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suffering & freedom online course

Suffering & Freedom:

A Journey Through The Five Kleshas with Ben Kalra

Explore the timeless roots of suffering and a framework for freedom through the lens of yoga philosophy in this immersive course from Ben Kalra. Drawing primarily from the Yoga Sutras, you’ll examine the Five Kleshas as the cause of suffering and Kriya Yoga as a practical map for overcoming them. Move through key SÅ«tras, clarify terms that often get oversimplified and trace how these teachings function as an integrated system.
The goal of this course is not only to learn about the Kleshas and Kriya Yoga as concepts, but to apply them as tools for transformation both on the mat and in the patterns of everyday life.
If you’ve ever wondered why suffering exists, how it perpetuates itself, and what yoga proposes as a path toward freedom – this course is for you.

The Five Kleshas: Suffering

Ignorance (Avidya)

Egoism (Asmita)

Attachment (Raga)

Aversion (Dvesha)

Fear of Death (Abhinivesha)

Kriya Yoga: Freedom

Discipline (Tapas)

Self-Study (Svadhyaya)

Surrender, Devotion (Ishvara-Pranidhana)

Meet your guide:

Ben Kalra (E-RYT 500, YACEP) is a yoga teacher based in North Carolina who travels internationally to lead trainings, workshops, and retreats. His teaching blends classical yoga philosophy with a creative approach to asana that emphasizes structure, imagination, and alignment.

He is a Katonah Yoga® teacher and continues to study with his mentor Abbie Galvin. He has also completed two 300-hour advanced yoga trainings through Shivakali Yoga and with Jonah Kest, which further developed his skills in Vinyasa, pranayama, and meditation.

His teaching style is both serious and lighthearted. Ben views yoga as a slow-burning practice of liberation and as a tool for living well in a body and in the world. He believes good teaching should be clear, human, and occasionally humorous. He uses adjustments, props, and metaphor to help students cultivate a meaningful and sustainable practice.

Exploring yoga philosophy through a deeper lens

This course is designed to make esoteric, deep philosophical information digestible, enjoyable, and applicable to everyday life. Together with Ben, you’ll take a journey through The Kleshas to uncover the roots of suffering and how Kriya yoga can help to alleviate them.

Module 1. Course Overview

An introduction to yogic teachings on suffering and freedom through the five Kleshas and Kriya Yoga

Module 2. The Five Kleshas

An exploration of how the mind creates suffering and how Yoga philosophy reveals that much of this suffering can be prevented

Module 3. Kriya Yoga

An introduction to the three practices of Kriya Yoga that reduce the Kleshas and purify the mind for deeper yoga

Module 4. Closing & Next Steps

A closing reflection that integrates key insights and invites commitment to a simple practice carried forward in life

Exclusive *LIVE* Workshop

In addition to this on-demand course, subscribe today and gain access to an exclusive live workshop with Ben Kalra on February 6th at 2 pm EST. In this 90 minute online workshop, Ben will bring the concepts from this self-paced course to life. Register in the ‘live’ section of the app after starting your free trial.

If you can’t make the live session, don’t worry – we will send a recording!

Start your free trial today!

In addition to this course, you’ll also gain access daily live & on-demand classes, series, workshops and more. *Membership renews at discounted rate.

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