A Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya
Yoga is not an ancient myth buried in oblivion.It is the most valuable inheritance of the present.It is the essential need of today and the culture of tomorrow. Swami Sivananda Sarswati. This book is the most comprehensive text ever published on yoga. It contains a complete course of 36 structured lessons on all the practices of integral yoga. The lessons were compiled from the teachings given by Swami Satyananda Saraswati and are useful as a practical and theoretical guide for all levels of yoga teachers and aspirants. The book presents a synthesis of yoga in a scientific and systematic manner. The different branches of hatha yoga, mantra yoga, karma yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga and kriya yoga are progressively introduced with special emphasis on practice, theory and application in daily life. Includes line drawings,diagrams and colour plates. The depth of knowledge this book contains provides the link between you,the practitoner of yoga and an experienced guide and teacher.This link is your sadhana(spiritual practice),the beginning of your inner transformation,spiritual awakening and realization of higher ideals in life. The techniques covered in this book have their basis in the ancient vedic (tantric and yogic) shastras and were handed over the centuries from guru to disciple. Now in an age when travel and communication have become almost instantaneous affairs and there are more efficient methods of disseminating wisdom than the human voice and ear,we wish to offer these transcendatal instruments of grace to all who have eyes to read and ears to hear.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars This book is not a cosmic joke
People who believe this book is a cosmic joke will unfortunately miss out on an unique opportunity here to learn aspects from yoga which were only available from very advanced yoga teachers and gurus. If you could say that there would be a bible on yoga, which I don’t think you can, you could say that this is the definite bible on yoga.
When I got the book and looked in it I was surprised and overwhelmed to find so much text in it compared to just a few illustrations. The usual yoga book has lots of photographs with instructions, however these books often miss out on the very essential information to practice yoga not just as a stretch or fitness exercise, which certainly do have benefits. I always knew there was a lot more to yoga than was presented to me and I’ve been doing different types of yoga for over 20 years.
If you want to get more out of your yoga practice, this is absolutely the book for you. It tells you about all the other aspects of yoga and specifically about kriya yoga.
The book gives an outline to practice yoga and it is suitable for anybody, from beginners to very advanced yoga practicians.Even though is has a lot of text it is a very practical course in yoga and easy to follow. It is very readable and understandable and he gives very down to ground information about the “higher consciousness” aspects of yoga.
I love it and it is worth every penny I paid for it.
5 Stars THIS IS THE ONLY BOOK ON YOGA YOULL EVER NEED
If I were to have only ONE book on yoga it would be this. Covers EVERYTHING. Perfect for students and teachers alike. Worth every penny. Its HUGE! I love this book so much. So much information, and I agree with other reviewers. Dont be intimidated.
And please, dont listen to the person who gave this a 1 star saying that some little man in India is laughing all the way to bank…whatever to you, I hope you find peace within yourself. Im sure The Bihar School of Yoga in India is sad for people like you. Im sorry you feel that way and had to publically give a 1 star without even reading the book Im SURE. All proceeds from all BSOY go back to the ashrams, schools and to other charitable causes!
This book is a treasure that I carry like a BIBLE!
JAI Swami Satyananda, JAI SIVANANDA! Om Namah Sivaya!
5 Stars If you only read one book about yoga in your life.
This book is very complete, and yet doesn’t focus on the extreme aspects that make so many people think that they ‘can’t do yoga’. You -can- do yoga, without being a “circus performer”, (as is mentioned in the book). As there is no unecessary physical extreme here, there is also no judgement of motive: You want to do yoga / you have your reasons / yoga is good / any motives to do yoga are good motives. Teaching by good example, rather than rules; inspirational.
1 Star Cosmic joke
If you paid $80 for this book, somewhere in India a stout little man in orange is laughing all the way to the bank.
5 Stars Don’t be intimidated
This is an imposing volume for sure, the great length and expense of the book may lead some people to try something else. I encourage you to go ahead and try this one if you have any inclination to do so. It starts you out gently, the first chapter contains some exercises to increase the flexibility in ankles, hips, and knees, and the only meditative pose given is shavasana or corpse pose, which is just laying on your back on the floor. You can handle that. The method given of moving from boat pose into corpse pose for relaxation is fantastic. Everything is explained thoroughly and aimed at a complete novice, though the explanatory text is rewarding even for those already versed in yoga practices.
The course also provides some bodily cleansing methods which may freak you out a little bit. Right off the bat they give you Jala Neti which requires you to pour salt water into one nostril and have it flow out the other one. This feels odd at first but you get used to it and even start to crave it after a few days.
You spend as long as it takes to fully assimilate each chapter before moving on to the next. Fantastic progress can be made in an hour a day, though it looks like as you reach the more advanced teachings that time will increase.
So don’t be intimidated, begin this journey.
