Public Horses:
A Kindness Warrior's Way of Life in the Diamond World
"Once we see this final reality ourselves, we gain all the strength we need to be a perfect public horse: to help everyone around us in the world, immediately and directly."
~ Geshe Michael Roach
This is the first chapter of Geshe Michael's Advanced Teachings at YSI. Students will embark on a three-year course series based on Master Shantideva’s classic: A Guide to the Kindness Warrior’s Way of Life.
In addition, across four days of study and yoga practice, you will explore the 4 truths and 16 aspects of the Preface to learn what it means to become a “public horse,” a person whose training leads them to the Diamond World.
Course Details
Dates: November 12–15, 2026
Format: Four-day live online intensive
Teachers: Geshe Michael Roach, Earle Birney, Connie O’Brien, and YSI instructors
Level: Open to all levels; no prerequisites required.
Pay in one payment here.
What You Will Experience
During the course, you will:
- Learn what it means to become a Public Horse through Geshe Michael's brand new translation of Master Shantideva's essential text: A Guide to the Kindness Warrior’s Way of Life.
- Geshe Michael's perspective with yogic flavor on what he called the "most important thing I've ever done..." his Preface to the recently published Illumination of True Thought by Je Tsongkapa.
- Tune into Interviews with Great Practitioners with Earle Birney as he interviews long term yoga practitioners, like Connie O’Brien, John Brady, Ben Kramer, on how to develop the six skills of a kindness warrior.
- Practice asana and meditation designed by YSI Instructors to support deeper study and service
- Start your journey into a new three-year Advanced Yoga Teachings program
- Study the six skills that when practiced, even imperfectly, sow the seeds for your own perfection.
- Explore how kindness becomes a complete path of study, practice, and service
- Extended Q&A sessions with YSI’s senior teachers
- Learn how these teachings apply to everyday life, relationships, work, and practice
What Is Included
Your registration includes:
- 4 Days of live teaching
- 6 Master classes with Geshe Michael Roach
- 4 Interviews with Great Practitioners with Earle BIrney
- 4 Asana and meditation sessions
- 1 Guided meditation by Geshe Michael Roach
- 1 Extended Q&A with Earle Birney and Connie O’Brien
- Access to the YSI learning platform + community chat
- Recordings of all classes and lifetime access
Who This Course Is For
Public Horses is an open-level course. No previous YSI courses are required.
It is especially suitable for:
- Students who have completed YSI’s Classics of Yoga and are ready for the next stage
- Students interested in Master Shantideva’s teachings
- Practitioners interested in service and living a life that benefits others
- Yoga teachers looking for greater philosophical depth
- Anyone who wants to understand how inner practice can become visible through the way we live and serve
What Happens After Registration
After completing your registration:
- You will receive a confirmation email.
- Public Horses will appear in your YSI student dashboard.
- You will receive access information for the live sessions.
- Course materials and coursework will be available through the learning platform.
- Recordings will be added after each class.
Please check your spam or promotions folder if you do not receive your confirmation email.
Support
Questions about registration or course access?
