes to be explored include:

  • Immortality and Liberation
  • Tantra Yoga
  • Dharma and Yoga philosophy
  • Nāda Yoga (the yoga of sound vibration and music)
  • Yoga and the West
  • Yoga, Health, and Healing

For more information about Yoga Studies, complete an inquiry form or contact the GTU Admissions Office at admissions@gtu.edu or 510-649-2460.

Applicants to the PhD program are expected to enter with some language skills and some academic background in yoga studies.  Applicants to the Certificate and MA Yoga Studies programs at the Graduate Theological Union are expected to have academic preparation in the humanities and some training in yoga specifically, but are not required to have extensive academic background in Hindu or Jain yoga traditions.  Prospective students are encouraged to contact the GTU Admissions department or the Center for Dharma Studies directly to discuss potential research topics and prior educational experience in order to determine a fit within the program.

About the Center for Dharma Studies