‘Religiousness in Yoga: Lectures on Theory and Practice’ by the University Press of America,
a transcript of recordings of a one month Yoga Programme in Colgate University in 1976, published in 1980.

Unlike the later redacted edition, re-published in 1995 as the ‘Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice’, it captures the evolution of the retreat with the days lectures and Q & A dialogues as they alternated between ‘lectures on the principles and purposes of Yoga and discussions related to the practice of Yoga with special reference to the postures and the breathing techniques’.

TKV Desikachar, in his forward to the original version wrote:

“These lectures and discussions, printed words
put before persons I might never meet,
are but reflections of that deeper result that
grew out of a living face-to-face encounter.
Coming to learn of Yoga only through reading leaves much to be desired.
Yet, something worthwhile about Yoga might be shared
through the medium of the printed word.”

A chapter by chapter Study guide is offered below with added Yoga Sūtra verse and word cross-references to support a a deeper linking with the teachings within these lectures and Q & A sessions.

Chapter One Theory: The Meaning and Purpose of Yoga – Pages 1-12

 1. Origin of Yoga – Page 1

• View
• Source
• Authority

2. Definition of Yoga – Pages 1-3

• To Converge – Yoga Sūtra I 2
• To reach a new point – Bhagavad Gītā Rāmānuja’s commentary to II 45
• To act fully focused – Bhagavad Gītā II 50
• To be one with the Lord – Yoga Sūtra I 29

3. Common Points – Page 3

• Direction
• Goal is a personal matter

4. Prerequisites – Page 3

• No beliefs
• Universal concept

5. How to Start – Pages 3-4

• Through Text/Āsana/Breath
• Changes are effects
• Practice must become holistic
• Yoga Sūtra deals with all aspects

6. Why Practice – Pages 4-5

• Desire to be better

7. Definition of Avidyā – Pages 5-6

• Yoga Sūtra II 5
• Saṃskāra
• Expresses through the “I”
• Aim of practice to reduce

8. How Avidyā Manifests – Pages 6-7

• Kleśa – Yoga Sūtra II 3
• Avidyā is source – Yoga Sūtra II 4
• Action of Yoga – Yoga Sūtra. II 2

9. Question on Inherence of Avidyā – Page 7-8

• Avidyā latent in memory – Yoga Sūtra II 9

10. Question on how to Reduce Avidyā – Page 8

• Reduction of effects – Yoga Sūtra II 4

11. Question on Vidyā – Pages 8-10

• Signs of Vidyā
• Reality is Sat Kārya Vāda
• Change is Pariṇāma Kārya Vāda
• Sādhana is the Means – Yoga Sūtra Pāda II
• Effects in Cycles – Yoga Sūtra III 9

12. Question on Seer or Puruṣa – Page 10

• Draṣṭṛ or Puruṣa – Yoga Sūtra I 3, IV 18
• All Puruṣa the same – Yoga Sūtra II 20

13. Question on Starting Point – Pages 10-12

• Purpose of Avidyā – Yoga Sūtra II 16
• Dhyāna – Yoga Sūtra II 10
• Action or Kriyā Yoga – Yoga Sūtra II 1
• Yoga as Action and Result – Yoga Sūtra II 2

Follow this link for a Downloadable PDF version of  the Chapter One Study Guide.